Odessa public radio ready to re-launch

Hoping for a stronger signal and renewed programming, Marfa Public Radio Station Manager Tom Michael said he hopes to launch public radio again in Midland and Odessa by spring.

“We’ve begun the construction phase of the project,” he said. “It took us a lot to get to this stage and I’m looking forward to get this up and running.”

Marfa Public Radio finalized its purchase of KOCV-FM radio from Odessa College in December for $150,000 in cash and another $150,000 in sponsorships over 10 years after the radio station won the bid for the frequency in February.

Marfa Public Radio also promised to move the tower from the campus, which is estimated to save the school $30,000 to $50,000.

Michael said the new tower will be located in Gardendale, giving more reach to the area and attempting to win back Midland and Odessa listeners who have seen the signal fade since the ‘80s.

Woody Leverett, a Midland attorney and avid supporter of the station, said he and his wife listened to the station for many years before they lost signal in Midland.

“For years, we had a very strong signal from KOCV over at Odessa College,” he said. “And my wife and I had been devoted listeners and followers tot hat station for the longest time.”

He said he enjoyed the programming and hopes the signal will be stronger throughout the area when completed.

“I hope it is something that enriches the life in this area,” Leverett said. “It’s intangible, but it’s there. It’s a very valuable service.”

Daphne Dowdy, general manager of Basin PBS, said in an email that she is working closely with Marfa Public Radio on joint marketing and other efforts.

“All thoughtful communities like ours deserve robust public broadcasting,” she said in the email. “Being exposed to different kinds of music, culture, perspectives and ideas keeps us sharp.”

Michael said the station did not fundraise as much near the end, and Leverett said that might be in part to the drop off in listeners from Midland who could not pick up the signal.

First, the transmitter needs to be shipped, the tower taken down from Odessa College and renovations made to the tower in Gardendale, Michael said, all of which should happen when he anticipates the transmitter arriving in mid-February.

During February, he also said he will be attending Permian Basin organization meetings to determine what people in the area want out of their public radio.

“It’s kind of a build-as-we-go. We want to see how the community will react,” Michael said. “If the community supports us to build out a studio, or if the community supports us to hire a morning person or a news person, we will.”

For now, the station at 93.5 FM, will be operated out of Marfa, he said, but will be localized to the needs of Midland and Odessa, as well as include more fundraisers.

Michael said the station also will hire one full-time development manager and a part-time operation employee for the station.

“It took us a lot to get to this stage,” he said, “and I’m looking forward to get this up and running.”

@OAcourts