KZYX Building Project
A Brief History
Since KZYX first went on the air in 1989, the station’s offices and main studio have been located in a rustic, leased home in the woods close to Route 128, just south of Philo in Anderson Valley. The location has spoken to the station’s Anderson Valley roots, and earthy, counter-culture character.
But the name on our license is “Mendocino County Public Broadcasting.” And that is our mission, with a trio of transmitters ensuring our ability to reach across most of Mendocino County, and satellite studios in Fort Bragg, Willits, and Ukiah/Talmage for the 100-plus volunteer producers and staff who provide the station’s local programming.
After three decades, our broad community-wide mission of service —NPR and local news, public affairs, music, and in the-moment, often lifesaving emergency information— have become deeper, more resourceful, and more professional in quality, establishing KZYX as an institution in Mendocino County that the entire community relies upon.
A New Studio, A Bold Vision
In September, KZYX purchased a property in Ukiah at 390 West Clay Street, which will serve as our main studio location. This new, fully-equipped broadcast and production studio will help KZYX expand its listener base and serve as a vital connector in the community. The remodeled building will accommodate a larger news operation, broader community engagement, and a performance space for music, radio plays, debates, and more.
Why the Move?
After more than 30 years at our current location, KZYX’s line of sight to our towers is threatened by tree growth on the ridge between Philo and the transmitter site on Cold Springs Mountain. Additionally, the old structures are aging and the station is in need of an upgrade. The new headquarters on West Clay Street, once remodeled, will establish KZYX in a comfortable and durable facility much more conducive to our important work, with a new tower and satellite dish as well. Additionally, through owning rather than leasing, the station will be building a stable foundation for the future, with more autonomy over its own space.
Our New Home
The new facility at 390 West Clay Street sits on a park-like .42 acres and includes two buildings connected by a covered patio. The larger building (1,500 square feet) will house the broadcast studios and production staff; the smaller building (750 square feet) will be used for administrative offices. Ukiah residents will recognize the location as the site where the much-admired Dr. Grace Liu ran her acupuncture clinic for many years until her passing in 2016. Besides remodeling and upgrading the building, KZYX will erect a tower and install an NPR satellite dish on the property.
Why Ukiah?
The move to Ukiah will accomplish multiple goals for KZYX. The new site will provide a more reliable signal, with a 90-foot tower aimed directly at Laughlin Peak. Once established in Ukiah, Mendocino County’s commercial and governmental hubs and main population center, KZYX will gain greater access to volunteers, officials, nonprofits, businesses, supporters, cultural organizations, and emergency services. We will continue to operate our remote studios in Fort Bragg, Willits, and Talmage/Ukiah, and create a new satellite studio in the Anderson Valley, to keep the station accessible to program hosts, staff, and organizations throughout Mendocino County.
Support Our Building Fund
Our goal is to raise $1 million, allowing us to establish our primary broadcast and production studios as well as our administrative offices in Ukiah and, with your help, retire our mortgage, securing the long-term viability of our station. In this important, initial phase of our Building Fund Campaign, we are asking for your help as part of a very special group of community members known for providing generous gifts to worthy local organizations. Your gift during this beginning phase of our campaign will not only help us directly with crucial funding but will also serve as an inspiration to others when we conduct our on-air campaign in the spring, asking all of our listeners to be part of this community-wide effort.
Donor Gratitude
Your support will provide crucial and lasting assistance as KZYX takes this important step in securing our future and strengthening our ability to serve a growing constituency. Building Fund donors will be honored for their generosity in a work of public art and will receive recognition in our Building Fund Campaign communications. Help support community-powered radio this year by making a gift of a lasting legacy in Mendocino County. Thank you for being a part of this historic move for KZYX!
Learn More
For more information on making a tax-deductible donation, please contact our General Manager Dina Polkinghorne by email at dina@kzyx.org or by phone at (707) 895-2324.
Mail-in donations can be made to:
KZYX Building Fund, PO Box 1, Philo, CA 95466
You can learn more about our Building Fund Campaign or make a donation online by visiting www.kzyx.org