Upcoming Wireless Internet Public Meetings

In 2006 the City of Minneapolis signed a 10-year contract with US Internet, the company that will build a wireless network across the city of Minneapolis and offer service to Minneapolis residents and businesses. Minneapolis City government will be an anchor customer for US Internet’s wireless network when it is completed. US Internet is currently in the process of constructing the wireless network, which is expected to launch citywide before the end of 2007.

As part of this contract, the City negotiated a comprehensive set of community benefits that go far beyond what any other city in the country has negotiated. One important and exciting component of this agreement calls for the creation of neighborhood and community portal pages.

These portal pages will provide all Minneapolis residents with free access to local, relevant and community-created content, including links to many public sector Web sites and online resources. The portals also provide a unique opportunity for local advertising, with ad revenues going to support Digital Inclusion efforts throughout City.

Through these portals, the City can offer neighborhood and community organizations a powerful communication and community-building tool.

We would like to invite you, your colleagues, neighbors, and constituents to attend an upcoming community meeting to learn more about this project, share with us your ideas and suggestions for content, and find out how your organization can participate in the portal project as it develops.

The following neighborhood meetings have been scheduled to generally coincide with network launch in your area. All meetings are free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend the meeting closest to where you live, feel free to come to any of the other meetings throughout the summer and fall.

Meeting Dates & Locations:

Thursday, June 14 - Community Technology Celebration
4 - 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Central Library Nicollet Mall, Doty Board Room
(activities after 5 p.m. function as the meeting for the Downtown and Cedar Riverside/Seward Neighborhoods)

Thursday, June 28 - Midtown & South Neighborhoods
5:30-7 p.m. at the Midtown Global Market (Lake Street & Chicago Avenue)

Thursday, July 19th - Southwest Neighborhoods
Wednesday, Aug. 15 - Southwest Neighborhoods
5:30-7 p.m. at Lyndale Farmstead Park (3900 Bryant Ave. S.)

Thursday, Sept. 13 - North Minneapolis Neighborhoods
5:30-7 p.m. at Shingle Creek Commons (4600 Humboldt Ave. N.)

Thursday, Oct. 18 - Northeast Neighborhoods
5:30-7 p.m. at Logan Park (690 13th Ave. N.E.)

Thursday, Nov. 1 - South and Southeast Neighborhoods
5:30-7 p.m. at Nokomis Community Center (2401 E. Minnehaha Ave.)


If you have any questions regarding these meetings, feel free to contact the City’s Communications Department (e-mail: wireless@ci.minneapolis.mn.us; telephone: 612-673-2491).

We look forward to your participation in these community meetings, and to working with your organizations in the future to ensure the success of this project!

Thank you!

Connie Kiser --Council Office Associate - Ward 6

Office of Council Vice President Robert Lilligren

CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS

350 S 5th Street - Room 307 City Hall

Minneapolis, MN 55415

612-673-2206