DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Free Wi-Fi will soon be available at two Downtown Brooklyn public housing complexes.
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership said Wednesday that it is installing free Wi-Fi for outdoor areas at the Ingersoll and Walt Whitman Houses.
The program will make free Wi-Fi available in outdoor public open spaces, including seating areas, basketball courts and playgrounds.
Free Wi-Fi will also be available at retail locations owned by the New York City Housing Authority and on Myrtle Avenue.
“Internet access is crucial to success in the 21st century. Thanks to this innovative collaboration, we are bringing NYCHA residents Wi-Fi services that will improve quality of life and economic futures,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye in a statement. “As we work to preserve public housing for generations to come, we are proud to partner on a project that will uplift NYCHA communities and connect residents to opportunity."
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is currently installing 26 Wi-Fi access points at the Ingersoll and the Walt Whitman houses.
The project is an expansion of the Downtown Brooklyn Wi-Fi Network, which launched in 2014 at Fulton Mall after the partnership received a $163,000 grant from the city to build out a wireless corridor.
More than 110 wireless access points are currently installed throughout Downtown Brooklyn.
“Once again, Downtown Brooklyn is leading the way as a true live-work central business district,” said Tucker Reed, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, in a statement. “Our NYCHA expansion will allow us to provide a critical amenity to one of our largest population centers. We’re grateful to our partners on this initiative and are thrilled to offer service for more Downtown residents.”
