Spearheaded by Dr. David W. Stewart, faculty at the A. Gary Anderson School of Management at UC Riverside, the group quickly developed a host of solutions to some of the many challenges we face. Their proposal, titled A Vision for Riverside, was completed in 2009 and immediately approved by Riverside's City Council; this laid the groundwork for a comprehensive, city-wide strategy.

Soon after, a steering committee was formed, residents were encouraged to lend their voices, and the mayor's original group of strategists had grown to include leaders from other key segments of our community. Together, they developed Riverside's roadmap to the future, calling it Seizing Our Destiny (SOD).

Consisting of 11 Strategic Routes, SOD helps local leaders take Riverside down the right path and gives us all a glimpse at what's to come.

Strategic Route 5: Being a Green Machine
To help community and SOD committee members meet the goals established for each strategic route, a collection of route-specific "exemplary initiatives" have been created. Strategic Route 5, called Being a Green Machine, endeavors to establish "Riverside as the international magnet and model for sustainable business, environmental innovation and green living with a synergistic partnership of industry, city leadership and residents."

Riverside Public Utilities has become known across the globe for its commitment to and implementation of green initiatives that reduce our city's impact on the environment; this is why we've been called on to aid community and SOD committee members in accomplishing each Route 5 initiative:

Exemplary Initiative 5.1 - Fully implement the Green Riverside Action Plan
Exemplary Initiative 5.2 - Create a "Green Business District"
Exemplary Initiative 5.3 - Implement an action plan for international recruitment of green business
Exemplary Initiative 5.4 - Create a Green Machine inventory and ensure alignment among all Routes

Learn more about Route 5: Being a Green Machine