The Digital Corner

Here is a picture of the buidling in the 1920's. The Digital Corner is a community run coworking space located at 4400 st Aubin.
It’s mission is to provide access to computers and the internet to people in Poletown.

What The Digital Corner offers :

Wifi

Print center

Video production station

Open desk / laptop checkouts

Workshops / Skills training

Conference room and event space access

The Digital Corner gives underprivileged residents access to computers and the Internet.
It allows job seekers to access its computers and the Internet for free, whether to apply for jobs or to gain new skills.

The open space will double as a classroom, where we’ll host regular workshops on computer programing and website design to improve local residents technological literacy and job prospects.

Classes :

typing 101

How to access the internet

how to use email

how to create videos for youtube

How to create websites (html/css)

Programming the raspberry pi - in collaboration with the digital stewards

Our Story

This project came out of a collaboration between Allied Media, the Digital Stewards and Poletown Mesh. After years of providing wifi to the Poletown neigborhood, it has become apparent that more is needed. We have found that the most limiting factor in this neighborhood is a lack of access to computers, not to mention knowing how to use one. There needs to be more basic digital training as well as access to computers. The Idea of a physical location that would act as a hub, a physical space dedicated to technology became apparent. Working with the Land Bank, we have secured the building and plan to have it open in 24 months.

Who Are The Digital Stewards?

The Detroit Digital Stewards are technologists, organizers, Detroiters, activists, and elders.
They explore and learn new technologies with the goal of supporting community owned wireless infrastructure (wifi networks). The stewards have bi-weekly meetings that include planning, building and organizing community wireless networks in Detroit neighborhoods.

Digital stewards have implemented community wireless in these locations in Detroit:

• Morningside
• Cass Corridor
• Poletown
• Field St.
• The Boggs School
• Ewald Circle
• 48217

POLETOWN MESH

Poletown Mesh brings free broadband Internet access to Detroit’s Near East Side. The network has been around for the last 3 years, and plans to expand. Currently, there are 3 wireless routers spanning 4 blocks. Poletown Mesh’s mission is to bridge the digital divide and help everyone gain access to technology and the Internet. By leveraging Eastern Market’s infrastructure as well as Bogg's School community, Poletown Mesh will be able to provide safe and reliable bandwidth to businesses, community organizations, as well as families and individuals.

OBJECTIVE

Poletown Mesh is using an affordable way to implement a scalable network. The network is built on a sustainable model that will allow for relatively simple maintenance and encourage its expansion and growth. By using Commotion network technology, the system applies the latest wireless mesh networks that share high-speed internet bandwidth.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Poletown Mesh can:

create a richer sense of community on Detroit’s near east side by encouraging groups to work toward a common goal

be an economic development tool that can be used to attract and retain business

reduce the digital divide and help everyone gain access to high-speed broadband service

facilitate wireless technology use for citizens and visitors

The most efficient way for families and individuals to obtain financial, educational, social, employment, and advocacy resources is to have access to a high-speed internet connection. By being able to access these services at home, users have the ability to investigate these personal issues at times convenient to them.