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West Union to serve as 'green' Main St. model
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| Masonic Lodge #69 in West Union recently underwent a makeover which resulted in winning a Best Facade Improvement Award from Main Street Iowa. |
WEST UNION ‹ The Iowa Department of Economic Development's (IDED) has announced that West Union, a Main Street community, was selected as one of two cities to participate in a "green" initiatives pilot project to create best practices and serve as models for other communities to become more environmentally friendly.
"Being chosen as a Green Pilot Community will enable West Union to learn ways to build a more sustainable community in many ways. A streetscape project that is scheduled for 2009 would incorporate 'green' aspects through the development of a storm water system which currently does not exist in our downtown area," said West Union Chamber of Commerce Director Robin Bostrom.
Bostrom said city personnel have been learning about alternatives to storm water run-off that could work for the city. One of the possible alternatives would be the construction of Bio-swales to store storm water.
"We are learning about permeable concrete for parking areas and ways to recycle old concrete and asphalt from streets and parking areas. We will also work with all downtown building owners to do energy audits on their buildings to find ways to improve the heating and cooling costs. We will look at alternatives and possibilities that have a positive effect on the environment and will leave less waste going to landfills," Bostrom pointed out.
One of the first events scheduled in the "green" plan is a Green Design Charatte on June 24, 25, and 26 with Jim Patchett, an expert in green design. He will be coming to West Union along with a team from Main Street Iowa.
Bostrom said that the goal of the project will be to develop and implement several "Green Development" stategies that others can come to West Union to learn about.
"We will be able to share our experiences with other communities in the state as we all move toward developing a more sustainable way of life. We will have much to learn but West Union is really excited about this partnership," she said.
The West Union community, while partnering with Alliant Energy, will receive technical assistance, training, and financial incentives from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) to complete a new, environmentally responsible and innovative streetscape. Their first step will include participating in an Iowa Green Streets Planning and Design Workshop conducted by Conservation Design Forum, Inc.
"West Union is set to embark on a huge streetscape project at the same time our department is really fine tuning our focus on green initiatives. Our timing for developing a model green streetscape project that other communities can emulate is perfect," said Tim Waddell, administrator of IDED's Community Development Division. "We are delighted to present this opportunity to West Union and have high expectations for a successful outcome."
IDED is in the very early stages of identifying green practices that can be replicated across the state.
For more information, about IDED's green initiatives, visit www.iowalifechanging.com/community or contact Tim Waddell, Community Development Division Administrator at tim.waddell@iowalifechanging.com or 515.242.4780.
"Being chosen as a Green Pilot Community will enable West Union to learn ways to build a more sustainable community in many ways. A streetscape project that is scheduled for 2009 would incorporate 'green' aspects through the development of a storm water system which currently does not exist in our downtown area," said West Union Chamber of Commerce Director Robin Bostrom.
Bostrom said city personnel have been learning about alternatives to storm water run-off that could work for the city. One of the possible alternatives would be the construction of Bio-swales to store storm water.
"We are learning about permeable concrete for parking areas and ways to recycle old concrete and asphalt from streets and parking areas. We will also work with all downtown building owners to do energy audits on their buildings to find ways to improve the heating and cooling costs. We will look at alternatives and possibilities that have a positive effect on the environment and will leave less waste going to landfills," Bostrom pointed out.
One of the first events scheduled in the "green" plan is a Green Design Charatte on June 24, 25, and 26 with Jim Patchett, an expert in green design. He will be coming to West Union along with a team from Main Street Iowa.
Bostrom said that the goal of the project will be to develop and implement several "Green Development" stategies that others can come to West Union to learn about.
"We will be able to share our experiences with other communities in the state as we all move toward developing a more sustainable way of life. We will have much to learn but West Union is really excited about this partnership," she said.
The West Union community, while partnering with Alliant Energy, will receive technical assistance, training, and financial incentives from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) to complete a new, environmentally responsible and innovative streetscape. Their first step will include participating in an Iowa Green Streets Planning and Design Workshop conducted by Conservation Design Forum, Inc.
"West Union is set to embark on a huge streetscape project at the same time our department is really fine tuning our focus on green initiatives. Our timing for developing a model green streetscape project that other communities can emulate is perfect," said Tim Waddell, administrator of IDED's Community Development Division. "We are delighted to present this opportunity to West Union and have high expectations for a successful outcome."
IDED is in the very early stages of identifying green practices that can be replicated across the state.
For more information, about IDED's green initiatives, visit www.iowalifechanging.com/community or contact Tim Waddell, Community Development Division Administrator at tim.waddell@iowalifechanging.com or 515.242.4780.
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