ReClaim

GTECH transforms vacant or blighted properties into viable community economic development opportunities by reclaiming sites and employing green redevelopment strategies to revive and recover the land.  GTECH reduces urban decay by employing low-cost, high impact environmental strategies on single sites and large development corridors, bridging the gap between blight and redevelopment on vacant land.  

GTECH's Urban Revitalization Program helps to transform blighted vacant lots into productive community assets. We work with community groups to assess, plan and implement transitional strategies, like sunflower gardens, while working toward a sustainable, long-term productive reuse for each site.

Each GTECH reclamation project leverages additional resources, helping to improve environmental conditions in communities while integrating green job training as a means of transitioning problematic spaces into productive places in benefit of community.

• ReClaim Northside is a 10 month long Ambassador education program taking hold in the 13 neighborhoods that make up the Northside of Pittsburgh. 10 community residents are selected, educated on vacant land management and then have their very own green project in their own backyard funded.   
• Sunflower Gardens are a transitional strategy that allows the community to actively participate in the early stages of converting once blighted spaces into clean, safe areas while giving the community time to develop and implement plans for a more productive long-term strategy for the site.
• Project SPARC:  Seeding Prosperty and Revitalizing Corridors is a collaborative vacant land management program with several of PIttsburgh's most active environmental and community groups. Click to read more
• Stormwater projects help offset the amount of water that flows into our combined sewer system causing overflows.  Click to read more about what GTECH is doing in this space.
• Marathon partnership: GTECH and Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon have partnered up to reclaim vacant lots along the course. Click here to read about this project and see how you can help!

Sunflower Gardens

To read descriptions of our projects - click on the points on the map.  Zoom out to see all of our sites in Allegheny County.

View GTECH Strategies Sites in a larger map
 = 2012 Site      = Past Site      = Transitioned Site

For more information on transitioned sites, please see the Case Studies posted on the Resource section of the website.

Our sunflower gardens take more than just sun and water to grow into success.

• First and foremost, we engage the community prior to and during implementation through meeting facilitation, demonstrations, and other hands-on activities.
• As Spring arrives, we develop an action plan for the site and begin preparation, which may include removing rubble, picking up litter, and adding compost.
• After preparation, we schedule and plan a community work day to engage the community and bring out volunteers to help plant the site.
• Throughout the Summer, we work with various workforce development groups, youth groups, and neighborhood organizations to maintain the gardens.
• After the sunflowers bloom, we celebrate the harvest with a community harvest party and work with the community to develop a transitional strategy for the site