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THE BRUSH CREEK BULLETIN Volume 11, Issue 4 October / November / December 2009   BRUSH CREEK CORRIDOR TO BENEFIT FROM SMARTGRID STIMULUS GRANT A $24 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L) will help fund a fully integrated SmartGrid demonstration project in a large portion of midtown Kansas City, including the entire Green Impact Zone. The federal funds are part of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress earlier this year. Smart Grid will introduce consumer education and advanced technology that provides two-way communication between the utility and consumers, allowing the 14,000 customers in this area to better manage their electricity consumption and reduce electricity bills. A larger than life representation of an Energy Optimizer Thermostat greeted visitors at a December 5 Green Impact Zone community event, held to give participants information about opportunities for job training, home repair, home ownership and weatherization. The Energy Optimizer Thermostat is one of the products being made available through the SmartGrid project The five-year program will also feature the installation of renewable energy resources including: demonstration rooftop solar technologies at selected commercial buildings, government facilities and residences; and, neighborhood hybrid electric vehicle charging stations. KCP&L also proposes installation of more heat-pump water heaters and other high-efficiency home appliances. "This project is one step on the road to creating the model for the electric utility of the future, said KCP&L Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mike Chesser. "It represents a tremendous opportunity for us to collaborate with our customers by providing them better service and far more control over their energy usage." KCP&L and a coalition of SmartGrid industry partners are matching the grant with an additional $24 million and will also provide equipment, technical expertise and in-kind financial support to the project. The federal grant is among 32 awards made nationwide to support modernization and strengthening of the nation's electrical system. The Green Impact Zone is an initiative to target up to $200 million in federal stimulus funds in 150 square blocks of the Brush Creek Corridor east of Troost Avenue. The SmartGrid overlays the Green Impact Zone, encompassing the area from Swope Parkway to Main Street, 37th Street to 52nd Street. U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II of Kansas City developed the Green Impact Zone concept to focus job training, employment and housing weatherization opportunities to some of Kansas City's poorest neighborhoods. "Typically, 'green' investments have been reserved for those who cannot afford the upfront cost," said Cleaver. "In neighborhoods like these, where the median income is less than $20,000 a year, 'greening' is simply not possible. This plan removes that burden and reduces utility bills for those who need it most." KCP&L also plans to work with schools to educate children about energy efficiency and collaborate with community organizations to recruit and train residents from Kansas City's urban core to work in green technologies. URBAN RENEWAL AREA PLAN SUPPORTS IMPROVEMENTS IN MANHEIM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD Owners of single-family housing and commercial property in the southern half of the Historic Manheim Park Association (HMPA) neighborhood may be eligible for property tax abatement with an incentive created to encourage new development and improvement of residences and businesses in the 15 square block area. The Troost Paseo Urban Renewal Area (URA) plan approved by the City Council this fall generally includes the south side of 42nd Street to the north side of Emanuel Cleaver, II Boulevard, the west side of The Paseo to the west side of Troost Avenue. Owners of single family homes and qualified commercial property within this area with eligible projects can have their property taxes frozen for up to ten years upon the completion of a project. Residential projects must commit at least $5,000 for housing improvements; 25 percent of all projects, whether commercial or residential, must address exterior blighting factors. Eligible projects must be in conformance with existing area land use plans and adhere to design guidelines approved with the plan. HMPA and Brush Creek Community Partners (BCCP) were co- sponsors of the plan, working with the neighborhood for almost a year in its development. Kansas City's Neighborhood and Community Services Department awarded BCCP a contract to develop the Urban Renewal Area. The plan's approval puts the area in line for other tools and incentives that support urban core revitalization while establishing standards for redevelopment and deployment of these incentives. It compliments a URA plan developed for the northern half of the Manheim Park Neighborhood, between 39th and 42nd Streets, approved in 2004. HMPA and BCCP took the opportunity to invite the adjacent Rockhill Homes and Hyde Park Neighborhood Associations west of Troost Avenue to collaborate on establishing a vision and goals for the Troost Avenue boundary they share. Results of the area's environmental assessment and planning can be found on the BCCP website, www.bccp.org, clicking on the "Development" button. "I am pleased that Neighborhood and Community Services was able to assist with this project," said David Park, acting director of the city's Neighborhood and Community Services Department. "All who participated in the development of the plan should be proud of the result of their efforts." The administration of the tax abatement incentive is being managed by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA). More information can be found at www.edckc.com, clicking on LCRA under "Agencies," and selecting either the "Homeowners" or the "Multi-Family & Commercial" link. MRI HEADQUARTERS RENOVATION RECEIVES LEED CERTIFICATION Midwest Research Institute has earned LEED® Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the $25 million renovation of its Kansas City headquarters facility, making it one of the first renovated laboratory facilities to receive LEED certification in Missouri. MRI is a leading independent scientific research organization which conducts contract research for government, industry and academia. LEED is the nations' preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. As a result of a two-year renovation, MRI's Kansas City headquarters has nearly 50 percent more laboratory space and office space for an additional 150 staff without expanding its footprint. Green design elements provide energy savings resulting in a reduction of nearly 600 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Bob Greenspan Photography/courtesy of PGAV Architects The two-year renovation of MRI's facilities overlooking Brush Creek achieved two goals: solve the institution's space constraints driven by substantial growth over the past ten years; and, provide a facility that contributes to a more sustainable environment. The 80,000 square foot renovation was completed in January. Today, operating within the same 250,000 square foot building footprint, MRI has nearly 50 percent more laboratory space, office space for an additional 150 staff, and "green" design elements providing energy savings that have resulted in a reduction of nearly 600 metric tons of carbon dioxide when comparing adjusted energy usage data from the years 2008 to 2009. Earning LEED certification for the renovation of a 50-year old building is more difficult due to existing conditions that must be accommodated. The challenge for sustainability was even greater since the MRI facility includes laboratories that require up to five times the energy of a typical office building. As a result, however, MRI's renovated areas save nearly 19 percent in energy costs and the high efficiency plumbing fixtures reduce the volume of water used in the facility by nearly 29 percent. UMKC SIFE CHAPTER EARNS HONOR A trip to China highlighted a very successful year for members of the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter. SIFE Vice President Roger Moore (at left) is one of seven UMKC students welcomed at Nanjing University this fall. The group made presentations about the American cultural and education experience to more than 1,600 Chinese students interested in studying in the United States. For the second year in a row, UMKC's SIFE chapter earned first place honors in regional SIFE competition for its programs and services targeted to the community, including: distribution of over $5,000 of compact fluorescent light bulbs to neighborhood residents; developing a website with information on alternative transportation services such as carpools, buses and ride share programs; and circulation of the SIFE Financial Times newsletter on the economy and financial management to over 8,000 area high school students. UMKC's SIFE chapter placed in the top six percent of 2,300 universities in national competition. NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM GIVES AMERICAN INDIAN ART NEW PROMINENCE Native American art has been given unprecedented emphasis in its display by a comprehensive art museum with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art's opening of a suite of American Indian galleries in November. Nearly 200 works of American Indian Art, including recognized masterworks, occupy more than 6,100 square feet adjacent to the museum's recently installed American galleries. "Shield," ca. 1850. is among the almost 200 works of in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art's permanent collection in its new American Indian Galleries. From the Arikara, this shield and cover depicts the buffalo bull, the owner's guardian spirit. "It is our intent to present American Indian Art as an important part of America's cultural legacy," said Marc F. Wilson, the museum's Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell director and chief executive officer. "Together, the American galleries and the new American Indian galleries will provide visitors with an uninterrupted, contiguous look at the achievements of American artists from pre-European contact to the present, something rarely if ever done by a fine arts museum." CORRIDOR UNIVERSITIES RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE The University of Missouri-Kansas City has been named one of the Top 25 "Best Neighbor" universities in the country based on its contributions to the community, according to "Saviors of Our Cities: A Survey of Best Colleges and University Civic Partnerships." The 25 schools were selected based "on their positive impact on their urban communities-both commercial and residential activities-such as revitalization, cultural renewal, economics and community service and development." UMKC was recognized for its Center for Economic Information, the Innovation Center, the Small Business and Technology Development Center and the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design. Rockhurst University is receiving the 2008-2009 American Humanics Community Service and Volunteerism Benchmark Award. The university offers the American Humanics National Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Rockhurst students in the program contributed nearly 1,300 hours of service to the community in the 2008-2009 academic year, averaging over 22 hours per student. Rockhurst made significant contributions to local agencies of several national organizations and students organized a neighborhood security and community engagement meeting to discuss common concerns with the surrounding neighborhood. Students and other Rockhurst representatives will receive the award in Phoenix in January. BLUE PARKWAY SHOPS WELCOME NEW TENANTS Despite the tough economy, the owner of The Shops on Blue Parkway announced three new businesses were moving into the retail and office center along Blue Parkway at Kensington Avenue. Bill Jones, president of Swope Community Builders which owns The Shops, announced the business growth at a media event preceding a meeting for approximately 50 commercial brokers in October. Several city leaders praised the businesses for making their products and services available to residents of the area. "Swope Community Builders had a dream that the neighborhoods it served deserved the amenities of any other neighborhood," said Fifth District at-Large City Councilwoman Cindy Circo. "We are excited to see that dream come to fruition. I will continue to support Swope in its good works and look forward to the future." The new businesses include: Boost Mobile, a national mobile phone store; Blue Parkway Cleaners, which offers dry cleaning, tailoring and alterations; and Burger King, which is building a new restaurant to open early 2010. Announcements concerning more new businesses in The Shops are anticipated. "We have just begun to study data that indicates this part of urban Kansas City is grossly underserved by retail, service, and restaurant businesses," said The Shops broker Greg Patterson, president, Greg Patterson and Associates. He cited information detailing the more than 137,000 residents of The Shops trade area represented $137,883 in purchasing power per acre. Patterson told commercial brokers that a recent consumer research study revealed the area would eagerly support stores offering shoes, clothing for adults and children and beauty supplies. A quality sit-down restaurant is also welcome. The 156,000 square foot commercial center opened in October 2005. As part of The Shops' fourth anniversary observances, Swope Community Enterprises' Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer E. Frank Ellis announced establishment of a Wall of Honor, recognizing people whose outstanding efforts have promoted redevelopment east of Troost Avenue. U.S. Senator Christopher (Kit) Bond is the first person to so honored. BRYANT BRINGS A MIX OF PROFESSIONAL TALENT AND PERSONAL PASSION TO POSITION AS BCCP VICE PRESIDENT Brush Creek Community Partners' new Vice President Kevin Bryant brings a unique mix of expertise in marketing and finance and a strong interest in the people in Kansas City's urban core to his position on the Board of Directors. Bryant is vice president of Energy Solutions, a division of Kansas City Power & Light, where he leads collaboration with customers on energy efficiency initiatives and customer demand programs. His department is now leading work on the SmartGrid, a demonstration project in the Green Impact Zone and Midtown areas of Kansas City. Last month KCP&L received a $24 million Department of Energy stimulus grant to fund SmartGrid, which the company says will be combined with $24 million in private investment. SmartGrid will use Kansas City's urban core, including a large part of the Brush Creek Corridor, as a national model for electrical delivery and efficiency. Kevin Bryant (left), KCP&L vice president and vice president of the BCCP Board of Directors discusses the SmartGrid with U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (center) and Michael Chesser, chairman of Great Plains Energy and KCP&L. The Green Impact Zone is an initiative spearheaded by U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II, to target as much as $200 million in federal stimulus funding in 150 square blocks along the Brush Creek Corridor east of Troost Avenue to provide job training, employment and housing weatherization opportunities. Energy efficiency fits very easily into BCCP's economic development mission, Bryant says. "The electric utility business is really tied to the prosperity of the region. Part of our strategy as a company is to grow our service area. So we are as tied to the economic growth of this region as any other business." Bryant sees "tremendous opportunities" in the Green Impact Zone, including reduction of energy use, increased employment, improved housing conditions, advanced environmental initiatives, and improvement of vacant lots. He sees BCCP as an essential element in the effort. "Brush Creek Community Partners can build engagement across the zone, he says. "We can build relationships with community groups." He also believes BCCP will continue to serve as a powerful conduit for bringing support to the Green Impact Zone effort. Bryant held leadership positions in strategic planning and finance for several companies before joining KCP&L. He was elected to the BCCP board in November 2008 and was immediately able to apply his financial expertise to BCCP's Audit Committee, which he says is building upon the organization's sound mission to discover new avenues to expand its work. "We have an opportunity to find ways to drive the financial engine and to find innovative ways to fund this organization," he says. Finally, Bryant brings a personal energy to BCCP's work. "I have quite a bit of interest in developing the urban core of Kansas City," he says. He finds it satisfying to be involved with the educational institutions and arts organizations and events in the Corridor.