The Mohawk Valley Heath System has planned and design a 25 acre hospital complex in downtown Utica. As one of the many Rust Belt Cities in the nation, the area is in desperate need for revitalization. Currently the population in decline (-3.4% since 2010) with 30.4% of the population in living in poverty.

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Rust Belt is a term for an informal region of the United States, mostly Midwestern states, that experienced industrial decline starting around 1980. These rusting cities have experience economic decline, population loss, and urban decay due to the shrinking of its once-powerful industrial sector. For the sake of this project, other Rust Belt Cities like Muncie and South Bend, Indiana, as well as Youngstown, Ohio were studied for their similarities and current innovations.

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The proposed design works with added “green fingers” that begin to connect the area surrounding the new hospital campus. The added greenways, linear parks, natural restoration areas, and green roofs will set into motion even greater healing around the city as its biophillic impacts. Additionally, a greater emphasis on mixed use commercial development and medium density housing make this an attractive area for existing residents with added boutique breweries, restaurants, and craftsmen.

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