Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007 - (Page 34)

TRENDS “Generally, developers overlook communication easements,” said Rick Mildner, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Douglasville Development LLC, “but they’re an asset that can be used to benefit both the resident and the developer.” More Responsibility With the control comes more responsibility. Capitalizing on one’s communication rights in a community is an economically sound decision but developers cannot go it alone unless they want to get into the telecommunications business. Once developers grant a private communication easement, they are responsible for providing the infrastructure within the community or partnering with a third party who will invest in their land and build the network for them. This is a critical decision. Building a telecommunication infrastructure and maintaining it are not easy tasks. Here is what developers will need at their disposal to do both: experts in just about everything from design, engineering, architecture, and installation to wiring, fusion splicing, structural upgrading, and network functionality; field crews to perform those tasks; a very large staff to man a 24/7 call center and on-call technicians to maintain the network; providers to deliver services over that network once it is built; and a software application to bill the providers who use the network. In other words, to build and support a successful telecommunications network from end to end, developers will need to start another business. And this undertaking requires 34 October 2007 Sustainable Land Development Today a generous amount of capital…on top of the capital the developer has already invested in the land. Realizing this is not often a very enticing proposition for developers, a partnership with an experienced network builder is typically a better option. And, an easier way for developers to capitalize on their communication easement rights, without having to invest their own capital, is to let a third party manage and fund the entire process. There are telecommunications infrastructure builders who will support residents well into the future. The companies will manage the network start to finish…from designing, building and installing, to operating, supporting, and maintaining it. Why Do It? The only reason to do anything is if the pros outweigh the cons. At this point, communication easements might seem more like a hassle than an opportunity. However, success is not solely dependant on the easements but whether the developer chooses to partner with an infrastructure builder. Experience is priceless. So, let’s take a look at the experiences of one developer who partnered with a third party and one development company that tried it alone. They compare the pros and the cons of communication easements and partnership with network builders. Case Study #1 James Baldridge– Wright Resort Villas & Hotels, Inc. - Orlando, Florida “Most developers look at communications requirements in land development as a necessity rather than an opportunity,” said James Baldridge, President of Wright Resort Villas & Hotels, Inc. His project was a little unusual. Rather than building a traditional subdivision community, his residential units are developed as resort second homes. That means that owners of the units can rent them when they are not residing in them. Because they rent the units, owners expect to find the same level of services in their vacation homes that they would find in a four-star resort. “As it relates to technology, we wanted to provide the traditional hotel-quality telephone services, a wide array of cable television channels including HD programming with Video on Demand, and high speed internet, both hard wired and wireless throughout the property,” said Baldridge. “To find a provider that could accommodate these requirements wasn’t an easy task. The incumbents couldn’t meet these requirements. Plus, we wanted to deal with just one entity.” Communication easements proved to be the answer for Baldridge. To deliver the highest quality of services to his owners, he partnered with a third party who built the infrastructure, managed the skilled service providers and enabled him to meet the needs of his community…creating the one-source solution for which he was looking. When asked about opting for a network builder, Baldridge said, “Bringing in a highly qualified network builder to install, operate and maintain the on-site technology systems allows the developer

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007

Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007 Contents Our Voice Your Voice Editorial Board Mapping the Development Process Looking at a New Dimension The Environmental Liability Continuum GPS System Makes the Grade Regulations: Reactions Mixed Trends: Communications Easements Business Management: Recycling Sustainable Practices: LEED-ND Energy: Community Propane Systems Transportation: Mountain Solutions Recommended Reading Calendar Products/Services Showcase Classifieds Advertiser Index The Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007

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