Opinion > Columnists > Randy Scholfield

Posted on Fri, May. 02, 2008

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Greensburg showing way for Wichita

Wichita could learn a few things from Greensburg, the little town obliterated by a tornado a year ago.

Greensburg is reinventing itself as the Greenest Town in America.

Instead of looking back, it's embracing the future.

And the world is taking notice of its ambitious, even audacious, vision -- to become the most ecofriendly town in the world.

Who says nothing interesting ever happens in Kansas?

"We want to model what's possible" in 21st century American towns and cities, Daniel Wallach told me this week.

Wallach heads a nonprofit group, Greensburg GreenTown, that is spearheading efforts to reimagine the town as a model of green technology and sustainable living.

Wallach allowed that initially, some people were skeptical of the idea. This isn't tree-hugger country.

But once townsfolk understood the practical benefits of going green -- saving on heating and cooling bills, living in healthier homes, attracting new jobs -- they "got it." It was just Midwestern common sense.

The town has now proudly embraced its new identity as a "green town."

The new master plan, approved in January, calls for every public building to be constructed to LEED platinum standards (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and platinum is the highest rating).

There are also plans to build a dozen model "eco-homes" that would be testing grounds for a variety of environmental building materials and techniques from "green roofs" and double-paned windows to bamboo flooring. Visitors will even be able to spend the night in one, Wallach told me, to get a firsthand feel for green homes and learn more about them.

When it's all finished, Greensburg will have more green buildings than any place in the country.

This isn't futuristic stuff. Most of the technology is available now. And it works.

An example: The town recently received a donation of 400 water-saving toilets for residential homes.

Those 400 toilets will save at least 5 million gallons of water a year, Wallach said.

He wondered aloud: How many millions of gallons of water could Wichita save if it encouraged residents to adopt this new technology?

Greensburg hopes its model town will not only draw ecotourism but also spur other communities to ask those questions and reimagine their futures.

"There are endless possibilities," Wallach said -- and some of them, like the ecotourism, could benefit Wichita, too.

Wallach said that big challenges somehow bring out the best in us.

"Having a vision that's greater than what you think you can accomplish -- it energizes people," he said.

Residents also noticed that adopting an exciting, forward-looking vision has fired up young people, many of whom now talk about staying in Greensburg.

It hasn't been easy. Big hurdles remain. But Greensburg is showing that the pioneer spirit is alive and well in Kansas.

In Wichita, several major new public buildings are in the works -- a new downtown arena, airport, library and several schools, among others. And yet there's been little discussion about how these buildings could incorporate green features and not only save taxpayers money but also model this city's commitment to stewardship of the planet.

Is Wichita doing enough to attract exciting green-collar jobs that could keep some of our young people here?

In Wichita, we can't seem to even get a credible recycling program started, although smaller towns nearby have done so.

Sometimes it seems that our motto should be: No, we can't.

Greensburg's rebirth reminds us that amazing things happen when you dream big and reach for the stars.

Randy Scholfield is an Eagle editorial writer. His column appears on Fridays. Reach him at 316-268-6545 or rscholfield@wichitaeagle.com.