A group of Apple Valley residents are raising concerns about exposed wires and patchy grass left behind in their yards by a broadband internet contractor.
Fiber-optic wires are being installed underground as broadband high-speed internet service is improved across Dakota County. Some residents are upset with the damage left behind.
“Frontier came in and ripped up all of our front lawns,” said Julie Kahn, a board member with Regatta Homeowners Association.
Board members at Regatta Homeowners Association — comprising over 70 homes in Apple Valley — received calls from upset homeowners along Finch Avenue demanding lawn repairs. The cost to fix the damage, even after the contractor Frontier hired came in to fix the damage once, is estimated at about $10,000, Kahn said.
During the initial installation this past fall, construction equipment came through the neighborhood and dug deep holes in lawns, according to Kahn. Peggy Tigner, president of the Regatta HOA, said repairs began in May after complaints were made multiple times by the board. But problems persisted.
Frontier says it is aware of the complaints and has been working to address them, but the weather has been no help.
For example, where yards were reseeded to repair damage, the hot, dry weather hampered growing, said Bridget Smith, assistant vice president of corporate communications at Frontier. Smith said local Frontier officials are working hard to right the situation.
”In every case I can assure you we do our best to restore the lawns, the property, to as it was before, if not better,” Smith said. “It just takes some time. It’s a very labor-intensive process to get all this done.”
Tigner said much of the grass did not survive a July 22 reseeding and that they are left with weeds or dead areas.
Board members have tried to contact Frontier to report the issues but have not gotten a response, Tigner said.
Lakeville has been getting similar complaints. A Lakeville city permit says Frontier is responsible for repairing damages if they occur up to a year after construction, City Administrator Justin Miller said.
Apple Valley has a similar permit, and communications specialist Eve Heeralall said the city will get involved if major issues arise between homeowners and contractors.
In 2018, the Dakota Broadband Board was created in collaboration with 10 cities and the Dakota County Community Development Agency for the sole purpose of bringing widespread broadband internet to the county.
According to Executive Director Carah Koch, the board was created after discussions on how the internet service would improve public services and entice new businesses to the area. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, it has proved an even more vital commodity, she said.
“Whether it is distance learning for students, people working from home or managing small businesses, telehealth, or simply entertainment, access to broadband is essential,” Koch said.
