BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Public internet access is planned to come to the Main Street area following two unanimous votes from city council on Tuesday evening.
Council member Kiera Wilhelm was absent.
- Public access Wi-Fi is planned for the Main Street area of Bethlehem
- It would provide internet for visitors of the area at no cost to the city
- Officials say they'd like to expand the project citywide to improve equity
According to the resolutions voted on by council, Service Electric is looking to install the equipment on traffic light poles at Main and West Broad streets as well as Main and West Market streets.
This would provide free Wi-Fi to the general public and frequenters in those areas at no cost to the city — a benefit not to “be used to provide preferential service to any customers of Service Electric Cable TV, Inc.,” the resolution states.
As part of the agreement brought before council, the service would automatically renew after a year unless either party decides to cancel.
City officials said they’d like to push the boundaries of projects like this, opening doors for those less fortunate in the community.
A potential citywide effort
Mayor J. William Reynolds said this could be something the city would look toward expanding into a broader project. But the agreement is written in such a way that it gives officials the chance to step away if they ever saw fit.
“The download speeds are going to be good for guests, but it is not a situation where the download speeds are enough to be able to provide people that are living in the neighborhood free internet,” the mayor said.
“If you can do that with a couple of boxes on a couple of light posts downtown, why can’t we do that on the South Side on Third Street, or at one of our Housing Authority locations like Pembroke and Marvine? So I would really welcome the expansion of this concept in the conversation.”Hillary Kwiatek, Bethlehem City Council member
Council member Hillary Kwiatek said she liked the idea, but wanted to be part of more conversations regarding the potential expansion of these amenities to areas of the city where equity in internet access may be lacking.
“If you can do that with a couple of boxes on a couple of light posts downtown, why can’t we do that on the South Side on Third Street, or at one of our housing authority locations like Pembroke and Marvine?” Kwiatek asked. “So I would really welcome the expansion of this concept in the conversation.”
The mayor added that recent city research into residents of the Bethlehem Housing Authority showed only a small number of them are taking part in the Affordable Connectivity Program through the Federal Communications Commission, and over three-quarters of them are, instead, paying full price for internet access. This is something he said was “just completely and utterly unacceptable to us.”
Council member Paige Van Wirt said this would make a great opportunity to use American Rescue Plan funds to expand broadband equity.
“This is about keeping our greatest equalizer — access to quality education — accessible to everybody."Rachel Leon, Bethlehem City Council member
Council member Rachel Leon said potential naysayers should look back on how the pandemic affected education around the country, as students were sent home to complete their schoolwork online.
“This is about keeping our greatest equalizer — access to quality education — accessible to everybody,” Leon said.
More day care options in the city
The panel voted 6-0 in support of a zoning text amendment clarifying the definitions of “environmental education centers,” “nature preserves” and “community recreation centers.”
It would also add day care as an accessory use at environmental education centers.
Restorative justice for local juveniles
Leon later spoke on the Impact organization, supported by the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office, that highlights restorative justice for juveniles. She said some current measures in place can disproportionately affect lower-income families.
“This is a program that relies heavily on a balanced restorative justice principle. It’s an alternative method in handling juvenile offenders that are first-time offenders that are committing summary or misdemeanor offenses.”Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott
“The Bethlehem Police Department is going to lead from the front,” Police Chief Michelle Kott said. “This is a program that relies heavily on a balanced restorative justice principle.
“It’s an alternative method in handling juvenile offenders that are first-time offenders that are committing summary or misdemeanor offenses.”
She said she’d like to see this program implemented citywide this fall.
