AUSTIN — The Austin City Council is set to vote on Thursday, April 9, 2026, on the proposed location for a new public safety radio tower in the hills above Lake Austin, intended to close a critical radio coverage gap for police, fire, and emergency medical services in central Austin.
The city is seeking to acquire about a quarter-acre of land at the end of Mount Larson Road, currently owned by NW Communications of Austin, Inc. After negotiations with the property owner failed, the city plans to use eminent domain to secure the property. City documents indicate the tower would eliminate reliance on leased space at another location, potentially saving about $200,000 annually, while giving first responders direct control over radio infrastructure.
The property is already surrounded by several broadcast towers, and the city’s current appraisal values the targeted land at approximately $61,505, though that figure could increase depending on any damages or reconfigurations needed for NW Communications’ remaining operations.
Once built, the tower would become part of the Greater Austin–Travis County Regional Radio System, which currently operates 17 towers. Construction and operational costs will be shared among the City of Austin, Travis County, Austin Independent School District, and the University of Texas at Austin.
The land acquisition is listed as a non-consent agenda item, requiring a separate council vote. Texas law mandates that governing bodies authorize eminent domain before a condemnation case can proceed. Any disputes are expected to focus on compensation rather than whether the tower will be constructed.
