Starting this summer, the streets of downtown Traverse City should have free Wi-Fi.
It’s a project of the Downtown Development Authority and Traverse City Light and Power. The Light and Power board will vote on authorizing the wireless system and Aspen Wireless as the contractor. A 10-year contract is expected to be approved Tuesday evening.
DDA executive director Rob Bacigalupi says the project was driven by visitor expectations.
"It’s a means for folks with wireless devices, like smartphones, to get data without using up their cellular contract. You know, you’re seeing them in sports arenas. You’re seeing them in many other downtown locations," he says.
He says it's not just a convenience for smartphone users.
"For us, it’ll provide some ability to help visitors find both attractions but also events that are taking place downtown. So, it’s kind of a way-finding event notification tool," he says.
The city also hopes to use it as a municipal network. The new parking pay stations, for example, can use the wireless network to collect credit card payments and information, such as whether parking meters have expired. The wireless system will be less expensive than hardwiring the pay stations.
The project costs approximately $382,000. The funds will come out of Light and Power's budget, but the DDA will repay them over time from downtown tax dollars.
Construction is expected to begin July 1st, and officials hope it will be completed by the start of the Traverse City Film Festival later that month.