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The Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) is the city agency proposing the installation of nine 32-foot tall 5G Monopole Towers (collectively, “towers”) in Carnegie Hill. Illuminated, active video screen kiosks attached to some, in the commercial zone, will generate ad revenue and house interactive tablets to provide free internet, device charging, city services, and nationwide calling via speakerphone.

Carnegie Hill comprises just under 15% of the Upper East Side, but 50% of the towers slated for installation on the Upper East Side are in Carnegie Hill; amounting to an inequitable distribution of the towers.

OTI states this installation plan will be minimally invasive and meant to bridge the digital divide in New York City.  This makes no sense.  Carnegie Hill is oversaturated with broadband and Wi-Fi capacity at the residential and institutional levels, and in the area's public and passive green spaces.  There is no significant gap in broadband or Wi-Fi service in Carnegie Hill, where mobile penetration is well over 100%.

THESE TOWERS ARE NOT NEEDED IN CARNEGIE HILL.

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Don't Sell Our Streets to 5G Towers

5G Tower Locations

If you are having trouble viewing this map or would like a more detailed breakdown, click here.

Of the 90 planned towers going up, 20 are being placed in historic districts. Only 13 are going up in designated Equity Community Districts despite OTI's commitment to eliminating broadband deserts by placing 90% of towers in underserved areas of the city.

Map data sourced from NYC Open Data and Patch.com

Concerns on 5G Rollout

There is no debate that New York City’s technology infrastructure must be enhanced and advanced. 5G

has the potential to revolutionize many industries and can help to drive economic growth and innovation.

Moreover, the buildout of 5G infrastructure can help bridge the digital divide by providing internet

accessibility to thousands of underserved New Yorkers. New York City must be a leader in bringing

equitable 5G access to the public.

However, many New Yorkers have reported serious concerns about the site selection, outreach, and

community engagement process. People have reported not adequately being informed about the

placement of 5G towers in their neighborhoods, and many have questioned specific site selections and the

fundamental need for the new towers taking up vital public space. Better communication and more

education must be pursued.

Additionally, the design of the 5G towers and infrastructure is concerning. These structures create

considerable bulk on sidewalks and can negatively impact the visual appeal or even historic character of

our neighborhoods. It is important that the city works with service providers to ensure that the placement

and design of 5G infrastructure is carefully considered and sensitive to the aesthetic, historic, and public

space concerns of the community.

The City must slow the expansion of 5G infrastructure in residential areas and focus on commercial

corridors until the recommendations below are fully explored:

Review the City’s overall 5G infrastructure programs and develop a strategy that prioritizes

installation at sites using existing public infrastructure, such as streetlights and traffic signals, and

identify City-owned property, including bus stops, that can be modified or reinforced to become

eligible for 5G siting. This could help minimize the amount of public space on our sidewalks

being taken by this needed infrastructure and ensure there is ample space for people on our

streets.

  • All relevant agencies must work together to comprehensively review all city infrastructure to

ensure the full utilization of public property, furniture and infrastructure for the advancement or

our city’s economy, including for electrification, sustainability, and instillation of 5G

infrastructure.

  • A public education campaign must be created to inform the public of the benefits and safety of

5G, including how it directly impacts their daily lives.

  • The process must be made transparent and accountable. All public notifications and

presentations must include which service providers utilize each 5G tower. Existing franchise

agreements for wireless and internet service should be amended to ensure better transparency.

  • Alternative designs should be identified that can reduce the visual impact and public space

needed for future installations.

  • Work with local artists, non-profits and community-based organizations to paint and otherwise

improve the overall aesthetics and reduce the visual impact of 5G towers so they contribute

positively and contextually to our public spaces.

Every neighborhood in Manhattan is unique and different, but, with care and sensitivity, the City can

embrace the opportunities that LinkNYC and other 5G infrastructure can bring while also balancing the

needs of each community.

Find letter of support for our opposition to 5G towers from community organizations and elected officials below.

5G Tower Mockups

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Contact your elected officials!

Don't want 5G towers in your neighborhood? Contact your local elected officials and let them know what you think.

Mayor Eric Adams

Contact here: https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/mayor-contact.page

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine

Email: mark.levine@manhattanbp.nyc.gov 

Phone number: 212-669-8300

District 28 State Senator Liz Kruger

Email: lkrueger@nysenate.gov 

Phone number: 212-490-9535

District 73 Assemblymember Alex Borres

Email: boresa@nyassembly.gov 

Phone number: 212-605-0937

District 75 Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright

Email: SeawrightR@nyassembly.gov 

Phone number: 212-288-4607

District 4 City Council Representative Keith Powers

Email: kpowers@council.nyc.gov 

Phone number: 212-818-0580

District 5 City Council Representative Julie Menin

Email: jmenin@council.nyc.gov

Phone number:212-860-1950

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