Posted Online: November 6, 2006

Crestview Apartments to get WiFi connection

Allowing residents Internet access to a larger world

By Scott Boehmer

sboehmer@daily-journal.com
815-937-3321

A once-troubled low income housing development in Kankakee will soon be getting a high-speed connection to the Internet.

Preservation of Affordable Housing, which owns Crestview Village Apartments, is working with WiFi Kankakee LLC to bring Internet access to the Section 8 supported apartment complex, said Karen Blomquist, communications manager for POAH.

The project is meant to help bridge the digital divide between people who have the financial means to access technology and those who don't, Blomquist said.

A five-workstation computer lab and classroom is being set up, Blomquist said. The space will provide room for activities like computer classes and after-school programs. The hope is the system will be operational by the end of the year, she said.

"The premise here is to help people get connected with modern technology through the Internet," Blomquist said. "The combination of a basic computer and the wireless that (WiFi Kankakee) is offering will allow the residents of Crestview access to a much larger world through the Internet."

Residents who have a computer will be able to access it for up to 15 hours a month at no charge through Kankakee WiFi LLC. Low-cost computers will also be available for residents who want to purchase them, Blomquist said.

Blomquist said various programs exist which would make it possible for residents to get a new computer for a couple hundred dollars. In addition, some donated, used equipment should be available at no charge.

Crestview resident Mike Bean said the project is a good idea and will "give these kids something to do around here. A lot of people that need to use the Internet don't have transportation to the libraries."

There are 132 apartments at Crestview which are home to 359 residents, including more than 200 children, according to Blomquist.

POAH picking up tab

While coverage is being provided by WiFi Kankakee, POAH is paying for the cost of the equipment needed to bring the signal to Crestview, said Pete Schiel, the assistant superintendent of utility operations for the Kankakee Municipal Utility.

Equipping Crestview to get a wireless Internet connection will cost $10,000 to $12,000, Blomquist said. Some grant money is helping with the cost, and Blomquist said POAH has also had a good response from the organizations who donate to it, to the idea of improving technology at the properties it owns.

Bringing Internet access to Crestview will also allow Kankakee WiFi to bring coverage to the area near Interstate 57 exit 312. The signal for Crestview should also go into East Court Village and part of the Marycrest area, Schiel said.

"It's a win-win situation for them and a win-situation for Kankakee WiFi LLC because not only are we providing service for the residents in that area but we're also accomplishing the goals of Kankakee WiFi LLC," Schiel said.

Currently, Kankakee WiFi covers more than 400 acres with its wireless coverage, Schiel said. The new project will add another 20 or 30 acres to the total, he said.