Project Steps from Start to Finish

Ok, so last blog I discussed what Shaw does and I spoke of what I did for them very briefly.  Well, I more spoke of the exact projects that we handle for Verizon.   In this posting, I hope to cover all aspects to my job (as I now know them…each day seemingly more items get added to my “to-do” list), starting from exactly what processes I have to do for the projects, start to finish.

For both Macro and Small Cell sites, I follow the same plan of action, and at the end, we have a new cell tower in the sky. 

• I receive the job profile from Verizon.  This includes a search ring, tower height, and targeted areas that the radio frequency that Verizon wishes to “hit.”
• I research the areas around the “pinpoint” located on the search ring.  This area is the spot where Verizon would prefer I stay close to.  This is because with the work that their engineers are doing, they see that this area is a “problem” area and the last thing they want is an unhappy customer who can’t pull data or drops a call. 
• For all sites, I need to find 3 candidates.  These candidates can be jurisdictions or private landowners.  Essentially, whoever will work best for Verizon, will “win” and we will then move forward to the next step.
• The design walk is then set up.  My portion of this step is coordinating everyone from the landowner to the engineer to the design firm assigned to the project.  I am there to ensure that what happens on the walk is depicted on the drawings. 
• After the drawings come through from the designers, I recheck that these are correct and route them around Verizon to get their sign off.  I also route the drawings to the landowner and discuss any problems or comments they may have. 
• After the drawings have been approved, it is time to submit for zoning and/or permitting.  This step varies from jurisdiction, but what doesn’t vary – is it is a TIME CONSUMING part of the job!  There are a ton of steps for some of these submittals:

o   Photo simulation

o   Project narrative

o   Coverage maps

o   Environmental reports

o   Public notification

o   Public hearings

This is some, to name a few.  By no means is this comprehensive, but these are some of the things that I must do to get through the P&Z (Permitting and Zoning) at the different cities. 

• Hopefully, if all goes well, there are no changes.  But that rarely happens.  SO, you go back to the drawing board (sometimes) and get it right – because ultimately, the city has the final say.
• At the same time, P&Z is happening, there is a lease that is being negotiated between the landowner and Verizon.  This, as you can imagine, can be very time consuming because when dealing with people and money….it can get hairy. 
• After the negotiating is complete with the lease, oodles of paperwork is needed to be complete and then the “lease package” is sent off to Verizon’s legal team.  This is then checked, the Lease Memo recorded and the final lease is routed for signature.  
• When the final signature has been collected, the last step, for me anyway, is to get the landowner the final executed lease.  This is usually a very happy time for the owner.  The question I always here at this point is, “When can we expect first payment?”
• This is when construction of the site is complete.  Which is usually about 6 months after the lease is signed.  Permitting from construction needs to occur, and then construction starts. 

Time for all these steps – IF it is an “easy” site takes anywhere from 8-10 months.  There are some that take years.  It is not simple to get people to agree OR working around setback issues with the jurisdictions.

I’ll get more into drilling down on each specific bullet point in future posts. 

Thanks for reading!  :)