US Congressman Brings Group to Greensburg

City Administrator Steve Hewitt Shows Off Greensburg's New City Hall

On Saturday, April 25, folks from Kansas City, Missouri made the 350-mile trek to Greensburg by bus to talk green with local leaders. US Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri), organized this tour of people who are instrumental in developing  Green Impact Zone in the urban core of Kansas City, using money from the economic stimulus legislation. According to a recent article in the Kansas City Star, "Within a couple of years, Kansas City could become a green model for turning around some of its poorest neighborhoods. Up to $200 million in federal stimulus money will weatherize every home that needs it in a 150-block area, upgrade bus services and provide much more help."

Rep. Cleaver, who came up with the Green Impact Zone idea, was quoted as saying, “I’m so excited, I’m trying to calm down . . .This is a perfect storm of opportunity.” Cleaver and a group of Kansas City neighborhood civic leaders and residents gathered at the First United Methodist Church in Greensburg on Saturday afternoon to hear about the Green Initiative - what worked, what didn't, and what lessons might be applicable to their planning process. All the attendees introduced themselves and why they were committed to the greening of Kansas City. They expressed gratitude and awe at what the people of Greensburg have accomplished in two short years after the tornado.

Bob Berkebile, Stephen Hardy, Rachel Stroer, and Jim Schuessler of BNIM Architects - the firm that has been instrumental in developing the City of Greensburg's Master Plan for rebuilding - traveled with the group by chartered bus. Hardy introduced Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt, School Superintendent Darin Headrick, GreenTown Director Daniel Wallach, and Mayor Bob Dixson, who each gave his take on the local green projects and answered numerous thoughtful questions from the audience. The group seemed very eager to learn from Greensburg's experience. Representative Cleaver then spoke and described how the folks from his district are aiming to recover from tragedy of their own - tragedy that is borne out of poverty and urban decay. The Green Impact Zone will offer great hope to inner city Kansas City, providing green-collar job training, money-saving home improvements, and a whole host of opportunities that have not previously existed.

Greensburg folks were warmly invited to come to Kansas City in the future to check out their progress. There were also plans made to continue an ongoing consulting relationship with the leaders and neighborhood organizers as they made their dreams a reality.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, BNIM Principal Bob Berkebile, & GreenTown Director Daniel Wallach

After these presentations, the group toured several green sites: GreenTown's Silo Eco-Home, the 5.4.7 Arts Center, City Hall, and the Business Incubator. Then they got back on the bus, planning to delve into how to apply what they gleaned in Greensburg to their project at home.

The next day, Rodney Knott, President of the Historic Manheim Park Association, already got the ball rolling via email, saying, "I wanted everyone to be aware that as a result of our mission to Greensburg the residents of Manheim Park want to become the model neighborhood of green technology in Kansas City and hopefully the nation. This week I will begin the process of assembling a 'green team' to create a strategic and overall plan for bringing green technology to Manheim Park through model homes and rehabilitations."

Greensburg is honored to be in partnership with our new friends in Kansas City.We applaud Congressman Cleaver and his visionary constituents on taking on this project.

To read more about the Green Impact Zone, visit Congressman Cleaver's website, and check out the recent article from the Kansas City Star.