New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week, at the World Canals Conference in Syracuse, launched a $2.5 million competition to reimagine how the state’s canal system is used.

The competition hopes to increase the canal’s recreational appeal, promote economic development, preserve the canal’s heritage and ensure lasting financial sustainability of the system, according to a press release from the state.

“The Canal System is a vital part of New York’s storied past and it is critical that it continues to be an essential component of our state’s future,” Cuomo said at the conference.

The New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation will oversee the competition.

The state canal system is 524 miles long, encompassing the Erie, Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca and Oswego canals.

“Our main goal for the future is for the canal to play as significant a role in New York’s economic future as it has in its past, albeit in different ways,” said Steven Gosset, media relations manager of the NYPA, in an email. “For instance, bold new ideas can help promote recreation and tourism, or lead to new sustainable economic development along the canal corridor.”

Officials are excited about the competition and its innovative nature, Gosset said.

“We recognize that there might be transformative ideas out there that (could) help New York capitalize on this iconic waterway in ways we haven’t thought of, and we are looking for those ideas,” he said.

The competition is open to entries from people across the world. The submissions must focus on either canal infrastructure improvements or programs that would attract more tourists to visit the system.

In the competition’s first round, officials will accept a few select proposals. Finalists from the first round will then each receive $50,000 to use for work in the second stage. Judges will then select two or more winners from the second round.

Those finalists will receive up to $1.5 million to implement their proposals.

Gosset said the canals are already tourist destinations. People boat, bike and hike in the area, he said.

The Erie Canal once spurred a trade and economic boom in New York. Within 15 years of the canal’s opening, New York had the busiest port in America. And nearly every major city in the state falls along the trade route established by the canal.

“As we prepare for the third century of canal operations in New York,” Gosset said, “NYPA and the Canal Corporation want to find new ways to spur economic development along the canal corridor and increase visitation, so more people get to experience the beauty of our canals and learn about their vital role in shaping the history of this nation.”

Published on October 4, 2017 at 10:22 pm

Contact Anne: ashayes@syr.edu