What’s R2G Utica?
Rust to Green Utica is a local effort seeded by the R2G New York State Initiative. R2G Utica will soon be housed downtown, in the Green Century Building at 253 Genesee Street. R2G Utica has been identified within an immediate action step set forth by the goals of Utica’s new Master Plan.
R2G Utica will be engaged in identifying and advancing strategies and projects particularly related to greater urban livability, sustainability and resilience.
R2G Utica aims to widen local participation, involvement and inclusion in shaping and guiding Utica’s transition from rust to green.
Our Vision
Growing our city into a resilient, vibrant, sustainable community for the 21st century
R2G Utica Mission
Cultivate an open and dynamic network
“WE CAN’T DO IT ALONE”
Identify and nurture our assets
“CELEBRATE WHO WE ARE”
Craft and share adaptable principles, tools and practices to guide the way
“LEARN AS WE GO”
Take action to accomplish our vision of a resilient, sustainable and vibrant 21st Century Utica
“DON’T TALK RUST, ACT GREEN”
What are some of the things R2G Utica is working on?
IMPLEMENTING THE MASTER PLAN by working alongside community partners to identify and create definitive short and long-term action steps setting the living document in motion.
DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES for city and community workers to learn about contemporary green practices and approaches for saving costs, saving energy and stewarding Utica’s resources and assets.
LAUNCHING A REGIONAL R2G COLLEGE CONSORTIUM working to promote and activate innovation, collaboration and partnering for a sustainable and resilient city and region.
PROMOTING ACADEMY-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS with R2G Civic Research Fellows from area colleges working together with community partners to advance and apply green concepts and projects.
CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE FOOD POLICY for Utica with the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL). The working group will aim to localize food production and to promote sources of healthy food.
ASSESSING THE DOWNTOWN ONEIDA COUNTY CAMPUS PLAN. We are specifying steps in line with Rust to Green’s principles and the Utica Master Plan for the sustainable restructuring of downtown Utica’s Oneida County campus.
DESIGNING A ROOFTOP FOOD GARDEN for RCIL‘s office in Utica. The rooftop garden will be designed to feed the elderly population through the Leaf, Loaf & Ladle program.
ADVANCING AN R2G SMART NETWORK linking the skills and strengths of Utica’s many and diverse local and regional businesses, agencies, organizations, groups and individuals who are working to promote and advance Utica as a healthy and vibrant 21st century city.
R2G UTICA GREEN CENTURY BUILDING is being prepared at 253 Genesee Street to become a visible and accessible community hub for R2G Utica that would accommodate community mapping, a sustainable resources library, and small-business classes..
The New Century Club building (1826) will become the Green Century Building, and home to R2G Utica. (Image courtesy Jeremy Mancuso)
R2G UTICA IS ENVISIONING STRATEGIES to renovate Genesee Street and other core areas using sustainable design and planning approaches in accordance with the Utica Master Plan.
R2G UTICA MONDAY NITE MARKETPLACE is a weekly event at the State Office Plaza in downtown Utica. R2G Utica events and activities are designed to disseminate and collect information and foster Utica’s green future.
R2G UTICA RESOURCES AND DATA COLLECTION efforts are being undertaken to shape and develop information needed to foster future action.
R2G UTICA COMMUNICATIONS are posters, flyers and presentations currently being created and distributed.
R2G UTICA WEBSITE is being developed as an interactive and accessible site for compiling and sharing R2G research and information.
Rust to Green New York State is an emerging network and action research initiative. We are academic, citizen and community partners collaborating to explore and advance green futures for New York’s rust-belt cities. Rust to Green NYS identifies and designs innovative ways to assist cities in realizing their potential to become livable and resilient places.
