Downtown Cookeville WiFi Would Cost City $26k

A project adding free Wi-Fi and public internet to Downtown Cookeville would cost the city $26,000.

City Manager Mike Davidson said after Monday’s work session that, if approved for grant funding, the city would start the project this winter.

“I think it gives everyone that visits the Downtown area that opportunity to use their phones and use that data as they need it,” Davidson said. “We currently have it in Dogwood Park and you see people over there everyday using their iPads or their phones just relaxing in the park.  Hopefully we can give people that opportunity to come down and still have that connectivity if they want it.”

Davidson said WiFi would be available from the courthouse square to the West Side area near City Hall.

The city submitted a ‘pre-application’ for an Appalachian Regional Commission grant to help cover some of the expenses. The total cost of the project would be $52,000 with the city matching at least half.

Cookeville City Council will consider a motion Thursday allowing Davidson to sign a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ as part of the grant process.