Am I missing something here? I'm assuming you have access to the water tower no? If so, install a new 900mhz AP in place of the one owned by the Fed's and start reconnecting the old customers.
Chances are if they were RUS funded they used Motorola Canopy. A refurb 900mhz AP runs about $400
^^ This is not a bad idea really if you can do it. Dont ask me what RUS is. ;( -- OptionsDSL Wireless Internet »www.optionsdsl.ca