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Downtown Warsaw, Central Park and the Village At Winona could soon become hot spots for wireless technologies.
During Tuesday's meeting of the Warsaw Community Development Corp.'s board of directors, Mark Marley, president of Network Computer Solutions, presented members with the idea of installing fiber optic servers for downtown companies and residents.
By creating an underground grid of fiber optic cables, Internet availability could be offered to anyone with a laptop computer, Blackberry or PDA in one of these areas.
Marley predicted the move would encourage patrons to stay longer inside of the hot spots, helping to create a positive boost for economic development.
"Our goal is to hit key businesses and key locations," Marley said of the fiber optic servers. "The move could be a great improvement for downtown business."
The installation of the fiber optic cables is estimated to take place this summer, and Marley said any coordination with the city's sidewalk reconstruction would be beneficial.
"I think this would strongly enhance the business opportunities for downtown vendors and merchants, and it sounds like a fail-safe technology," WCDC President Clint Pletcher said. "From what I've heard from other communities that have tried this, it should be welcomed with open arms."
WCDC members said they would enjoy to have the Internet availability for downtown areas, but Tuesday's session was merely an informative presentation.
The board also:
• Heard a report from Carmen Lock regarding the facade grant program. Descriptions involving property lines and qualified applicants will be reviewed to better address the program's capabilities.
• Heard that activity in the revolving loan program should be anticipated. Applications are expected to assessed within the next few months.
• Discussed possibilities of finding a new owner for the organization's Comstock House, a building used to house low income residents. Meetings and further discussion on the matter are anticipated at next month's meeting.
