‘Cooper Lumen Design Challenge’ Seeking Funds for Lower East Side Project
This image has been archived or removed.
Hurricane Sandy, Oct. 2012
Hurricane Sandy left one hell of a mark, exposing vulnerabilities with our attachment – nay – dependence on modern technology. Specifically in the communications department. Among the initiatives popping up throughout the city (e.g. AT&T’s solar-powered charging stations) is a new initiative specifically geared towards the Lower East Side. If successful, it will provide residents with an outlet (literally) for relief, should the neighborhood go dark again in the wake of another natural disaster.
The ‘Cooper Lumen Design Challenge’ aims for the trifecta of solar-powered services in their prototype: free wireless internet, emergency lighting, and a charging station for computers and mobile devices. Students at Cooper Union will tackle the project, under the guidance of Engineering Professors Toby Cumberbatch and Sean B. Cusack, and in conjunction with Kerri Culhane, Associate Director of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council and Paul Garin, Founder of WiFi-NY.
The resulting design(s) will become candidates for deployment in the WiFi-NY People’s Emergency Network, which will place these units along Manhattan’s East River Waterfront and in common areas in and around the Two Bridges, Lower East Side, Chinatown, East Village and other New York City neighborhoods.
Check out their fundraising pitch video below, which includes some crazy footage from the superstorm. They’ve already raised $6,300 of their $10,000 goal; deadline for donations is January 15 (tomorrow). For more info or to support the project, they’re raising funds through Indiegogo.
[via @GOLESNYC]
Recent Stories
Missed Paradise: Street Art Gets Buffed as Billboard Rises on Prince Street
Those anti-looting plywood barriers are coming down as stores are finally reopening. For street artists, though, it’s a mad scramble to reclaim the work they created to beautify the blight. Many artists continue to petition management of buildings, store owners, or simply salvaging them from the trash. Others are still producing work on the storefronts that […]
Velvette Brew Espresso Bar Opens on Stanton Street
Over at 85 Stanton Street, two years of vacancy just concluded. A new espresso bar is now on the grounds. As previously reported, this spot is the maiden Manhattan location for the Brooklyn-based Velvette Brew. (We’re told that the Prospect Park coffee shop closed in favor of the Lower East Side.) The former boutique is […]
Knife-Wielding Bike Thief Apprehended by Customers at Cluck’s Chicken on Essex Street
A would-be bike thief was apprehended at Cluck’s Chicken on Essex Street, then pulled a knife, police said. Last Monday (July 27), the victim parked his electric bike near the entrance and walked to the rear. Soon after, at roughly 2:45pm, there was a commotion as the suspect attempted to make away with the $1,500 […]
Rosario’s Pizza will Look for a New LES Location
Losing Rosario’s Pizza, much like its old neighbor Bereket, is the elimination of yet another connection to the old Lower East Side. The pizza joint held down the northwest corner of Orchard and Stanton Streets for more than twenty years, and spent the preceding decades just around the corner. However, the retirement of manager/owner Sal […]
Captain and Owners Arrested for Liberty Belle Booze Cruise off Pier 36
The captain and owners of a popular Manhattan party boat were arrested for defying coronavirus social distancing mandates and embarking on a crowded cruise, authorities said Sunday. Shortly after 8:00pm Saturday night, the Liberty Belle, a four-story river boat with a capacity of 600 people, left Pier 36 (Basketball City) for a booze cruise. More […]
