West Des Moines, Iowa is looking for a vendor to design and build a wireless broadband network that expands the existing network in the business district. Proposals are due on 29 November 2006. Download the RFP from here (PDF format).West Des Moines, Iowa is looking for a vendor to design and build a wireless broadband network that expands the existing network in the business district. Proposals are due on 29 November 2006. Download the RFP from here (PDF format).
Where they are getting funds for the network
Christine Gordon, Housing Planner for the Community Development Department, points out that the system is being paid for entirely by funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The City of West Des Moines is an entitlement community, so the City receives CDBG funds each year for community development activities. The wireless network is being implemented in two census tracts of the City where greater than 50% of the residents are low or moderate income. In addition, the City is partnering with the local community college to distribute 200 free computers to the residents in the neighborhood to use the wireless network.
Excerpt from the RFP
“The City of West Des Moines (the “City”), through VJ Unplugged, has established a goal to strengthen the City’s economy and transform West Des Moines’ Valley Junction neighborhood by providing wireless Internet access. VJ Unplugged intends to create a digital infrastructure for open-air Internet access and to help citizens, businesses, schools, and community organizations make effective use of wireless technology to achieve their goals while providing a greater experience for visitors to the City.”
“VJ Unplugged is the name of the current Wi-Fi system available in the business district of Valley Junction (4th Street to 6th Street, Railroad Avenue to Vine Street). The current VJ Unplugged was implemented in October 2005 and offers free Internet access in the limited area.”
“The City looks to expand VJ Unplugged to include the residential portions of Valley Junction; specifically 1st Street to 8th Street, Railroad Avenue to Vine Street. The expansion will be paid for through funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant funds. Proposals must comply with all city, state, and federal codes and statues. The City has budgeted $138,347 for the expansion of VJ Unplugged. The expansion area includes 602 households. The proposed area was selected because it includes two census tract block groups where more than 51% of the residents are Low or Moderate Income.”
To achieve the expansion of VJ Unplugged, the City is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to initially design and ultimately build and support a neighborhood wireless network (the “System”).
(RFP available here)
Why not include all of Valley Junction. I can’t get wireless even if I pay for it on 10th and Railroad.