Cleaver to Announce Federal Planning Grant for Climate Sustainability Center in Green Impact Zone
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Cleaver, II is proud to announce that the City of Kansas City, Missouri through its Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a $350,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to study and plan for the development of a Climate Sustainability Center. The Center is to be located east of Troost at Volker Boulevard and signals a significant federal investment in an anchor project for what is now known as the Green Impact Zone. The grant includes a local match for the Center study and is part of the ongoing revitalization of the Brush Creek Corridor and a continuation of the “Cleaver Plan” through the addition of a unique, cutting edge “green” facility. The award of a planning grant puts the project in line for a potential construction grant from the EDA.
“I cannot think of a more exciting place to be than right here, right now. There is nothing like this project anywhere in the country and I am proud it could be sited east of Troost. We have an opportunity to both change the way the world thinks about green and change the way we have historically seen the east side,” said Cleaver. “Along this corridor, some of the world’s most brilliant minds are working on some of the most difficult problems. Side by side are the Midwest Research Institute, the Kauffman Foundation and the Stowers Institute for bio-research. This is our opportunity to push that innovation and energy east of Troost and focus on the great global challenge of our time,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II.
“We are pleased to be a partner in this project with the EDA as we take a comprehensive approach to making the green economy of the future a reality in a distressed portion of the City. We are excited to be a part of a model that cities around the nation are watching,” said John Fierro, President of the Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners.
The Center’s mission will be to harness the talent and ingenuity of Kansas City to develop a sustainable workforce for green jobs, environmentally-friendly applications and products, and research for the 21st Century. As such, the Center will constitute a significant partnership between the University of Missouri at Kansas City, the area’s corporate, institutional and labor communities, and the City of Kansas City. Championed by Congressman Cleaver, the Center is envisioned to have three components:
- Education/Job Training – The curriculum, including classroom, laboratory and work shop programs will be established by the job providers and educational partners.The programs will provide hands-on training and employment opportunity services to students and graduates.
- Research – The Center will provide educational, research, and laboratory studies for the study of climate change and development of environmentally friendly applications and products that reduce our carbon footprint. A green small business incubator will also be part of the Center.
- Botanic Garden – A cutting-edge, hands-on Botanical Garden will provide opportunity for botanists, horticulturists, scientists, students and the public to cultivate, categorize, document and tend to a wide variety of plants native to the area and to focus on climate-friendly agriculture techniques and processes for farmers and related small businesses.
Just as exciting as the work being done inside the facility is the proposed building itself. The Center is envisioned to go beyond LEED platinum and be a “Living Campus.” The Center will generate its own electricity, perform on-site storm water collection for reuse or treatment through green practices. Green building technological features such as roof photovoltaic panels for generation of electricity, natural ventilation, and a building design which optimizes solar exposure will make the Center a one-of-a-kind, world class facility.