Ohio.CrainTech.com

Neighborhood pursuing wireless future

8:00 AM Nov. 20, 2003

By SHASTA CLARK

Tremont might become the first neighborhood in Cleveland to drop its wires.

A grassroots effort is underway to provide free wireless Internet access to all who live, work and play there. It's the first such community-run, community-centered wireless project in Cleveland. The immediate plan is to bring high-speed wireless Internet access - known as WiFi - to the neighborhood's restaurant, cafes, shops and residents.

A handful of residents, business owners and civic activists in Tremont meet twice a month at an ice cream shop at 2362 Professor Ave. called Tremont Scoops to discuss the most efficient, and most affordable, way to achieve their optimistic goals. The group is called Tremont WiFi.

"Our long-term goal is to have a neighborhood network," said Stephen Finegold, chairman of Tremont WiFi, who also lives and works in the neighborhood.

So far, only the ice cream shop has a community WiFi connection point, more commonly referred to as a hot spot. Hot spots generally are able to broadcast a signal at least 300 feet that can be easily accessed using wireless chips in computers and handheld devices.

Tremont Scoops was chosen as the first hot spot because "it's one of the places that gets a true cross-section of the neighborhood," Mr. Finegold said. The hot spot has drawn more foot traffic into the business, he said.

By the end of the year, the Jefferson Branch of the Cleveland Public Library will house the second connection point. Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ at 2592 West 14th St. is third in line to become a hotspot. The church wants to be able to use the Internet connection to help homeless people who want to write resumes, search for jobs and improve their job-related skills.

Computers donated by Cleveland Digital Vision will be available in those neighborhood establishments to allow residents without their own computers to take advantage of the free wireless Internet access. A computer is currently available in Tremont Scoops.

Tremont WiFi organizers have had to scale back their ambitious plans after efforts to secure grants to cover expenses were rejected by two different potential funders. Now, the group is hosting community fundraisers. Earlier this summer, Tremont WiFi hosted a waffle breakfast that raised $550. It's selling tickets for another breakfast scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Tremont Scoops. And it's selling tickets to raffle a basket full of technology gadgets, including a wireless PDA, donated by Texcel Inc. of Cleveland. The raffle is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 9 p.m., the same evening as the Tremont Art Walk.

Each WiFi hot spot costs about $700 to activate.

Ultimately, the wireless network could help monitor the streets via wireless security cameras to help stop car break-ins-an all too common occurrence in Tremont. It also could be used by landlords to attract more tenants and by businesses to attract more foot traffic.

However, Mr. Finegold said he isn't certain how his neighbors will use the service.

Tremont's eclectic mix of residents, businesses and artistic endeavors makes the neighborhood the perfect testing ground for a community-based wireless Internet service, said Walter Wright, commercial development director for non-profit community development organization Tremont West Development Corp.

"People who choose to live in Tremont are an interesting bunch," Mr. Wright said. "This one-square-mile (neighborhood) contains a real cross-section of Cleveland."

Over the past five years, the demographics of Tremont have been changing, largely because pricey town homes are attracting empty nesters and young professionals who want the feel of a close-knit neighborhood but the convenience of Cleveland's arts, museums, universities, restaurants, and bars. About 150 town homes and single family homes ranging in price from $140,000 to $500,000 have been built in Tremont in the past five years. Still, the average family income in the neighborhood is just over $24,000.