For the City Times

MADISON – UniverCity Year (UCY), a program aimed at finding practical solutions to community-based challenges, wants to partner with the city of Wisconsin Rapids on a wide range of community-based projects.

Launched in 2016 with the Wisconsin Idea in mind, UCY is a three-year program that facilitates engagement between the UW-Madison learning community and localities, ultimately bringing faculty, students, and community members together to address “some of the greatest challenges facing Wisconsin’s local governments.”

Now in its fifth year, UCY has engaged with over 1,000 students and faculty members on more than 100 projects with the city of Monona, Dane County, Green County, and Pepin County.

Over the last year, Wisconsin Rapids has joined that list of partners, working with UCY to identify projects that will positively impact the community.

The program has been partnered with the city, but the collaboration must first get the approval of the city council.

If approved, projects will begin this fall, with students and community members collaborating through spring 2021, with follow-up occurring through 2022.

UCY has matched courses with projects in areas including economic development, education, and health. These projects include topics ranging from implementing a school-based primary care clinic to workforce development.

Proposed community projects for the Rapids includes: Arts & Humanities – Single source of information and City Policy Support for Public/Outdoor Arts & Public Arts Inventory; Economic Development –Coordinated marketing plans to support economic development; and Parks – Parks & Recreational Programming Plan & Underutilized Spaces Review & Update.