This time was different. Rather than a steady parade of architects, engineers and developers stepping to the podium to speak hopefully of how Greensburg might recover as a community, the 200 residents who attended the latest community gathering last Wednesday heard local leaders highlight recovery projects in various stages of completion.
While the star power of such renowned figures as internationally acclaimed planner John Picard characterized the two previous community meetings held last February and December, the mood of last week’s event was more celebratory than visionary. Concrete results, rather than inspiring descriptions of opportunities, was the focus this time around.
The recounting was kicked off by USD 422 BOE President Ki Gamble, who narrated a slide presentation of the new $40 million public school facility. Though the conflicted lighting of the practice gymnasium compromised the quality of the images, enough was visible to leave onlookers with a sense of the cutting edge nature of this LEED Platinum structure for which ground was broken just the preceding week.
Especially eye catching was the naturally lit gymnasium featuring an angled roofline flush with glass to allow those inside a generous view of the sky above, in addition to the open spaced and widely windowed classrooms.
Kiowa County Commission Chair Gene West followed Gamble and spoke of the County having sold the former hospital land for development of an affordable housing project as well as donation of the property of the former firehouse having been given to the City for development of a park. West proceeded to list the following developments of the County in the 18 months since the tornado:
*Remodeling of the courthouse is slated to be finished by next May, the result being a LEED Gold structure;
*Continued work on the show barn at the County Fairgrounds, with expectation of sheeting to be put up before Thanksgiving;
*Construction of the new Road and Bridge facility having gotten underway, the finished product set to be LEED Certified;
*Completion of the new Recycling Building by next spring;
*Bids for the newly remodeled sheriff’s office/jail and fire department to be opened November 19 and 20, respectively;
*Expectations for bids for the Commons Building to go out in January with completion of the project by late 2010.
West also mentioned a “lot of new faces” working in various county departments, signifying “new people moving into the community” showing “we’re going in the right direction.”
He also read a statement indicating wireless WiMAX Internet service would be available in the Greensburg area soon. The statement read: “The Kiowa County Commons Media Center, The Haviland Telephone Company, Stutler Technologies of Emporia and Airspan Networks are pleased to announce that through a joint effort, Haviland Telco will offer WiMAX broadband service to Greensburg residents and those living (with)in an approximate ten-mile radius (of) Greensburg in the future.”
While the statement went on to say no further details are currently available, “Haviland Telco looks forward to bringing Greensburg into the Haviland Telco family and will offer quality service at competitive prices.”
Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt had the longest list of achievements to detail, including:
*Completion of the $3.4 million Business Incubator by mid-January, the LEED Platinum facility designed to house ten businesses on Main Street;
*The $2.9 million LEED Platinum City Hall—first in the U.S.—to be completed by next May;
*Installation of the new LED street lights by Christmas, the $1.3 million undertaking making Greensburg the first U.S. community completely fitted with LED street lighting;
*Early stages of design for the $2 million public works facility to be located on the site of the former power plant is underway, with hopes of completion by the end of 2009;
*Council’s recent approval of $20,000 being spent for the installation of a new basketball court and public pavilion in Sunset Acres Park;
*Continued planning with PEC Engineering on a design within the $3 to $4 million-price range for the rebuilding of the city’s streets;
*A yearlong project for the chemical lining of sewer lines having gotten started;
*Ongoing efforts to work with Xtreme Structures to develop a light industrial park are expected to hit the next gear in early ’09;
*Plans for a 12.5-megawatt wind farm to generate community electricity to be located to the south of town, working with the Kansas Power Pool and a yet unnamed “private enterprise”;
*Progress being made by the Big Well Committee on development of plans for the tourist site facility, including museum, to the extent of a report likely being presented to city council by late December;
*Announcement of the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation agreement to increase the threshold for Greensburg homebuilders to quality for a $25,000 forgivable loan to construct a new residence—the level goes up from 120 to 150 percent of the community’s median income.
Daniel Wallach of Greensburg GreenTown also took a turn, telling the crowd, “Being in the community I think sometimes we’re too close to appreciate what’s happening and what’s developed the last 18 months, but when you stop to think we’re only a year-and-a-half into this rebuilding, it’s phenomenal what we’ve accomplished by creating beauty out of adversity.
Wallach went on to commend the City of Greensburg for having passed a resolution in late 2007 mandating the construction of municipal facilities to LEED Platinum specifications. He also singled out several businesses for having made the effort to rebuild to similar levels of sustainability, such as BTI implement dealership which is also to be LEED Platinum and will likely serve as “a model” for dealerships around the country wanting to build or remodel to similar levels.
Shank Motors was also mentioned by Wallach for similar reasons, as was the local banks, local churches, Youth for Christ center and the 5.4.7 Arts Center, the very first LEED Platinum facility in the state.
Erica Goodman also announced the Well Done Campaign, meant to receive nominations from the public to recognize others of the community who’ve made significant contributions to the town’s recovery. Goodman said five to 10 qualifying nominations will be announced a month, with those so recognized receiving a metal sign outlining a wishing well under the words “Well Done.”
Also setting apart this community meeting was the opening set of several spiritual songs being sung, led by Tony and Deb Factor of Youth for Christ and Rev Christa Zapfe of the Lighthouse Assemblies of God congregation.
Zapfe said she asked God to send her to a place “with seasons” four years ago, just prior to her departure from Florida for Greensburg. Citing Florida as having just two seasons—hot and hotter, or wet and wetter—Zapfe said in addition to its traditional four seasons, southwest Kansas has two more—windy and windier. She then said she was convinced God is calling her and others of the community into a new season.
“The Lord is calling us into a season of Jubilee,” she said. “He’s calling us into a season to celebrate—to celebrate salvation and restoration. There’s much more to do, but so much to celebrate right here and now.” Indeed, it would seem there is.
Greensburg, KS —
