Downtown Alliance Announces First Phase of Free Public WiFi along Water Street Commercial Corridor and East River Waterfront
As a winner of the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Wireless Corridor Challenge, the Downtown Alliance today announced the first phase of its enhanced free public WiFi network in Lower Manhattan. The first phase of Water Street WiFi coverage has officially been activated at:
• Fulton Street from Water Street to the East River Waterfront Espanade
• Water Street from Fulton Street to Fletcher Street
• Water Street from Wall Street to Old Slip
• Front Street from Wall Street to Old Slip
• Front Street from Fulton Street to Fletcher Street, including Imagination Playground
• Piers 6, 11 and 15 and surrounding East River Waterfront Esplanade
• Elevated Acre, Vietnam Memorial, Coenties Slip along Water Street
• Peter Minuit Plaza and Water-Whitehall Plaza, extending to Broad Street
• Old Slip Park
• Stone Street and Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden
“Connectivity is the key to success in today’s global economy,” said William Bernstein, acting president of the Downtown Alliance. “With over 600 tech and innovation firms located below Chambers Street, this free Water Street Wifi network will further advance Lower Manhattan as a destination for new firms looking to open their doors and will be a huge boon to the district’s workers, residents and tourists. Thank you to Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Steel and EDC President Kyle Kimball for their leadership in providing free, public WiFi across our city.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the Downtown Alliance on this important initiative that makes Water Street and Lower Manhattan a 21st century place to live and work,” said Patricia Dunphy, Senior Vice President of Rockrose Development Corporation, whose building at 200 Water Street provided space to house equipment that powers the wireless network.
Users may log on to the network, named “#DwtwnAllianceFreeWifi,” with personal computers or smartphones. When complete, the network will provide full coverage along the Water Street corridor between Whitehall and Fulton Streets, extending to lively neighboring side streets including Stone Street and Front Street, and along the East River waterfront and piers in Lower Manhattan.
Announced by Mayor Bloomberg in September 2013, the Wireless Corridors will upon completion provide free WiFi in Brooklyn along the Fulton Street corridor, BAM Cultural District, Brownsville, and Downtown Brooklyn; in Manhattan in the Flatiron District, along the Water Street Corridor, the East River waterfront in Lower Manhattan, and the 125th Street corridor in Harlem; in Queens in Long Island City; in Staten Island in the St. George commercial district; and in the Bronx on Fordham Road, as well as other areas citywide.
The Wireless Corridor Challenge was awarded in September 2013 to five organizations known for achievements in improving quality of life throughout the City, including the Alliance for Downtown New York, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership and GOWEX. These partnerships were initially announced by Mayor Bloomberg in September 2013.
The program increases wireless connectivity in New York City commercial and residential districts, which is a critical step in attracting new businesses to a neighborhood, increasing foot traffic and marketing within a business district, connecting residents and visitors within a neighborhood, improving quality of life, and bridging the digital divide.
The Downtown Alliance launched its public WiFi network in 2003. See additional coverage areas at https://downtownny.com/programs/free-public-wifi.