| Self-storage facilities are usually good locations for | | | | is not going anywhere but up, so is the demand |
| the development of cell towers. Here's a little | | | | for improved wireless coverage to meet |
| secret the big self-storage chains don't want | | | | coverage and capacity demand. |
| independent storage property owners to know. | | | | Getting your site in front of the carriers can be |
| The big guys know that in general, self-storage | | | | done by submitting them directly through the |
| properties are tend to favor cell phone tower | | | | various corporate carrier websites. In this case |
| development for several different reasons. | | | | there is probably less than a 1% chance of |
| Here are a few: | | | | getting your site selected. Also, cutting through all |
| 1. Location | | | | the intricacy's of a wireless lease can be tricky, |
| 2. Location | | | | even for a good real estate attorney. My |
| 3. Location | | | | suggestion is to find a wireless consulting firm with |
| Zoning comes in at a distant 4th place. | | | | integrity that you can work with. |
| There are also about as many storage facilities in | | | | The bottom line is that income generated through |
| the USA as there are cell towers. The funny thing | | | | the successful negotiation of a cell tower lease |
| is that many of the larger property management | | | | and construction of a cellular tower at your |
| companies actually have hired consultants who try | | | | storage facility is dollar-for-dollar the best use of |
| to promote their sites to attract the ancillary | | | | 2,000 square feet of ground space that you can |
| income generated by renting space to wireless | | | | get just about anywhere. |
| carriers. Ironically, not many of them are very | | | | On our corporate website we go into detail |
| good at wireless development, and due to | | | | regarding specific steps to take if you want to |
| turnover, it's actually easier to get a cellular | | | | increase the chances of your site being selected. |
| service provider interested in looking at your | | | | Essentially, the more information you give them |
| property if you are an independent owner. | | | | about your site, the better. Can you get a cell |
| Here's another bit of insight. | | | | tower built on your storage property on your |
| About 100,000 new cell towers need to be built in | | | | own with the help of an industry expert? Yes. |
| the USA in the next 7-10 years in addition to the | | | | Can partnering with a tower consultant increase |
| ones we already have. What if only 5% of them | | | | your chances of site selection? Yes. Especially if |
| get developed on storage sites? The average | | | | you own and operate a portfolio of storage |
| 3-carrier cellular monopole pays around $2 million in | | | | facilities. |
| rent over an average 25-30 year rental term. | | | | So here's the $2 million dollar question... |
| Also, wireless industry experts agree that over | | | | Do you have 2,000 square feet of available |
| 70% of the American population use cellular | | | | ground space on your site where a carrier can |
| phones. Just like the need for self storage facilities | | | | place a tower? |