Tipsters Michelle W. and SF Citizen have noted a mobile cell tower and generator parked in the Panhandle this week near Fell and Ashbury, and they're not alone.
The tower, pictured above, also includes high-frequency warnings obscured by the hurricane fence. Installation began this past Monday.
An email to San Francisco Recreation and Parks confirmed that the tower was indeed installed this week in the hopes of alleviating stress on the cellular network in the area during Bay To Breakers, which will stampede the area on Sunday, May 17th.
Connie Chan, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for Rec & Parks, said the tower would come down on May 18th, immediately after Bay To Breakers. It's unclear why the tower was set up almost two weeks ahead of time.
"The cell tower provides adequate cell coverage due to large crowds." Chan said. "The City needs to have extra cell towers for public safety and emergency communications. We have been placing additional towers in there for years for Bay to Breakers, and usually removing them the day after the event."
Temporary cell phone towers have been installed around the head of the Panhandle in previous years for Bay To Breakers and Outside Lands, although last year's Bay To Breakers installation was in front of McLaren Lodge.
