Considered by many to be the heart of the city’s business, dining and entertainment, visiting the streets of Dowagiac’s downtown is now easier than ever.

All one needs to be transported to the city’s famous Front Street business district is a computer, smartphone, tablet or other digital device and an internet connection.

Downtown computer repair shop Dowagiac IT3 recently finished installing a new internet-connected camera, which gives people a bird’s eye view of the intersection of Front and Beeson streets. People can view the live footage streaming from the device 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the business’ webpage, dowagiacit3.com, by clicking the small red camera icon in the top left corner.

Since activating the live stream on Saturday, more than 1,000 viewers have accessed the footage, said owner Brian Antisdel.

“One person’s been on there for four days straight,” Antisdel said.

The device, which was donated to the business several months ago, was mounted on the roof of the former bakery located next to IT3’s recently opened storefront last Friday, by Antisdel and Tom Wilson, with V.H.I. Security.

“It was scary,” Antisdel said about the installation process. “I don’t like heights.”

Despite his apprehensions while putting up the camera, the work completes a goal Antisdel has been working on for quite some time. The owner had been looking to install a camera overlooking downtown for several months, as a way to allow people to monitor weather conditions and to see a live view of the city streets, from where ever and when ever they are. Footage from the camera could also assist police investigating any crimes that take place downtown.

In spite of some people sharing concerns that the camera would be an unwelcome intrusion into the privacy of people walking the streets, the feedback Antisdel has gotten since the camera has been up and running has been overwhelming positive, he said. One woman, living in Korea, thanked Antisdel for his actions, saying that she was able to lay eyes on the city for the first time in more than 20 years, he said.

“It was a real emotional moment,” Antisdel said. “To think that my camera allowed someone to see their hometown again, it was powerful.”

The business owner hopes to install several other cameras in other locations around the city, such as the mill pond, in the future, he said.

“It’s an added expense I’m willing to pay for,” he said.