Verizon initially was eager to construct 5G towers around the City of Fishers and many are in operation.  However, in recent months and years, Verizon has stopped construction of these towers.  Once right-of-way is granted for the towers, Verizon has two years to at least begin construction.  At Tuesday morning’s Board of Works and Safety meeting, Tami Houston, Assistant Engineer for the city, told the board seven such tower rights-of-way have had the two-year period expire, leading to the board vote revoking those rights-of-way.  Houston told Mayor Scott Fadness there are about 80 such rights-of-way set to expire in the future if Verizon chooses not to construct towers at those locations, with 30-35 such grants expiring soon.  Verizon has not commented on why it has chosen to stop constructing 5G towers in Fishers.

In other matters before the board:

–The board voted to  expand the current 25 mph speed limit on 116th St from Commercial Drive further to the west to Holland Drive. Currently it is from Commercial Drive to Fishers Point Blvd.

–Janitorial services for the city will continue with Kleenit Group following a contract extension going through 2026.  The contract cost will remain the same at $585,000, with  reduction in services in areas such as the frequency of vacuum cleaning carpet and trash removal.  Once the new City Hall and Arts complex opens, there will be a 3% increase in the cost in 2026 and again in 2026 to handle cleaning at that facility.

–The aforementioned Tami Houston was recognized by the Board and Director of Engineering Hatem Mekky for her 15 years of service to Fishers.