Kathleen Sebelius

In May of 2007, the town of Greensburg was nearly destroyed by an EF5 tornado

The impact of the tornado was also felt across the entire country. Over the past year, thousands of volunteers joined together to help Greensburg rebuild.

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the rebuilding process has been the innovation and creativity put into its redevelopment as America’s ‘greenest’ small-town.

The Greensburg City Council unanimously approved a resolution that requires all city building projects be built to meet LEED Platinum level standards.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building rating system that the remarkable students of Studio 804 are embracing as they focus on creating a sustainable, renewable infrastructure for Greensburg residents to enjoy for generations to come.

The 5.4.7 Arts Center, a prototype designed by the Studio 804 students, is the first facility in Kansas to meet LEED Platinum Certified standards. It joins fewer than 70 buildings in the country with that prestigious designation. This could not be achieved without the determination of bright young students and the overwhelming support of a community amenable to a greener way of life.

I commend these students for their exhaustive efforts helping the citizens of Greensburg jumpstart their goals of a progressively green community.

As we imagine what Greensburg will look like five, ten, or fifteen years from now, we can all be proud to know that not only has this town been restored, it has become a role model for cities across the nation.