Wednesday, April 26, 2006
By Nate Reens
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- Three companies that took part in last summer's wireless broadband tests are back for more, submitting one-third of the nine proposals to build a "Wi-Fi" network across the city.
The project bids, which have yet to be reviewed by city officials, require the private firms to construct, own and operate the network at no cost to the city or taxpayers.
Residents wanting to use the network would have to contract with the selected provider or a third party that buys access from the chosen firm.
"It's really exciting to be building toward this, and the closer we get, the more exciting it becomes," said Sally Wesorick, the city's project manager. "We've had a tremendously positive response from the community."
The city had 21 letters of intent to bid last month and only expected about 10 proposals by Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline. A tenth pitch arrived 10 minutes too late, Wesorick said.
"I think this puts us in a pretty good position (to make the best choice)," she said.
The city hopes the network, which would operate at a speed between cable and DSL connections, would benefit public safety operations. Officials want police, fire and the public works departments to be able to piggy-back onto the space in exchange for providing access to city buildings, utility poles and right-of-ways.
"There's a lot of potential from the safety aspect and economic development," Wesorick said.
Mayor George Heartwell is looking forward to the benefits of becoming a connected community over the city's entire 45 square miles.
"Wireless broadband is a catalyst for transforming life and work to meet the challenges of the new millennium and the global economy," Heartwell said in a statement.
The city is to trim the field on May 30 and award the bid on July 13.
Wesorick hopes to have the project kick off in October and have a 5-mile test region operable by Christmas.
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