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On a beautiful sun-drenched day this week, the Kiowa County Commons building held its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. There was a great turnout on November 1 for this much-anticipated occasion. The Commons houses the County Library, Historical Society, Media Center, and Kansas State Research and Extension offices. A special treat in the lobby of the building is a re-creation of the soda fountain from Hunter Drugs. While the drugstore was demolished in the tornado, much of the fountain was reclaimed and refurbished. Beloved soda jerk Dick Huckriede, who retired and moved to Pratt after the tornado, was on hand to serve up refreshments after the ribbon cutting.
Master of Ceremonies Matt Christenson announced that the building was completed to LEED Platinum specifications. But, this being Greensburg, home to more LEED buildings per capita than anywhere on the planet, that wasn't the focus as much as acknowledging the many people and companies that made brought the project to fruition. You can read more about the Commons in a piece written by Media Center Board President Jan West. And for the low-down on the building's sustainable features, check out our Sustainable Building Database. Highlights include a green roof, photovoltaics, 48 geothermal wells, and extensive natural daylighting. The building is truly a showpiece.
Greensburg GreenTown is a charitable nonprofit organization working in Greensburg, Kansas to rebuild the town following the devastating tornado in May of 2007.
