City of Cape Girardeau Walking in a Wifi Wonderland

Partnerships truly make cities grow, and Cape Girardeau is no exception. With numerous companies and organizations making up our Midwest haven, we are blessed in so many ways. One recent project fueled by partnership brought free WiFi to the downtown area, while another brought WiFi to seven of our local parks.  

Downtown WiFi Access

The City of Cape Girardeau and the Marquette Tech District Foundation formed a public-private partnership, bringing free WiFi to several main streets in the downtown area. Public internet access is now available on Broadway, Main and Spanish streets. The two entities started working together on this project five years ago. The Foundation wanted access to the City’s fiber to connect endpoints of their private network. In exchange for that access, the Foundation would offer free WiFi to the public. 

A deal was made, and both parties, as well as every citizen and visitor, now benefit from this unique proposal. But that’s not the end of it. There are plans to expand the WiFi’s reach, further allowing the public to check in at their favorite restaurant or Instagram the perfect selfie along the river. 

"The Marquette Tech District Foundation activated free Downtown Wi-Fi in 2017," said Stacy Dohogne Lane, Director of Youth Coding League for Codefi and the Marquette Tech District Foundation. "Part of our mission is to provide increased and efficient internet, network and technology and connectivity and access to residents, businesses, customers and visitors of downtown Cape Girardeau. The free, downtown Wi-Fi absolutely helps us carry out that mission."

Parks & Pavilion WiFi

The second innovative partnership responsible for public internet access is between the Cape Girardeau Public Library and the City of Cape Girardeau’s Parks and Recreation department. This partnership was made possible by a Coronavirus Relief Funds Broadband Funding for Distance Learning and Telehealth in Libraries grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri State Library. 

The new park access points provide free internet access in established, well-lit and safe locations without requiring a library card.

The eleven access points at seven local parks are now available. You can connect your devices at Shawnee Park, Indian Park, Capaha Park (at the splash pad building, baseball friend press box and band shell), Arena Park (at the North restroom, train restroom and armory restroom), Kiwanis Park, Ranney Park and Washington Park.

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