Gavin: Let Them Have Wi-Fi

While it remains impossible to access free wireless Internet at City Hall, it may soon be possible to do so in one of the city's toughest housing projects.

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the expansion of free, public Wi-Fi in the Sunnydale housing development: "To improve our economy, it is critical that we bridge the digital divide," he said. "The launch of this free Wi-Fi network at the Sunnydale housing development is another step forward in our goal of providing free Internet access to all San Franciscans."

Hey -- great news. But the average income of a Sunnydale resident is still a shade over $12,000 annually. The dilapidated housing is composed of leftover barracks built to situate World War II-era shipbuilders, the neighborhood is unserved by any major stores, and is rife with crime, addiction, and misery. So, again, great start with the Wi-Fi -- but this seems a bit like putting Christmas lights on the remnants of a forest fire.

It will be interesting to see what developments in Sunnydale the mayor deigns to spotlight next.