Radio Tower Home to Three Spokane AMs Comes Down

Why It Matters

The demolition marks a shift from legacy broadcast infrastructure to modern, space‑efficient facilities, while the redevelopment reflects growing pressure on urban land for housing and retail.

Key Takeaways

• Historic 439‑ft tower removed after 90 years of service
• Three Spokane AM stations moving to 360‑ft east tower
• FCC granted Special Temporary Authority for tower transition
• Site slated for residential apartments and shopping complex
• Directionally‑focused antenna will alter coverage patterns

Pulse Analysis

Spokane’s radio skyline has lost a piece of its heritage. The original KXLY tower, erected in 1936, was a pioneering vertical antenna that helped define AM broadcasting in the Pacific Northwest. Shared by three stations through a triplexing system, the 439‑foot structure not only carried historic programming but also served as a technical benchmark for other markets adopting high‑efficiency verticals. Its demolition underscores the end of an era where towering steel structures dominated the airwaves.

The operational shift to the 2003‑built 360‑foot east tower reflects both regulatory flexibility and engineering adaptation. QueenB Radio’s Special Temporary Authority with the FCC allows the three stations to broadcast from a smaller, directional antenna that previously handled only nighttime service for KXLX. While the new tower reduces overall height, its design concentrates signal strength toward target areas, potentially improving daytime coverage for KXLY’s 20 kW non‑directional power while maintaining compliance with nighttime restrictions. Listeners may notice subtle changes in signal reach, especially in fringe zones, but the transition aims to preserve service quality with a more efficient footprint.

Beyond technical considerations, the tower’s removal highlights a broader trend of repurposing broadcast sites for real estate development. Urban growth pressures in Spokane have turned a long‑standing transmission site into a prime location for apartments and retail, mirroring similar conversions nationwide. This redevelopment not only injects new housing and commercial opportunities into the community but also signals the radio industry’s need to balance legacy infrastructure with evolving land‑use priorities. As broadcasters increasingly rely on shared facilities or digital platforms, the physical footprint of traditional AM towers is likely to shrink, reshaping the landscape of local media ownership and urban planning.