should be managed by a non-profit that the City does NOT control / existing dark fiber is unique

while the city certainly has a role to play in making this happen, they should not OWN or manage the network.  A local non-profit whose board is drawn primarily from local businesses and independent residential interests should manage the network.

The city through its ROW can waive or substantially reduce any franchise fees in exchange for use of the network and Austin Energy has TONS of dark fiber strung all over the city on its transmission that could be put to use as part of the base network.

This would be unique in texas (municipal utility with an extensive underutilized fiber network ALREADY BUILT).

Put up the resource and get out of the way of the Google Pros to make it happen.

Posted: March 10, 2010: 12:42 AM