Katz, Sapper & Miller: Provides 'Green Makeover' at Broad Ripple School in Indianapolis

(INDIANAPOLIS) -- Last week, 215 employees of locally-based certified public accounting firm Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP rolled up their sleeves and donated their time as they take part in KSM Community Day, the firm's first-ever day of community service. The event took place at Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts & Humanities. Katz, Sapper & Miller employees spent the day working together alongside students to provide a "green makeover" of the school grounds. The project was being coordinated by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.

As part of the beautification project, 50 trees were planted around the school. That activity is part of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful's NeighborWoods program, which has a goal of planting 100,000 trees in the city of Indianapolis between 2007 and 2017. Additionally, Katz, Sapper & Miller volunteers planted ornamental grasses and over 100 perennials in 28 planters around the school grounds, along with weeding existing grass and concrete beds and planting over 100 daffodil bulbs and native plants in those areas.

Other volunteers participated in projects involving the construction of a stone wall and pathway and the building and installation of five planter benches, including a planter bench shade structure made from materials that once comprised the roof of the former RCA Dome. The planting of perennials and mulching rounded out the outdoor activities while inside the school volunteers painted a mural.

"Katz, Sapper & Miller has a long history of giving back to the community through our participation with a variety of charitable and not-for-profit organizations," said David Resnick, Managing Partner. "Establishing an annual day of service where we could integrate our philanthropic interests with our environmental concerns seemed like a logical next step, and we're excited to be partnering with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful in this important endeavor at Broad Ripple High School."

"We are so proud of this inaugural partnership with Katz, Sapper and Miller," said David Forsell, President of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. "KIB works in a collaborative process, bringing together people from all over the city for the common purpose of cleaning up and greening up. Broad Ripple High School came to KIB through our Project Green Schools program looking for just that. The work accomplished at the school will have a long-lasting impact on the school grounds, the students and the neighborhood."

Let INDOT know that we want a Complete Streets policy

Hello, Complete Streets supporter!

There is an opportunity to provide INDOT with information about Complete Streets. In addition to public hearings being held this week in several parts of the state, comments from the public can be submitted directly to INDOT via an online form on their website.

Please take this opportunity to let INDOT know that we want a Complete Streets policy as part of the planning for the safety of our citizens. Please take just a few minutes to click on the link below and leave a comment in your own words that contains one of the following messages:

1. For these and all future planning projects, please use Complete Streets policy
2. All projects should be accessible by all modes of travel, including vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and transit
3. Complete streets elements should be a key part of your planning
4. Have the needs of all users been considered as with a Complete Streets policy?
   

http://www.in.gov/indot/div/public/INSTIPCommentForm.htm

When INDOT hears from many of you from all over the state, they will understand that the public is interested in the planning and construction of our local, state, and federal roadways.

THANK YOU for sending your message!
The Indiana Coalition for Complete Streets

Congress needs to hear from you!

UPARR is Back! ASLA members are encouraged to use the Advocacy Network to urge their legislators to co-sponsor H.R. 3734, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act. This measure would provide grants for the creation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of parks and recreational spaces. The legislation includes several provisions that could utilize the skills of landscape architects. H.R. 3734 is meant to replace the now “defunct” Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program.

Currently ASLA members have sent 237 messages to their members of Congress. However, more advocacy efforts are needed – please send your message today!

INASLA's Tour of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Headquarters

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) Headquarters in Fountain Square Indianapolis, Indiana, is the first civic nonprofit building in Indiana to receive LEED-Gold certification by the US Green Building Council. The Indiana Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects (INASLA) teamed with KIB to sponsor a KIB facility and grounds sustainability tour on September 24, 2009. The event brought back a team of professionals that worked together to make the new KIB Headquarters possible. Presenters included Cameron Smith – Shiel Sexton project engineer, Phil Schaefer - KIB VP of programs, and Chris Ranck - RW Armstrong project manager.

The KIB-INASLA event began with a presentation on LEED certification. Cameron Smith led the charge as the LEED administrator for the KIB facility and discussed the LEED design and process. He discussed the importance of having LEED goals defined early in the process and the roles they play. As the LEED administrator, Cameron was the link from the owner to the MEP, Architect, General Contractor, Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect. Sharing his experience and professional knowledge on LEED, Cameron was able to reach out to the audience and deliver a terrific PowerPoint presentation.

To develop the KIB LEED program, Cameron used an ECO-charette, or a collaborative design session in which multi-discipline professionals bring ideas and solutions together to meet design intent. Having multiple disciplines participate in the charette gave everyone an opportunity to reach out and explore ideas and defuse problems that normally arise in the design development phase. Discussions revolved around “Green Vegetative” versus “White” roofs. Questions included: “What is roof access and visibility?” “What are energy savings, weight, additional reinforcement, and cost?” “Should the roof drainage be routed and sent to one of the rain gardens to be filtered or should water be captured to a cistern?” Weighing each options’ advantages play an important role in the LEED certification process, design and construction.

Education and outreach programs at KIB are an important part of their sustainable program. Upon arrival at KIB, one will immediately notice the interpretive signage that tells the KIB LEED story on innovative green technology. Simple changes to traditional design and building functions allow for immediate benefits in savings. There are more than twenty interpretive panels installed throughout the site. Phil Schaefer brought the interpretive signs to life as he led the group through the building on an interactive guided tour. His enthusiasm and first hand knowledge on facility energy savings, construction, maintenance and operational benefits are inspiring.

KIB LEED facility savings are broken into five categories: conserving energy, protecting water, making places, purifying air and reducing consumption. So one may ask, “What makes the KIB facility green?” The site is developed on a Brownfield, and stormwater drains through a pervious concrete parking lot to planting beds and rain gardens. Wind turbines generate electricity, and a cistern collects white roof water. The facility has carpet tiles made from mill scraps, occupancy-sensored lighting controls, day lighting, a water conservation bathroom system and a multi-functional storage and gathering space. KIB aligned established facility goals with their mission of “Uniting people to build community and transform public spaces through aesthetic and environmental improvement”.

A discussion on how KIB and the City of Indianapolis manage stormwater concluded the tour. Chris Ranck demonstrated a great PowerPoint presentation and led a panel discussion on small micro sites and large macro metropolitan site practice and policy. He emphasized stormwater control and monitoring for micro and macro stormwater systems need to work together to improve existing systems. Chris also reviewed stormwater practices that will benefit Indianapolis’ combined sewer overflow (CSO) system.

CSOs are sewer systems designed to collect rainwater runoff and domestic sewage in the same pipe. The frequency of overflow events has been increasing over the years. During an overflow, sewage gets discharged into nearby streams and water bodies. This untreated waste is toxic to stream ecosystems. Today, there are 772 cities in the United States that have CSOs. The Indianapolis CSO system is currently under review along with other metropolitan cities across the country. Green infrastructure systems are proving to be a cost-effective approach that is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

At the KIB facility, Chris completed a “micro scale” stormwater model. From data collected, he is able to extrapolate “micro-scale” benefits to “macro-scale” sites. By calculating benefits on a “micro-scale” and generating “macro-scale” models, preliminary studies are showing a cost savings on a micro level and the potential for tremendous cost savings at the macro level. Based on the analysis to date, the City of Indianapolis’ could realize $10,000 - $20,000 per acre in CSO capital cost savings per acre of redevelopment similar to KIB. However, the city is cautious in factoring in these savings into current CSO project designs until more green infrastructure sites have been built.

The City of Indianapolis model shows how we can reduce total CSO events per year in a time when we are seeing an increase in 100 year storm events resulting in more CSO events than ever before. Chris also noted Indianapolis has a pilot project called the Fall Creek bio-retention which entails post construction monitoring, water quantity and water quality. Monitoring these systems has tangible benefits. Chris also noted the Green Infrastructure Master Plan prepared by the Office of Sustainability and Williams Creek Consulting.

By the numbers, the KIB LEED-Gold certified facility has 25% (53,000 kWh/year) energy savings, 36% (16,500 gallons/year) water savings, and 79% (535 tons) waste reduction diverted from landfill. This is a $7,500 annual savings with an average 15 year return on investment. Other benefits include a heightened profile and the opportunity to tour over 3,000 people through the facility in less than a year, each of them learning more about KIB’s impact in the city.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and Indiana Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects would like to thank everyone who presented and participated in the KIB tour.

Presentation contact information:

Phil G. D. Schaefer, VP of Programs
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB)
1029 Fletcher Ave.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46203
ph 317.264.7555
ph 317.264.7555 x 109 (direct)
www.kibi.org
pschaefer@kibi.org

Cameron Smith, Project Engineer LEED- AP
SHIEL SEXTON HEADQUARTERS
902 North Capitol Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
ph 317.423.6000
Fax 317.423.6300
www.shielsexton.com
csmith@shielsexton.com

Chris Ranck, Project Manager
RW Armstrong
Union Station / 300 South Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225
ph 317.780.7263
ph 317.327.8728 (ICST)
fx 317.788.0957
www.rwarmstrong.com
www.cranck@rwa.com

Jhennifer Sanchez, LEEP-AP
Smock Fansler Corporation
2910 W. Minnesota St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46241
ph 317.248.8371
www.smockfansler.com
* Construction representation for panel discussion.

Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization affiliated with professionals around the world. WEF works to preserve and enhance the global water environment.
* The WEF organization claims a copyright on Chris Ranck’s technical paper and presentation,

Ball State University Master of Urban Design Program

The Urban Design degree is a brand new program to Ball State. It is a combination of Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning's pre-existing degrees: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Historic Preservation.

Urban Design is the process of transforming spaces into places that inspire active civic life by design and creative problem solving. Urban Designers study places of interest that may have been forgotten or neglected and imagine a new life for those places. The master's students at Ball State learn through real- life experiences and interaction with surrounding professionals and communities. The profession requires a broad knowledge of topics including sustainability, community engagement, and much more. More information regarding the Urban Design program is found by visiting the BSU Indianapolis CEnter at 50 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis or by visiting here.

To learn more on Ball State University offerings for Architecture, Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, contact Mr. Brad Beaubien or Ms. SHerri Agnew at the Ball State University Indanapolis Campus.

ACE Mentor Program, Manual H. S. – Bring out the “Bumwad”

Hosting the event, Ball State University Indianapolis (BSU) invited ACE Mentor students of Manual High School to learn about Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design. Mr. Brad Beaubien, BSU Indianapolis Director, teamed with Ms. Sherri Agnew, an Urban Design Graduate Assistant, to review Ball State University campus and make recommendations to students planning for college. Ms. Agnew offered insight on her preparation for college and professional development experiences. She gave students motivation and encouragement for High School college preparation classes and summer course offerings.

BSU HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER WORKSHOP
Sherri Agnew discussed an introductory program to the College of Architecture and Planning that is offered to high school students. This program is a two-week summer workshop that introduces students to the exciting world of environmental design and problem solving by enjoyable hands-on activities and projects. During those two weeks, students live in the dorms, become acquainted with the campus, architecture building and faculty. The program is taught by Ball State CAP faculty and assisted by students in the Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Urban Planning undergraduate programs. Interested students and family can visit here for more information.


BSU INDIANAPOLIS
To expand on college offerings, Mr. Beaubien and Ms. Agnew discussed BSU’s Indianapolis campus advantages and work they do in the City of Indianapolis. One upcoming project, the Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) will be held on October 28, 29 and 30. This event will have national companies, local professionals and community members joining together to explore sustainable neighborhood renewal. The SDAT will be a three day charrette, concentrating on gathering community input, visions and policies that benefit community and neighborhood redevelopment. Some of the ACE Mentors from Manual Team will be participating in it and hope to bring an anticipated commuter train station site from the charrette to share with all of the ACE Teams as their ACE project site.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Presenting Landscape Architecture on behalf of Claire Bennett and Associates (CBA) was Mr. Doug Decker and Mr. Dan Krzywicki. They discussed the Landscape Architecture design and plan implementation process on the JW Marriott project.


The new 1400 room Indianapolis JW Marriott Hotel complex has been an exciting project for them and the City of Indianapolis. It is the crown jewel of Marriott and will be connected to newly expanded Indiana Convention Center via skybridge.

Referencing the JW Marriott, Mr. Decker emphasized that Landscape Architecture involves creative thought to manipulate the physical environment. He explained to the students that this project and others evolve through a collaborative process involving numerous design disciplines working as a team. The students gained valuable information and now realize it is common to develop multiple concepts before a final plan gets approval.

Mr. Decker also informed the ACE students that due to the JW Marriott’s premiere downtown location, the highly visible site has been designed to reflect the State of Indiana history. Intriguing design elements include sculptural abstractions of the state tree (Tulip tree), state bird (Cardinal) and state flower (Peony) designed with a water feature as part of an art plaza designed in collaboration with a public artist.

While discussing the JW Marriott project, Mr. Decker expanded on other types of Landscape Architecture projects; stating that each new project presents design challenges and opportunities. Projects range from the revitalization of downtowns and historic main streets, to waterfront master planning, to parks and greenways master planning and design, and sustainable “Green” design practices.



Mr. Decker explained that in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, each project goes through a similar process; the project program, conceptual design, design development, construction documentation and construction administration. As a Landscape Architect or architect, one participates on a wide variety of private and public projects and there are on-going partnerships and collaboration with multi-discipline design firms.

Mr. Decker concluded with a statement that the Landscape Architect’s (and Architect’s) profession is committed to continuing education, personal and professional well being and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. They value the environment and embrace the principles of sound sustainable planning and design.

ACE MENTOR STUDENT PROJECT - “BUMWAD”, ARCHITECTURE
Student teams were organized into groups for an architectural design activity. ACE Mentors, Matt Bartlett (The ACE Team Leader for Manual), Daryn Fair, Kara Cwalina, Mike Tanis and Evans Wells, all assisted the students in their quest for ideas and accurate drawings - with a creative flare.

The sharpie markers were FAT and juice was rolling; “bumwad” was flying through the air and the ball caps were tossed in the corner. The students were taught some concept plan basics in a collaborative group effort. Teamed with their mentors; each group was given the charge to re-design a conference room space into a grand reception and entry for the BSU Center with a welcome desk, lounge seating, connecting passages and doorways as well as to explore finish and flooring options. Of course, there were BIG screen TV’s added to design by students.

To begin, they surveyed the working space to define existing area parameters. Then they grabbed some tape measures to ensure accurate measurements. Two team members measured space while another documented the distance on a base drawing. No rubber scales or foot measurements were permitted. Students learned to how to read architectural scales and created scaled drawings. Then each team was challenged to redesign the room on bumwad trace over their scaled plan.

Each group then gave a brief presentation of their scheme; the presentations were terrific! It is amazing how much is gained with students engaged in such an experience. Each team developed a design using the same space and each team came up with creative and unique designs that offered spirit and sense of ownership.

Rainwater Harvesting and Condensate Recovery - New Tools for Sustainable Site Development - A Presentation by Tom Barrett

"Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink." wrote Samuel Taylor Coleridge in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. In its Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers rated our nation's wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water systems a "D” minus. This is the lowest grade in any infrastructure category. The most alarming conclusion is the next lowest grade is "F" - FAILURE. Over the last fifty years America has not invested in new practices and technologies which can enhance our infrastructure and our environment. Rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery are transformative approaches to sustainable site development. "The over-borrowing, over-consuming, and under-innovation (is) now in the US. . .," Antonio van Aqtmael said in an October 2007 issue of Newsweek. As engineering solutions to water management that protects, restores, and mimics the natural water cycle. Rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery incorporates both the natural environment and engineered systems to provide clean water, conserve ecosystems, and provide a wide variety of benefits for people and wildlife. Additionally, all this can be accomplished at a significantly lower cost than conventional concrete and mortar infrastructure. Join Tom Barrett as he explains how the use of locally produced water helps develop a “natural approach” to efficient use of water and relieves stormwater management issues.

What Others Said About This Presentation:
". . . best class at CCGT so far, rainwater data, new ideas, charts and stats, all the different ways I can use the rainwater for my home."

" . . . great speaker, the positive outlook, no blame game, examples (drip system), knowledgeable, class got to participate.

Speaker’s Biography - Tom Barrett

Tom Barrett is an accomplished corporate growth and change agent with over thirty years of landscape industry experience. Tom’s leadership experience, holding executive level positions, drives corporate revenue growth through change and innovation for business start-ups, corporate expansions, and divisional turnarounds. Tom Barrett has been delivering energetic, dynamic presentations and training for over twenty years. These presentations empower people to become masters of change rather than victims of circumstance by developing tools for transformative thinking. "Tom's been a leader with smart water technologies, green roofs, rainwater harvesting and other emerging technologies well before they became buzzwords at water conferences. It's impressive to work with Tom because he knows his stuff from the ground up.” - Jeff Carowitz, Principal, Strategic Force, Inc.

Creative Projects with Concrete and More!

Are you looking for a way to improve your projects? Feel like there is something holding you back? Do you desire more? Then being creative in your projects should evolve with your projects. Working with specialized contractors will give you an opportunity to deliver notable projects with cost effective solutions.

How do you find good contractors? Good contractors can be found on Angie’s list, at building supply stores, at job sites, and through referrals. Look for companies that have been in business for a number of years, talk with other consultants and ask the clients if they were satisfied with quality of work and time it took to complete the job. Finding contractors to bid projects may take some time initially, and once you have an approved group, you will see great results. Some of your projects can list pre-qualified or preferred member contractors. A good contractor creates a win-win situation that can promote competitive bidding, reduce change orders and improve construction documents when they go out for bid.

Why do contractors help? Why not? Contractors love the opportunity to participate as a project member, especially when they can bid the work. They can offer design and material suggestions, make recommendations on design details, and schedules. They help can be extremely valuable and they are a great resource for design details. Conventional design details can make or break a great project and knowing what allowances to make when they are modified can ease the construction process, save time and potential cost savings.

Construction industry professionals offer contractor services for construction management; value engineering, quality control, cost estimating, constructability analysis, and construction. Some contractors offer fee based services while others work or team with consultants for bid packages. They can also help identify ways reduce project cost, while maintaining design intent, quality details and specifications.

A recent site visit at Smock Fansler gave me the opportunity to learn more about taking a standard product and making it unique. Smock Fansler is quoted saying, “It’s not about construction; it’s about better places to live”. They specialize in concrete products and more. One of their concrete specialty items includes pervious pavement. They have several test plots where pervious concrete was mixed and poured using different material size, shape and balance. At Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s new LEED-Gold facility, pervious concrete tested met the criteria and successfully installed.

They have many unique projects that began as a “Big Idea” and evolved into a work of art. They love projects that challenge creative minds and enjoy working with Landscape Architects on gardens, parks, fountains, hardscapes, specialty molds, special soil blends for green projects and everything concrete. They offer stamped, colored and stenciled concrete finishes, custom concrete rocks/boulders, exposed aggregate finishes, custom art molds and pervious concrete. Some concrete test include durability, weight, along with textures, acid stained, sealants, and lighting using special materials to enhance look at night while maintaining a natural look.

To learn more on creative solutions and sustainable construction practice at Smock Fansler, bring your questions to the INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation on October 23, 2009. Smock Fansler representatives will discuss projects from a contractors point of view. For your project needs, contact Ms. Jhennifer Sanchez, LEEP-AP at 317-248-8371.

The ACE Mentor Program - Learn why so many people have become mentors.

The ACE Mentor Program was founded in 1995 as an innovative way of attracting students, particularly minorities, women and the less privileged into engineering profession. It is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in the design/build construction industry through mentoring; and to support their continued advancement in the industry through scholarships and grants.

The program relies on mentors, professionals from leading design and construction firms, who devote countless off-duty hours and personal energy to introduce students to a broad range of people, projects and career possibilities within the construction industry.

In 1991, working with the Explorer Program of the Boy Scouts of America, the program began with one team of thirty students, mentored by volunteers from four firms. Year-by-year, participation grew and in 1995, the independent nonprofit ACE Mentor Program, Inc. was formed.

The program growth has been phenomenal:

• From one team of 30 students in one city mentored by volunteers from four firms in 1991
• To teams in twenty-eight cities with more than 1800 students and 600 professional mentors in 2003
• To teams in sixty-four cities with more than 3,600 students and 1200 mentors in 2004
• To teams in eighty cities with more than 5,000 students and 1500 mentors in 2006
• To teams in ninety-three cities with more than 7,500 students and 2100 mentors in 2007
• To teams in one hundred and thirty-six cities with more than 9,300 students and over 2500 mentors in 2008

Since 1995, more than 50,000 students have had the opportunity to participate in the ACE Mentoring program. 80% are minority, 52% are female and 92% go on to 2 or 4 year colleges, training or apprenticeship programs.

All activities on the part of the mentoring firms are donated by the firms.

The Program
Students are recruited from both public and private high schools, with special efforts made to reach those women and minorities who might otherwise not be aware of the challenges and rewards of careers in the design and construction industries. Students selected for the program are divided into teams of twenty to thirty. They work under the guidance of mentors from firms representing owners, architects, construction managers and engineers (civil and mechanical). Teams are also affiliated with a college or university.

Teams meet at least fifteen times during the course of the school year in an after-school program. Initial meetings involve visits to the offices of the involved firms where the scopes of their activities are discussed and a tour of the facilities conducted. Each team then selects a design project that may require site acquisition, as well as the drawing of plans, the building of models, and other related activities. Students go through the entire design process, with the tasks they perform for their “clients” modeled on the real-life activities of their mentoring firms. Among the skills they learn are drawing to scale and estimating the cost of a job, skills that their mentors utilize in performing their daily professional duties.

At the end of the school year, there is a major culminating event at which all teams present their projects, much as actual design teams would present to their clients.

ACE Scholarships
Scholarship funds are raised through local events to help graduating seniors defray some of the costs of attending college. Each graduating senior is given the opportunity to apply for an ACE Mentor Program scholarship and a committee, with input from team mentors, selects the scholarship winners. Since 1996, scholarships totaling $8.2 million have been awarded.

Moving Towards a Transformational Transportation Bill

At the American Planning Association (APA) Federal Policy Briefing, which began on Sunday, John Robert Smith, CEO and President of Reconnecting America and a leader of the Transportation for America (T4America) network, and Devon Barnhart, legislative counsel for transportation, urban and natural resource issues for Congressman Albio Sires of New Jersey, called for a transformation in federal transportation policy so that federal investment better supports the development of multi-modal urban transportation networks, increased inter-connections in rural areas, and improved walkability and bikeability across communities. With the upcoming reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, the USD 286 billion transportation legislation, there is an opportunity to put U.S. transportation on a new path away from highways and towards sustainable, accessible forms of transportation, including rail, and public transit.

In introducing the panel, Roxanne Blackwell, Federal Affairs Manager, ASLA, said: “all of us in this room know and understand that how a community is designed, including the layout of its roads, buildings and parks, has a huge impact on the life and health of its residents and on the overall economic health and viability of our nation as a whole.”

Devon Barnhart, Legislative Counsel, Congressman Albio Sires: Congressman Sires is looking towards the upcoming authorization of surface transportation legislation as an opportunity to “keep people and goods moving in a sustainable manner.” Sires’ district contains almost all forms of transportation, including airports, ports, mass transit, Amtrak, and ferries. The port alone serves 1/3 of the nearby population, and generates enormous economic activity for the area. However, existing transportation networks, particularly for freight, also create “quality of life” issues, including pollution.

Barnhart said the new Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system, which runs through the district, has helped ameliorate some of these issues. Along the rail line, “there was lots of blight, old industrial sites. Now, there’s lots of tie-in, and commercial growth.” There have also been new condos and brownstones. However, Barnhart noted a big downside: it’s made it impossible for low-income people who need access to public transportation to live along the new light rail line.

Barnhart argued that complete streets are particularly crucial to dense communities like those in Sires’ district. Barnhart added that ”people are still trying to strip complete streets out of bills,” and urged planners and landscape architects to meet with their representatives and highlight the importance of complete streets projects in their districts (even if they are rural).

John Robert Smith, Reconnecting America / T4America: Robert Smith was the long-time mayor of Meridian, Mississippi, where he oversaw the development of an innovative transit-oriented development project. Smith led the development of a multi-modal transportation network and leveraged USD one million in government money to bring in USD 135 million in private sector investment around the new transportation hub. In a city of 350,000, the new transportation hub led to the restoration of the local opera house, a new conference center, and department stores. Meridian also now has the 15th largest urban forest in the U.S. The urban forest includes bike paths and trails.

Smith said the U.S. needs a “transformational transportation bill.” It can no longer just be about “asphalt,” but needs to be about “rail — light, heavy, high-speed, and include housing, planning, metrics, and smart growth.”

Transportation for America (T4America), an organization in which Smith plays a lead role, now has 360 partner organizations, and sends some 50,000 emails to Congress in each campaign. T4America is aiming for a transformational surface transportation bill that can provide incentives for:

• Affordable housing near mass transit
• Robust transit, walking, biking
• Improved mobility options for senior, low-income residents and veterans
• Incorporation of local voices (transportation is often sited within highway departments and the U.S. needs to get away from highway development)
• Green ports and freight.

Given that SAFETEA-LU, which passed in 2005, just expired, the current gas tax which funds all sustainable transportation work is also up for renegotiation. The U.S. Senate and administration want an 18 month extension into 2011. Regardless of how long the extension lasts, the issues need to be dealt with immediately. “Revenue from the gas tax doesn’t cover SAFETEA-LU. New sources of revenue are needed and there are different ways to do this.” New funds are needed for public transit and regional planning around transit-oriented development. Smith said the numbers aren’t critical, but what is needed is a basic change in the way the U.S. sees transportation. A new surface transportation bill must be transformational, and include housing, rail, environmental sustainability, if the U.S. wants to retain its economic competitiveness.

Smith added that “no rail system pays for itself.” In Europe, governments invest heavily in rail systems because of other economic, social, and health benefits they provide. In the U.S., “we spend more on highway roadkill clean-up than passenger rail.”

Smith and Barnhart encouraged people to check out MyCommuteSucks.org, and urged architects, landscape architects, and planners to get politically involved in their communities.

Image credit: Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Flickr

ACE Mentoring Indiana is in pursuit of Light Rail

In September, Indiana’s ACE Mentoring program started the year by introducing mentors and students at selected high schools. The program began with students introducing themselves and talking about their interests. Then the mentors reviewed the program’s goals and student expectations regarding advanced learning, networking, scholarships, and internship opportunities.

To create early interaction between the students and mentors, the first session consisted of designing and constructing name tags. The ACE mentor leader played the role of project owner and students were placed into designer and contractor groups alongside mentors. Once project “name tag” began, the owner began watching the time and reviewing team efforts.

This exercise incorporated project name tags as an introduction to the light rail project the students will undertake for this years mentoring project. The student’s thought process begins to develop as they work in teams and communicating ideas. Their project “name tag”, communicated the design intent on paper for contractors to bid. Some used text and others used drawings to detail size, color, shape, etc. They learned that a clearly defined design parameter helped the contractors accurately bid the work. This bidding process was based on time and effort to complete the name tags.

Look OUT! Did someone say, “Change order?” Of course there were change orders, and the owner made last minute request to keep everyone scrambling. The session concluded by evaluating the project time in addition to product quality to determine which team provided the best product solution. To conclude project “name tag”, the mentors initiated discussion on lessons learned and how the exercise reflects actual construction and design parameters.

Students will begin their next session with an on-site visit focusing on architecture and landscape architecture professions. To learn more or sign-up as a landscape architect mentor, go the acementor.org, select the mentor tab on the top left of the page and select online application. Please note background checks are completed in about five minutes at the City County Building, so do not fill out the on-line background check. You may also contact Daryn Fair at 317-578-4462 or daryn.fair@gmail.com.

SDAT Workshop- Professional Participation Requested

Be a part of the exciting Sustainable Design Assessment Team. We need local professionals to help explore a new model for sustainable neighborhood renewal. From affordable housing and quality jobs to green infrastructure and brownfields, chances are there is a topic you have critical expertise in. This is a great opportunity to give back to our community and help shape public policy in a manner that benefits a neighborhood we've long neglected.

The workshop is a three-day affair, concentrating on gathering community input on Wednesday, interpretting that input into several alternative visions and policies for the future on Thursday, and wrapping everything into a cohesive story for a public presentation on Friday. All work will be evaluated against a series of Policies and Goals previously identified through the Smart Growth Renewal process.

• All food (and good food at that!) and snacks will be provided.
• We will have standard charrette supplies, but you are welcome to bring your own materials.
• You will receive recognition in the report.
• This program can be counted towards your CEU requirement.
  

The charrette track will work in three multidisciplinary teams to explore alternative renewal scenarios and be led by a local professional. Full-workshop (October 28, 29, 30) participation is critical to maintain concept continuity and we ask that you register for as many days as possible. If you only can dedicate one day, Thursday is probably the most critical. Download a complete schedule.

For more information please visit the Sustainable Design Assessment Team website.

Pilot Projects to Test First National Rating System for Sustainable Landscapes

The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ announced a November 5 call for pilot projects that will test the first national rating system for sustainable landscapes. The Initiative is a partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden to create guidelines and performance benchmarks for sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. The announcement took place at the ASLA Annual Meeting in Chicago.

The Initiative will accept applications starting November 5 and closing February 15, 2010, in conjunction with the release of the next report and new rating system, online at www.sustainablesites.org. Any type of designed landscape is eligible to participate, ranging from academic and corporate campuses, parks and recreation areas, transportation corridors to single residences so long as the total size exceeds 2,000 square feet. Fees for participating in the pilot project process may run between $500 to $5,000 depending on project size. Approximately 75 to 150 projects will take part in testing the rating system.

Until now, design and construction rating systems included little recognition for benefits of sustainable landscape and site design. Landscapes can clean water, reduce pollution and restore habitats, all while providing significant economic benefits to land owners and municipalities. The U.S. Green Building Council, a stakeholder in the Initiative, anticipates incorporating the Sustainable Sites guidelines and performance benchmarks into future iterations of its LEED® Green Building Rating System™. More information is available at www.sustainablesites.org.

2009 INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation Registration Information

2009 INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation

Friday, October 23, 2009
University Place Conference Center
850 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. I
t was loaned to you by your children."
Kenyan Proverb

Registration Form

Save $30 if you register before October 10!

7:30- 8:30 Registration and Participant Breakfast

8:00-8:30 Welcome comments

8:30- 10:00 Keynote Speaker

Kaid Benfield, Director- NRDC's Smarth Growth and Transportation Program
"Landscape architects have always been at the forefront of environmental responsibility. But what does this mean in the 21st century? Climate change is not only coming: it's here. And so is rapid population growth. Over half of the homes, shops, schools, and workplaces we will need in 20 years aren't built yet. We had better get it right. And we can."

Kaid Benfield is director of the smart growth program at the Natural
Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in Washington, D.C. He co-founded LEED for Neighborhood Development and the national coalition Smart Growth America. He is author or co-author of several books on sustainable development, including Solving Sprawl, Smart Growth In a Changing World,and Green Community, forthcoming from the American Planning Association.

Kaid is also one of the environmental community's leading online voices through his daily Switchboard blog. He is a graduate of Emory University and Georgetown University Law Center.

10:15-11:30 Concurrent Breakout Session #1

Allyson Pumphrey, City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability
Indianapolis's Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative

Allyson Pumphrey from the City's Office of Sustainability will discuss the background & priorities of the Office of Sustainability. Specifically, she will highlight the Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative- a multi-faceted, multi-department approach to integrating green stormwater infrastructure into the overall solution for the City's water quantity/quality challenges by providing cost savings for the public side and incentives for the private side. She will also provide an update on current projects, recent accomplishments, and ongoing goals of the Office.

Alan Culwell, Attorney- Bingham, McHale LLP
Land Use Law and LEED for Neighborhood Development
Session description still to come! Stay tuned for additional information.

11:45-2:00 Lunch and INASLA Awards Presentation

Luncheon Speaker
Brian Dougherty, ASLA VP of Membership

2:15-3:30 Concurrent Breakout Session #2

Tom Barrett, Green Water Infrastructure, Inc.
Rainwater Harvesting and Condensate Recovery- New Tools for Sustainable Sites
Rainwater Harvesting and Condensate Recovery - New Tools for Sustainable Sites Capturing and using rainwater is enjoying revival as an alternate source of water to enhance the landscape. Up to 90% of the rain, which falls onto a site, can be captured, stored, and used to create a sustainable community.

Additionally, the water condensing from air conditioning units during thesummer months in hot humid areas can produce thousands of gallons of water each day. It is possible to combine rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery to irrigate the landscape. Join Tom Barrett as he explains how use of locally produced, non- potable water helps develop a "natural approach" to efficient use of water and relieves stormwater management issues.

Eric Ummel, Heartland Restoration

Installation Methods and key elements of design/ specifications of native prairies, pond edges and stream bank stabilization
Learn what makes a native prairie seed installation successful directly from the contractor. Eric Ummel, Director of Heartland Restoration Services, Inc. has been installing prairies for 10 years. He can answer your questions from what key elements to specify in your design, to what your client should expect through the first five years after installation. This presentation will focus on proper site preparation, installation techniques, and both short and long-term management needs.

3:45- 5:00 Concurrent Breakout Session #3
Dan Overby, AIA, LEED AP
LEED 2009 and Sustainable Sites Initiative Update
Earlier this year, the U.S. Green Building Council launched the latest version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System*. LEED Version 3 builds on the fundamental structure and familiarity of the existing rating system, but provides a new structure for making sure the rating system incorporates new technology and addresses the most urgent priorities like energy use and CO2 emissions. This session will provide an overview the updates and will also cover the status of the Sustainable Sites Initiative.

Representatives for Smock Fansler Corporation
Sustainability From the Contractor's Point of View
Session description still to come! Stay tuned for additional information.

A TOTAL OF 6 CEU's ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY!

ACE Mentoring Volunteer Opportunities Available!

Whether you are heading downtown for work, or play, light rail is making tracks this year at ACE mentoring. The light rail theme will help you and high school students learn more about a light rail coming your way.* Take the students on local field trips, talk with other professionals and bea leader respresenting the Landscape Architecture professional in the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana.

This is the first year for Landscape Architects in Indiana and we are proud to partner with a NationalMentoring Organization. The ACE program is a unique partnership among industry professionals, including landscape architects, construction managers, engineers and architects, who work together to attract young people to their professions. Please go to www.acementor.org to sign up for this years rail pass. Once on the web site, select the mentor tab on the top left of page and go to the application form. Submit the form and contact Eric Rolle to let so he can add you to the roster for schools. This will take you about 5 minutes. Plan to have fun! DO NOT do the Lexus Nexus Screening Background Check. The screening is done through IPS.

Erica Rolle is the ACE mentor Indiana coordinator contact:
erolle@newindianapolisairport.com
317-496-9125

To learn more about INASLA involvement, please contact:
Daryn Fair, ASLA, RLA
daryn.fair@gmail.com
317-578-4462

Thank you for your participation, we are looking forward to a great year!

The Environmental Habitat Steward Certificate Program

The Environmental Habitat Steward Certificate Program is designed for professionals including landscape architects, planners, architects, engineers, contractors, and developers. Participants will learn fundamental concepts in habitat management and current practices that can be used to preserve or enhance habitats. After this training, participants will be able to apply environmental principles to their traditional professional methods in creative and innovative ways based on the needs of particular project. CE credits are offered.

Please see www.indianawildlife.org/workshops.htm for more information."

This program is offered by the Indiana Wildlife Federation.

16th Annual INASLA Golf Outing

On Wednesday August 19 INASLA, along with the help of several sponsors, pulled off the 16th Annual INASLA Golf Outing. We had a wonderful day out at Prestwick Golf Course and the weather cooperated beautifully. Well at least it did after about an hour.

A special thanks should go out to Julie Zigler with Irrigation Design Source for pulling the entire event together. This was the first year Julie couldn't be with us on the actual day of the golf outing, but thank you to April Westcott (Irrigation Design Source) and Jhennifer Sanchez (Smock Fansler Corporation) for standing in for Julie and doing a wonderful job! Also thank you for keeping us all hydrated and well fed during the day.

Now on to the final standings for the day!
Congratulations to our big winners with an impressive score of 68!

ESL Team
Randy Belden, Eric Simons, Eric Carter & Nick Oskay

You should all give yourself a round of applause for a great game of golf!

Forms + Surfaces Team
Mike Shanley, Gary Carpenter, Mike Terry & David Klauba
(still impressive score of 69!)

Pine Hall Brick Team
Bernie Dahl, Ed Curtin, Bill Brown, Daryn Fair
(score of 70!)

Firestone Specialty Products Team
Bill Johnston, Dan Adler, Time Pancake, Deane Rundell
(score of 70!)


Smock Fansler Corporation Team
Tom Fansler, Dan Syrus, Cory Daly, Andrew Livingston
(score of 71!)


Irrigation Design Source Team
David Gorden, Lisa Dunaway, Katie Clark, Rachel Uthe
(score of 72!)


Landscape Forms Team
Josh Schmackers, Blake Herbst, Greg Wade, Pete Fritz
(score of 78!)


K-Rain Team
David Byers, Randy Royer, MJ Meneley, Ben Jennings
(score of 82, and incredibly well dressed)

Again a huge thank you to all of our sponsors for the day. Without you the event wouldn't have been nearly as much fun or successful!

Landscape Architecture Rising: ENR Article on Landscape Architecture!

Need to stop flooding or reduce stormwater runoff and sewer overflows? Looking to ease demand on treatment plants and avoid the cost of expansion? Seeking cleaner air or water? Interested in recharging an aquifer, rebuilding a shoreline or remediating a brownfield? Trying to stem highway pollution? Need to rebalance a watershed or ecosystem?

If so, a landscape architect may be in your future. The design professional—until recently derided as little more than a glorified gardener—is on a campaign to reclaim a seat at the environmental cleanup table. Some are even bent on sitting at the head, leading the engineers.

The movement is variously called performance-based, ecological, sustainable or green landscape architecture. Some use the terms “landscape infrastructure” or “landscape urbanism”. A rose by any name would smell as sweet, not only to landscape architects, long suffering from low self-esteem, but to localities seeking economical, less invasive and more beautiful ways to deal with the poisons of development. Read the whole story.

HUD, DOT, and EPA Form Partnership to Forward Sustainable Communities

Unprecedented partnership indicates a new activism regarding issues important to the landscape architecture profession. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a new partnership to help American families in all communities—rural, suburban, and urban—gain better access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and a healthy environment. “This is an even stronger indication that the new administration and these agencies are serious about issues that are important to the landscape architecture profession,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville. At a meeting of the Smart Growth Partners hosted by the EPA on June 17, Marcia Mulkey, acting associate administrator of the EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovations, portrayed the partnership as evidence of the administration’s commitment “to active governing around the issues of smart growth and sustainability.” Earlier this year, HUD and DOT announced an unprecedented agreement to implement joint housing and transportation initiatives. With EPA joining the partnership, the three agencies will work together to ensure that these housing and transportation goals are met while simultaneously protecting the environment, promoting equitable development, and helping to address the challenges of climate change. DOT, HUD, and EPA have created a high-level interagency partnership to better coordinate federal transportation, environmental protection, and housing investments and to identify strategies that: provide more transportation choices promote equitable, affordable housing increase economic competitiveness support existing communities leverage federal investment enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods—rural, urban, or suburban Among the HUD/DOT/EPA partnership’s goals: enhance integrated planning and investment provide a vision for sustainable growth redefine housing affordability and make it transparent redevelop underused sites develop livability measures and tools align HUD, DOT, and EPA programs undertake joint research, data collection, and outreach Find a more detailed announcement online at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot8009.htm.

ASLA Annual Meeting: Register Today!

Join us in Chicago, September 18–21, for the ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo. Both the website and the print brochure you will receive in early June contain all the info you need to register for the meeting, plan your travel, and book your hotel room.

The theme of our meeting is Beyond Sustainability: Regenerating Places and People. We’ve been anticipating public sentiment to turn to the need for sustaining the planet for many years. As landscape architects, we must go beyond and aspire to adopt practices that not only sustain but regenerate our ecosystems and restore diminishing biohabitats.

Programming is crafted around our theme to challenge and inspire the more than 5,000 attendees who will gather in Chicago. This meeting offers more than 125 sessions—a record in the history of ASLA—from which we may choose to earn more than 21 Professional Development Hours.

While the economic downturn has delayed our vision of green infrastructure, signs of optimism are emerging daily. The education session schedule is replete with programs on how firms are coping—and even thriving: from marketing strategies to direction on where to find new clients and projects to how to track stimulus funding opportunities. The

ASLA EXPO—the largest product display in the industry—will feature nearly 400 exhibitors, many of whom will be new to our show. We’ll recognize current and future leaders of the profession with honors and awards. And we’ll connect with our colleagues from across the country and around the world at special events throughout the weekend.

Every effort has been made to reduce costs as much as possible.

Register early and save significantly on registration rates. Ticket prices for the LARE workshops, tours, and field sessions are less expensive than last year. Air or train fare to Chicago is affordable from any point in the country. And our hotel room rates are extremely competitive. All of this is tax deductible for the individual or business, to the extent allowed by law.

The first 300 full registrants will receive a free ASLA shirt (up to $34 value), and all full registrants for the meeting will receive a complimentary one-year digital subscription to

Landscape Architecture magazine.

Join us in Chicago as we learn to go beyond sustainability to regenerate places and people.
See you in September!

Angela Dye, FASLA

ASLA President