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KPFT Montrose studios for sale?
- Thread starter JustinT
- Start date
Does KPFT/Pacifica already own the land and building? Or are they just leasing? Could just mean a new landlord.
Haven’t driven by the studios in years…what is going on with adjacent lots? Might be part of a larger redevelopment project, and KPFT is cashing in and perhaps moving elsewhere…
Of course there has been speculation in the past of Pacifica selling KPFT in order to raise money to keep the sister NYC/LA/SF/DC stations going.
Haven’t driven by the studios in years…what is going on with adjacent lots? Might be part of a larger redevelopment project, and KPFT is cashing in and perhaps moving elsewhere…
Of course there has been speculation in the past of Pacifica selling KPFT in order to raise money to keep the sister NYC/LA/SF/DC stations going.
There's been an ongoing battle between the Pacifica Foundation (the licensee) and some of the stations. The various Pacifica blogs are filled with stories of the drama in Berkeley and some continuing problems in NYC. I didn't see anything about this station.
If they do own the land, it might make financial sense to sell it, the way many other stations are selling tower land, and leasing it back. But typically Pacifica stations don't do what would make financial sense.
If they do own the land, it might make financial sense to sell it, the way many other stations are selling tower land, and leasing it back. But typically Pacifica stations don't do what would make financial sense.
KPFT/Pacifica definitely still owns the land and building. Per HCAD, what stands there is appraised for $1.23 million. Not aware of anything going on around that area; it's a few blocks from the enormous redevelopment projects at the the Westheimer/Montrose intersection.
Twitter is pointing to this interview with KPFT's new General Manager from March -- Grassroots Radio. Sounds like the physical building is in terrible shape, and he'd prefer to operate out of a space better suited to their needs. If the property is listed for sale, at least he's making some progress, it would seem.
They've had their fair share of controversies.
I think you're right. IIRC, Crown Castle does lease the land from KPFT. I'm not sure what kind of deal they have, but Crown Castle is also hosting a couple of cellphone providers and KSBJ now on that site.
I'm just not too sure Crown Castle is looking to buy the land though. They usually just lease land when they build new cellphone sites.
KPFT puts building up for sale
KPFT 90.1 has put its studios up for sale at 419 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006 in Montrose.
mikemcguff.blogspot.com
From Inside Radio:
www.insideradio.com
Seems to me the Pacifica Foundation also sold its building in Berkeley. The article quotes a former employee expressing concern that the foundation will use the proceeds from the sale to solve debt issues in other cities, and leave KPFT homeless.
Pacifica Foundation To Sell Building That Is Home To KPFT.
In what is becoming more commonplace in the radio industry, Pacifica Foundation plans to sell-off the building that houses news/talk KPFT Houston to pay-off some of the company’s debt. Officials
Seems to me the Pacifica Foundation also sold its building in Berkeley. The article quotes a former employee expressing concern that the foundation will use the proceeds from the sale to solve debt issues in other cities, and leave KPFT homeless.
Selling the Berkeley studios, selling the Houston studios...🤔.
Then again, CBS has sold Television City, and they're selling their NYC headquarters.
Broadcasting companies are getting out of the real estate business.
IIRC, non-profits don't have to pay property tax in Texas, so it wouldn't make much sense to sell unless they're desperate. For a company like iHeart it would make sense to just sell and then lease back. But for Pacifica I'm not so sure UNLESS it would cost a fortune to fix the building (black mold + lumber prices).
I guess the bean counters know what they're doing.
The article I linked said the building is in terrible condition, and it would cost too much to replace.
At Pacifica, even if the bean counters know what they are doing that's no guarantee the "executives" will be authorized to act upon the result of the counts.
The KPFT license says the tower is at
North Latitude: 29 deg 53min 15 sec
West Longitude: 95 deg 31min 22 sec
It also says the Antenna structure registration number is 1048161, which is located at
North Latitude: 29 Degrees 53 min 16 sec
West Longitude: 95 Degrees 31 min 23.3 sec
7516 Fairbanks North Houston Rd
Its a couple hundred feet of discrepancy
North Latitude: 29 deg 53min 15 sec
West Longitude: 95 deg 31min 22 sec
It also says the Antenna structure registration number is 1048161, which is located at
North Latitude: 29 Degrees 53 min 16 sec
West Longitude: 95 Degrees 31 min 23.3 sec
7516 Fairbanks North Houston Rd
Its a couple hundred feet of discrepancy
So the real question is where is the KPFT studio moving to?
There are a lot of these sorts of discrepancies. Essentially, modern GPS equipment is more accurate than older techniques. There's probably a handful of stations each month which file "technical correction" applications with the FCC to adjust their lat/long coordinates by 1 or 2 seconds.
Who says they have to move into a new place? Haven't they run the station remotely throughout the pandemic? Why not keep that going and save yourself rent/utilities/insurance/etc? I wouldn't be surprised if the station becomes 100% satellite fed tbh.
So this asset is carried on the Pacifica books?
Good property!
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