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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Yordana Wysocki, Corporation Counsel
Austin FitzCorbett, Fiber Network Manager
DATE: October 12, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution approving a new lease with Crosstown Fiber IL LLC for approximately 51.38 strand-miles of dark fiber for a term of one (1) year.
PURPOSE:
To authorize a one (1) year Dark Fiber Lease Agreement between the City of Aurora and Crosstown Fiber IL LLC for the lease of approximately 51.38 strand-miles of dark fiber on the City’s fiber optic network at a rent of $4,007.40 per month.
BACKGROUND:
The City owns and operates the Aurora Network, a fiber optic network that contains a substantial amount of fiber not planned for use by the City. Since 2012, OnLight Aurora has had the sole privilege of using over 1,800 strand-miles of the City's excess fiber. As presented to the Committee of the Whole on September 15, 2026, staff recommend that the City directly lease its fiber to outside users under agreements approved by the City Council, and a resolution to terminate the Revised Master Service Agreement with OnLight Aurora is pending review by City Council.
Crosstown Fiber is a Lombard, Illinois company that builds and operates high-capacity fiber optic routes for data center, carrier, healthcare, school district, and enterprise customers in the Chicago area. In 2025, Crosstown began construction of an underground fiber route between Chicago and Aurora to provide its customers with a physically diverse path between the two major data center corridors. In early 2026, Crosstown approached the City to lease dark fiber on the Aurora Network to make their path more robust.
DISCUSSION:
Under the Lease, Crosstown will lease forty-four (44) dark fiber strands over approximately 1.16 route miles, totaling 51.38 strand-miles. The fiber strands are part of the City’s existing backbone cable, and no construction by the City is required. Crosstown will perform the splicing and testing needed to form the route at its own cost, using a contractor approved by the City, under work plans approved by the City, and to the City’s splicing and testing standards.
The Lease is for a one (1) year term and may be renewed for up to three (3) additional one (1) year terms, subject to the written consent of both parties. Any amendment of the Lease, including the addition or change of routes, will require City Council approval.
The City will maintain the Aurora Network under its normal practices, as it does for its own use. Crosstown and its contractors must carry liability insurance covering the City, indemnify the City against claims arising from its use of the leased strands, may not sublease the strands, and must comply with all relevant construction and permitting requirements. At the end of the term Crosstown must disconnect and remove its equipment. The Lease is non-exclusive, other strands of the Aurora Network remain available to the City and to other users.
A copy of the proposed Lease is attached as Exhibit A. An illustration of the route is attached as Exhibit B. An overview of Crosstown Fiber is attached as Exhibit C.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Lease is anticipated to provide revenue to the City of $48,088.80 during the initial term, increasing five percent (5%) in each renewal year, without the expenditure of City funds beyond regular infrastructure maintenance and administrative activities. The rent equates to a competitive rate of approximately $936 per strand-mile per year. The leased fiber makes up less than 20% of dark fiber available on the 1.16 mile route, and less than 1.25% of dark fiber available on the entire City network. The Lease will not significantly impede the City’s own use of the Aurora Network or our ability to lease other strands to other users.
City staff and Crosstown mutually anticipate that Lease amendments will be brought to City Council in the future to add routes that serve more Aurora-area businesses and institutions.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the approval of the Dark Fiber Lease Agreement between the City of Aurora and Crosstown Fiber IL LLC.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution approving a new lease with Crosstown Fiber IL LLC for approximately 51.38 strand-miles of dark fiber for a term of one (1) year.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora owns and operates a fiber optic network in and around the City (the "Aurora Network"), which includes dark fiber strands in excess of the City’s present needs; and
WHEREAS, Crosstown Fiber IL LLC, an Illinois limited liability company ("Crosstown"), desires to lease forty-four (44) dark fiber strands of the Aurora Network on one (1) route, totaling approximately 51.38 strand-miles, for use in its fiber optic telecommunications business; and
WHEREAS, the City and Crosstown have negotiated a Dark Fiber Lease Agreement for a term of one (1) year, renewable for up to three (3) additional one (1) year terms upon the written consent of both parties, at a rent of $4,007.40 per month, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that leasing the dark fiber strands as described in Exhibit A to Crosstown on the terms of the Dark Fiber Lease Agreement, Exhibit A, is in the best interest of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION ONE: That the Dark Fiber Lease Agreement between the City of Aurora and Crosstown Fiber IL LLC, attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference, is hereby approved.
SECTION TWO: That the Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute and attest the Dark Fiber Lease Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and to deliver the same to Crosstown Fiber IL LLC.
SECTION THREE: SEVERABILITY. If any section, paragraph or provision of this Resolution shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the invalidity or unenforceability of such section, paragraph or provision shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Resolution.
SECTION FOUR: REPEAL OF PRIOR RESOLUTION. All prior Resolutions and Ordinances in conflict or inconsistent herewith are hereby expressly repealed only to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency.
SECTION FIVE: EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall be in effect immediately from and after its passage and approval.