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~ADVERTISING~
Kansas town has environmentally friendly rebuilding plan
By KAREN HEINSELMAN, Courier Staff Writer
Second in a series
GREENSBURG, Kan. --- In the late 1800s, railroad companies laying track across the vast plains needed a reliable source of water. Using shovels and picks, laborers bore a well into south-central Kansas that reached 109 feet into the earth.
More than a century later, the engineering feat --- billed as the world's largest hand-dug well --- serves as a tourist attraction in Greensburg. The town is also home to Space Wanderer, a 1,000-pound pallasite meteorite.
Merchandise in the Big Well gift shop commemorates a more recent claim to fame: An EF5 tornado that nearly wiped the town off the map on May 4, 2007. Magnets and T-shirts promote ongoing efforts to turn the modest community into a model of green living. And, that's not just because of the town's name, though the association certainly doesn't hurt, residents contend.
City buildings and other key structures in town will meet the U.S. Green Building Council's highest standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. Property owners in Greensburg are encouraged to build green as well.
"For people that want to be part of a sustainable community, this is their opportunity to shine," Greensburg resident Matt Deighton said.
Bigger and better
In Northeast Iowa, Parkersburg also faces the challenge of rebuilding. About six months ago, an EF5 tornado damaged or destroyed about two-thirds of the town's buildings.
While leaders in Parkersburg also see an opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons, going green is not part of the official game plan.
For Mayor Bob Haylock, a new-and-improved Parkersburg means new homes and new businesses. Starting from scratch allows some the benefit of putting everything just where they want it, he said. At the high school, officials will be able to better incorporate a long-planned auditorium into the overall layout of the building. Park improvements are also planned in town, Haylock said.
Resident Dustin Kellum is sad Parkersburg lost some of its older homes in the storm. But Kellum, who moved into a new modular house with his family several months ago, is heartened to see so many people rebuilding.
Since the tornado, he has built relationships with his neighbors. The sense of caring has yet to wear off.
"As a whole, I think the town will be a lot better off. Stronger," Kellum said.
Prior to the tornado, the predominantly residential community of about 1,900 enjoyed modest growth and an expanding subdivision, Haylock said. He expects the town will eventually reach and exceed that point again.
Officials are taking the opportunity to make sure new construction conforms to modern city codes, though requests for variances have and will be considered, City Administrator Gary Hinders said.
The city may also consider adding sidewalks along popular school routes. Such projects seem more reasonable when lawns are already dug up, he said.
"If you are ever going to do it, this would be the time to do it," Hinders said.
Parkersburg leaders and some residents, thanks to media coverage, are somewhat familiar with Greensburg's approach to rebuilding. Representatives from both towns swapped tornado stories several months back at a conference in Des Moines, Parkersburg Economic Development Director Virgil Goodrich said.
"We are in similar positions, and we just kind of wish the best for both people and offered to help each other out as much as we could," Goodrich said.
Other than a few initial conversations and expressions of curiosity and goodwill, leaders in both towns appear to be focused on their own rebuilding efforts.
New identity
In a community that places a newfound importance on storm shelters, a transparent building and its content pique curiosity, and sometimes skepticism.
Stacy Barnes, manager of the 5.4.7 Arts Center, has heard the question before. She smiles.
"Ten times stronger than a car windshield," Barnes says of the structure's exterior.
Some have asked Barnes how the town acquired an arts center before a permanent city hall, school or hospital. The town broke ground on those three structures this fall. In Greensburg, homes and businesses are under construction, but many empty lots remain. A year-and-a-half after Greensburg's tornado, some residents continue to reside in, go to school in and do business in trailers.
Barnes sees the 5.4.7 building --- a date that will live in infamy for Greensburg residents --- as more than a place to hang paintings. The center, she says, is a place to gather and host events --- an attraction.
"It's a community building ... ," Barnes said. "A place for visitors and tourists to come."
Outside donations appear to push some projects along more quickly than others. For example, graduate students studying architecture at the University of Kansas constructed the Greensburg arts center for a reduced cost. The building, which features wind turbines, solar panels and rooftop vegetation, is lauded as the first structure in Kansas to receive the U.S. Green Building Council's platinum designation under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System.
Prior to the tornado, many a resident considered Greensburg a typical small town in rural America: A community with roots where people knew their neighbors.
"We meet together, we dine together," Mayor Bob Dixson said.
But young adults had a habit of leaving town after high school in search of opportunities in bigger cities, Dixson said. He thinks Greensburg's chance to make a fresh start, and its quest to create a sustainable community, will attract young families who want to be a part of that growth.
"We have been blessed with a tremendous opportunity here," Dixson said.
The city is setting the example.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, Greensburg made history by becoming the first U.S. town to mandate that all city-owned buildings uphold the council's highest standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. The resolution applies to buildings greater than 4,000 square feet and reduces energy used in conforming structures by 42 percent of what current building codes require.
Key buildings in town, such as the city hall and school, a business incubator and a planned Big Well and Weather Museum, will meet those criteria.
State and federal governments, outside organizations, major corporations and agencies are helping to promote, plan and fund Greensburg's environmental aspirations. Major businesses in town, including a John Deere dealership, are jumping on the sustainability bandwagon.
And the town's efforts caught the attention of environmentally minded entertainers. Leonardo DiCaprio produced a 13-part series on Greensburg's green efforts for the Discovery Channel, which aired this summer and fall. Reruns are scheduled, according to planetgreen.discovery.com.
Some homeowners also are taking steps to conserve energy and resources as they build.
Resident Steve Dawson said incorporating green elements into new home construction isn't rocket science. Simple considerations when it comes to building materials, the use of natural light and the placement of a home on a lot can make a difference. Dawson's new modular home features more insulation, which he says will translate to a lower heating bill.
"You don't have to be elaborate to be green," Dawson said.
Contractor Charles Wadel said modern homes, as a rule, tend to be more energy-efficient than older homes. One of the more common adjustments Greensburg homeowners are requesting is the use of added insulated concrete forms, Wadel said.
Building green can take more time and adds costs up front to projects, Dixson said. He asks that homeowners do the best that they can within their budget.
Education
Building a sustainable community means helping residents understand that all the green talk really boils down to more familiar concepts like conservation and resource management, Dixson said. Sustainability is more than a way to build; it's a lifestyle, he said.
"Sustainability is simply us meeting our needs but not jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs," Dixson said.
Greensburg resident Ruth Ann Wedel and newcomer John Wickland work for a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, information and support throughout the town's environmentally friendly rebuilding efforts.
Greensburg GreenTown operates out of a small structure on Main Street. Sometimes the job involves distributing free, dual-flush toilets and special shower heads designed to conserve water. Staff members also attempt to track green initiatives in town, hold informational workshops, field questions and meet with school contractors and residents about their options.
"It's an educational process," Wickland said.
A chain of demonstration homes planned for Greensburg will showcase examples of energy-efficient living and costs associated with it, Wedel said. She stresses that homeowners can incorporate gradual improvements and changes to not only building plans but also existing homes. For example, homeowners can change out appliances for models that require less energy or water, she said.
"It's not about the politics ," Wickland added.
On paper, plans for Greensburg's public buildings go beyond basic innovations. Green proponents hope prospective businesses follow suit.
Greensburg native Deighton envisions the home of the largest hand-dug well and pallasite meteorite will become a Silicon Valley of sorts for green technology, where people come from afar just to have a look.
"This is going to kind of be like living on the moon," Deighton said.
Mayor Dixson preaches the importance of building a sustainable community. But he says his town still needs a few of the basics: Jobs; more homes; property taxes.
The pieces are lining up, and Greensburg is holding its own, but the town could use a break, Dixson said, adding that the time is coming when state and federal funding streams will no longer be there.
Residents sense the world is watching. People outside of Kansas continue to follow the story, Dixson said. Not so much the tale of the twister.
"That's old news," Dixson said. "It's what we do after that."
For information about Greensburg GreenTown, go to the Web site www.greensburggreentown.org.
Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.
GREENSBURG, Kan. --- In the late 1800s, railroad companies laying track across the vast plains needed a reliable source of water. Using shovels and picks, laborers bore a well into south-central Kansas that reached 109 feet into the earth.
More than a century later, the engineering feat --- billed as the world's largest hand-dug well --- serves as a tourist attraction in Greensburg. The town is also home to Space Wanderer, a 1,000-pound pallasite meteorite.
Merchandise in the Big Well gift shop commemorates a more recent claim to fame: An EF5 tornado that nearly wiped the town off the map on May 4, 2007. Magnets and T-shirts promote ongoing efforts to turn the modest community into a model of green living. And, that's not just because of the town's name, though the association certainly doesn't hurt, residents contend.
City buildings and other key structures in town will meet the U.S. Green Building Council's highest standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. Property owners in Greensburg are encouraged to build green as well.
"For people that want to be part of a sustainable community, this is their opportunity to shine," Greensburg resident Matt Deighton said.
Bigger and better
In Northeast Iowa, Parkersburg also faces the challenge of rebuilding. About six months ago, an EF5 tornado damaged or destroyed about two-thirds of the town's buildings.
While leaders in Parkersburg also see an opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons, going green is not part of the official game plan.
For Mayor Bob Haylock, a new-and-improved Parkersburg means new homes and new businesses. Starting from scratch allows some the benefit of putting everything just where they want it, he said. At the high school, officials will be able to better incorporate a long-planned auditorium into the overall layout of the building. Park improvements are also planned in town, Haylock said.
Resident Dustin Kellum is sad Parkersburg lost some of its older homes in the storm. But Kellum, who moved into a new modular house with his family several months ago, is heartened to see so many people rebuilding.
Since the tornado, he has built relationships with his neighbors. The sense of caring has yet to wear off.
"As a whole, I think the town will be a lot better off. Stronger," Kellum said.
Prior to the tornado, the predominantly residential community of about 1,900 enjoyed modest growth and an expanding subdivision, Haylock said. He expects the town will eventually reach and exceed that point again.
Officials are taking the opportunity to make sure new construction conforms to modern city codes, though requests for variances have and will be considered, City Administrator Gary Hinders said.
The city may also consider adding sidewalks along popular school routes. Such projects seem more reasonable when lawns are already dug up, he said.
"If you are ever going to do it, this would be the time to do it," Hinders said.
Parkersburg leaders and some residents, thanks to media coverage, are somewhat familiar with Greensburg's approach to rebuilding. Representatives from both towns swapped tornado stories several months back at a conference in Des Moines, Parkersburg Economic Development Director Virgil Goodrich said.
"We are in similar positions, and we just kind of wish the best for both people and offered to help each other out as much as we could," Goodrich said.
Other than a few initial conversations and expressions of curiosity and goodwill, leaders in both towns appear to be focused on their own rebuilding efforts.
New identity
In a community that places a newfound importance on storm shelters, a transparent building and its content pique curiosity, and sometimes skepticism.
Stacy Barnes, manager of the 5.4.7 Arts Center, has heard the question before. She smiles.
"Ten times stronger than a car windshield," Barnes says of the structure's exterior.
Some have asked Barnes how the town acquired an arts center before a permanent city hall, school or hospital. The town broke ground on those three structures this fall. In Greensburg, homes and businesses are under construction, but many empty lots remain. A year-and-a-half after Greensburg's tornado, some residents continue to reside in, go to school in and do business in trailers.
Barnes sees the 5.4.7 building --- a date that will live in infamy for Greensburg residents --- as more than a place to hang paintings. The center, she says, is a place to gather and host events --- an attraction.
"It's a community building ... ," Barnes said. "A place for visitors and tourists to come."
Outside donations appear to push some projects along more quickly than others. For example, graduate students studying architecture at the University of Kansas constructed the Greensburg arts center for a reduced cost. The building, which features wind turbines, solar panels and rooftop vegetation, is lauded as the first structure in Kansas to receive the U.S. Green Building Council's platinum designation under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System.
Prior to the tornado, many a resident considered Greensburg a typical small town in rural America: A community with roots where people knew their neighbors.
"We meet together, we dine together," Mayor Bob Dixson said.
But young adults had a habit of leaving town after high school in search of opportunities in bigger cities, Dixson said. He thinks Greensburg's chance to make a fresh start, and its quest to create a sustainable community, will attract young families who want to be a part of that growth.
"We have been blessed with a tremendous opportunity here," Dixson said.
The city is setting the example.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, Greensburg made history by becoming the first U.S. town to mandate that all city-owned buildings uphold the council's highest standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. The resolution applies to buildings greater than 4,000 square feet and reduces energy used in conforming structures by 42 percent of what current building codes require.
Key buildings in town, such as the city hall and school, a business incubator and a planned Big Well and Weather Museum, will meet those criteria.
State and federal governments, outside organizations, major corporations and agencies are helping to promote, plan and fund Greensburg's environmental aspirations. Major businesses in town, including a John Deere dealership, are jumping on the sustainability bandwagon.
And the town's efforts caught the attention of environmentally minded entertainers. Leonardo DiCaprio produced a 13-part series on Greensburg's green efforts for the Discovery Channel, which aired this summer and fall. Reruns are scheduled, according to planetgreen.discovery.com.
Some homeowners also are taking steps to conserve energy and resources as they build.
Resident Steve Dawson said incorporating green elements into new home construction isn't rocket science. Simple considerations when it comes to building materials, the use of natural light and the placement of a home on a lot can make a difference. Dawson's new modular home features more insulation, which he says will translate to a lower heating bill.
"You don't have to be elaborate to be green," Dawson said.
Contractor Charles Wadel said modern homes, as a rule, tend to be more energy-efficient than older homes. One of the more common adjustments Greensburg homeowners are requesting is the use of added insulated concrete forms, Wadel said.
Building green can take more time and adds costs up front to projects, Dixson said. He asks that homeowners do the best that they can within their budget.
Education
Building a sustainable community means helping residents understand that all the green talk really boils down to more familiar concepts like conservation and resource management, Dixson said. Sustainability is more than a way to build; it's a lifestyle, he said.
"Sustainability is simply us meeting our needs but not jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs," Dixson said.
Greensburg resident Ruth Ann Wedel and newcomer John Wickland work for a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, information and support throughout the town's environmentally friendly rebuilding efforts.
Greensburg GreenTown operates out of a small structure on Main Street. Sometimes the job involves distributing free, dual-flush toilets and special shower heads designed to conserve water. Staff members also attempt to track green initiatives in town, hold informational workshops, field questions and meet with school contractors and residents about their options.
"It's an educational process," Wickland said.
A chain of demonstration homes planned for Greensburg will showcase examples of energy-efficient living and costs associated with it, Wedel said. She stresses that homeowners can incorporate gradual improvements and changes to not only building plans but also existing homes. For example, homeowners can change out appliances for models that require less energy or water, she said.
"It's not about the politics ," Wickland added.
On paper, plans for Greensburg's public buildings go beyond basic innovations. Green proponents hope prospective businesses follow suit.
Greensburg native Deighton envisions the home of the largest hand-dug well and pallasite meteorite will become a Silicon Valley of sorts for green technology, where people come from afar just to have a look.
"This is going to kind of be like living on the moon," Deighton said.
Mayor Dixson preaches the importance of building a sustainable community. But he says his town still needs a few of the basics: Jobs; more homes; property taxes.
The pieces are lining up, and Greensburg is holding its own, but the town could use a break, Dixson said, adding that the time is coming when state and federal funding streams will no longer be there.
Residents sense the world is watching. People outside of Kansas continue to follow the story, Dixson said. Not so much the tale of the twister.
"That's old news," Dixson said. "It's what we do after that."
For information about Greensburg GreenTown, go to the Web site www.greensburggreentown.org.
Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.
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