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RPI should help make Troy the flagship city of Tech Valley!

Posted by troyisgreat (Troy Improvement Idea)
Area: General/City-Wide | Tags: troy tech valley rpi high tech

I think Troy should become the flagship city of Tech Valley, and RPI could play a huge role in making that happen.

I participated in a online discussion put on by the CEG this week, and the question being discussed was:

Where are the gaps in our regional innovation infrastructure?

You can check out the actual discussion here.

One of the points that was made was that our region needs to do a better job of fostering a home for the creative class.

So much of the talent that we breed ends up leaving because we don't offer them the quality of life that they are looking for.

Many of the things that are already happening in Troy will help this cause, such as The Mooradian Lofts, The Conservatory, and The Hedley Project. However, I think RPI could tip the scales.

RPI should take the initiative, and begin working with the city and with developers to make Troy the flagship city of Tech Valley. Things such as free wifi throughout the city, more modern living, and innovative applications of the technology that is being developed at RPI throughout the city are all things that RPI could and I believe should be doing.

What do others think?

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Comments

shockey 461 days ago

yeah, I'd be down with free wifi. I wish they would do more for those of us that live here in the city.

cap-regent 454 days ago

It is very disheartening that RPI has consciously chosen to distance itself from the city of Troy for as long as I can remember.

This hands-off approach to a city that extends every opportunity and tax break to this monetarily well endowed institution is deplorable.

RPI has the opportunity to showcase the leading edge research and innovation that makes it a world class learning center on a grand scale in an entire city of a manageable size for a project of this scope.

That they do not have the greater, wider vision to take advantage of this opportunity makes me wonder whether they are as fully well educated as they portray themselves.

bdavis 454 days ago

I really wonder myself why they don't do this. It would benefit everyone.

tvan22 451 days ago

If we ever want to even compare ourselves to Boston or San Francisco, we need to focus on the quality of living, and doing exactly what you mentioned: Fostering a home for the creative class.

It's really a shame that RPI isn't more focused on making the entire city of Troy a better place to live and work, and coming up with more ways to try and keep students here when they graduate.

The incubator program at RPI is great, but we need more entrepreneurs to stay here and start businesses.

Until we get a greater volume of startups, and entrepreneurs staying in the area, we can't expect the area to really take off. And until we focus on quality of life, and making the area attractive to those types of people, we can't expect them to want to stay here, or come here.

I agree and I think RPI could really make a big impact in that regard, but they need to focus on more than just their campus.

troyboy04 451 days ago

RPI should take the lead in making Troy better. I think that the city should create incentives for startups, especially in the downtown area.

Also, what about creating BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) along major commercial strips such as Pawling Ave, Congress St, Hoosick St, 15th St as well as 5th/6th Ave and 2nd Ave/River St?

met 451 days ago

This is a really great discussion, and I agree with all points.

However, how do we go about changing RPI's stance, and increasing their involvement in bettering the city?

timmer 358 days ago

I'm not sure how to go about that. Is there anyone affiliated with RPI that uses this site?

praxis 138 days ago

From what I've heard, there actually were plans in the works for free WiFi in downtown Troy a while back. At the end of the day, though, it was a logistical nightmare, and for one reason or another everything fell through at the last minute (or so I heard).

As for how to evoke change, motivating the students themselves seems to be the place to start. While there are profound exceptions, the norm seems to be apathy and disenfranchisement (and the contrast seems especially strong among the creative talent here, as mentioned before).

mcral 328 days ago

I'm not, but I would expect someone must be.

gdshear 297 days ago

I'm not sure we can lay all the effort on RPI. Examples abound where cities have been able to form a coalition of political, business, academic and community leaders, - this coalition has then been successful in developing a vision for the future, and this vision has been implemented.

Why is this not happening in Troy?

Can it happen in Troy?

How?

troyisgreat 296 days ago

I agree gdshear, it absolutely needs to be a collaborative effort in my opinion. I do believe that RPI could have a SIGNIFICANT impact in the area of fostering a home for the creative class. I think they could really help tip the scales, and it would be of great benefit to them, as well as the city of Troy at large.

As you said, I think that there should be some form of coalition formed to really develop a vision. That's really the first step.

ecjulien 268 days ago

I have heard from RPI professors that RPI will eventually just buy all of downtown Troy. They are already on their way to doing so. Just a rumor I suppose, but it's a creepy thought.

I do agree though, with the money they are raking in, they should be able to do something that would help both their students and the community.

troyisgreat 130 days ago

@praxis - How long ago was that?

Getting students more engaged is definitely a challenge. I know if I didn't go to church downtown, I would have had little reason to venture off into any other part of Troy but up Hoosick Street to go shopping. I think that it's happening more now than it did when I was in school (I graduated 4 years ago). I think the next step is to have some structured things for students to get involved in and not just small groups, but large numbers of students in places throughout the city.

I definitely like the idea of forming a coalition for this. I would think RPI already has some one (or group of people) focused on building in roads to the Troy community. Does anyone know who a good contact would be?

spamtester4 118 days ago

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RPI should help make Troy the flagship city of Tech Valley!

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