For Immediate Release
Date: April 2, 2015

The Savannah City Council and the Savannah College of Art and Design today signed a memorandum of understanding that will expand the City’s fiber network, facilitating the deployment of more surveillance cameras and increasing wireless connectivity for public services.

The agreement developed after SCAD approached the City about installing fiber beneath several City squares and parks to provide wireless connectivity for use by SCAD students and school-sponsored events. SCAD would fund the cost of fiber installation in the public spaces, and upgrade electrical service at each location. In exchange for allowing use of the public space, the City would be able to utilize this fiber for City initiatives, such as surveillance cameras and wireless access for City services, such as monitoring irrigation systems.

“This is a win-win for the City and SCAD,” said City of Savannah Management Services Bureau Chief Sean Brandon. “It’s the beginning of an important partnership that will link the resources of the City and SCAD toward expanding vital fiber links throughout downtown.”

Under the memorandum of understanding, work would initially be done at Forsyth Park, as well as Madison, Pulaski and Oglethorpe squares. The upgraded electrical service at each location would be done in coordination with City Park and Tree Department’s planned electrical upgrades, and would fast-track the needed upgrades at these locations. SCAD’s work will enhance and expand the City’s own fiber expansion plans; in 2013, voters approved $1 million in SPLOST funding to expand the City’s wireless infrastructure.

While the project will initially facilitate public safety and service improvements, the plan is to eventually extend wireless connectivity to the general public in these spaces.