Green Buildings in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future

Below is the link to the full-length green building documentary titled “Green Buildings in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future.” http://www.youtube.com/user/IndyDPW#p/a/u/0/admXx-vLj0w The 54-minute documentary features several green buildings in Indianapolis. Specifically, it highlights the construction and completion of The Nature Conservancy’s new Indiana headquarters building – The Efroymson Conservation Center. The building, completed last March, is currently seeking LEED certification and expects to receive a Platinum rating. It will be the first LEED Platinum building in the state of Indiana. The documentary project was a partnership effort between The Nature Conservancy, WCTY Channel 16 (Indianapolis Public Access channel), and the Office of Sustainability. The project began in early 2009, just prior to the beginning of the construction process, and was recently completed. The documentary was posted to YouTube today and will be officially announced tomorrow as Indianapolis’ first green building documentary. The documentary was written, produced, and directed by Allyson Pumphrey, LEED AP, with help from Tony Elliot, an intern in the Office of Sustainability and IUPUI SPEA grad student. The documentary will begin airing on Channel 16 next week.

Bench Build Session

Join us as we kick-off the Landscape Elements Campaign for National Landscape Architecture Month this weekend!

What: Bench Build Session

When: Saturday, April 2, 2011, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Where: Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Headquarters, 1029 Fletcher Avenue, Indianapolis, IN

The headquarters is located on the southwest corner of Fletcher Avenue and Shelby Street. Pull around to the back and enter the service yeard off of Grove Avenue- the main/ front doors will be locked.

Tools and materials will be set up and ready on Saturday morning- all you need are work clothes and closed-toed shoes.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Is It Easy to Be Active in Your Community?

Is it easy to be active in your community? As we consider the obesity epidemic in the country and its relationship to heart disease and, of course, Type II diabetes, we need to look at the way our communities function. In decades past, people walked and rode bikes as a form of transportation, performed dozens of tasks we now use machines for, and had access to fresh and healthy food on a daily basis. Since the 1950s society has changed in ways that make it more difficult to be physically active.

Did you know that 40 percent of all car trips are made within two miles of home? 1 Many of these trips are made by car because there are physical or perceived barriers to walking or biking. Sidewalk networks are incomplete (if they exist), crossings are dangerous, retail uses and schools and churches are separated from neighborhoods, bike parking isn’t available, car drivers don’t know how to share the road with bikes, and bicyclists may not be comfortable enough to do so safely. All of these factors contribute to fewer opportunities to lead an active lifestyle.

More than 60 percent of American adults are not regularly physically active. In fact, 25 percent of all adults are not active at all.2 Moderate physical activity of just 30 minutes a day most days of the week is the amount needed to reduce health risks3, including the risk for Type II diabetes. Walking or biking to and from the store, school, workplace or place of worship could fulfill this basic requirement.

Across the country groups and individuals are working to raise awareness of these issues and make the active lifestyle-health-land use-transportation connection to achieve active, healthy communities. AARP has a liveable communities initiative that advocates walkability and complete streets. The National Complete Streets Coalition includes partners like the Bikes Belong Coalition. State and local campaigns for complete streets are also underway. Individuals are making a difference participating in Safe Routes to School activities, speaking out in favor of pedestrian connectivity and bike routes at plan commission and local legislative hearings, and testifying before their state legislatures. As a DESA member, you are likely already an active person and could benefit from better connections in your community. You can also be an advocate to encourage others to be healthy and promote active lifestyles in your communities. Learn more about active communities and get involved in your where you live to improve the ability to bike and walk locally.

Learn more about active communities ~
AARP Liveable Communities: http://www.aarp.org/research/ppi/liv-com/

American Planning Association: http://www.planning.org/policy/guides/adopted/surfacetransportation.htm

Bikes Belong Coalition
http://www.bikesbelong.org/

National Center for Biking and Walking
http://www.bikewalk.org/

National Center for Safe Routes to School
www.saferoutesinfo.org

National Complete Streets Coalition
http://www.completestreets.org/

Author Rose Scovel, AICP is a Senior Planner and Associate at LSL Planning, Inc. in Indianapolis, IN. She is currently president of the Indiana chapter of the American Planning Association and an avid runner and cyclist. She is also a Type II diabetic.

1 League of American Bicyclists: http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/why/environment.php
The State of Indiana has a goal that all Hoosiers will live within 15 minutes of a trail.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/intro.htm
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html

Congratulations David! 2010 Claire Bennett Legacy Award Winner

In 2003, INASLA unveiled the initial “Claire Bennett Legacy Award” to recognize individual knowledge achievement, and service to the profession and the Indiana Chapter. The award honors long-time Indiana Chapter Member Claire Bennett, FASLA. Claire served as the president of the Indiana Chapter in 1978 and as the National President of ASLA in 1990-91. The legacy of service she has provided for the Indiana Chapter, as well as the leadership to ASLA on a national level inspired the creation of this award named in her honor to recognize those members who embody those same ideals.

INASLA members who have maintained full membership in the Society for the last ten years may be nominated for the Claire Bennett Legacy Award. The award recipient(s) are selected in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession by excellence in administrative work in public agencies, in direct service to the Society and/or profession, in executed works of Landscape Architecture, or in professional school instruction or in professional writing. The INASLA Executive Committee selected the recipient of this award.

This year, we are pleased to honor David Gorden, ASLA with the 2010 INASLA Claire Bennett Legacy Award.

David Gorden graduated with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Illinois in 1981. Upon graduating he received the Department of Landscape Architecture's Edward L. Ryerson Fellowship through which he spent six months in New Zealand studying the work of landscape architects in that country's National Parks. Since then his extensive travels have taken him to over 65 countries around the world.

He joined Mark M. Holeman, Inc. in 1989 and now manages the firm's design staff while also overseeing a wide variety of projects. He is a frequent speaker on landscape matters and has taught classes at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and White River Gardens.

David is a Licensed Landscape Architect in the States of Indiana and Illinois and has been recognized with a variety of awards and honors from a variety of organizations :

Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects:
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Monumental Awards:
St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild Decorators’ Show House:
International Society of Arboriculture and Indiana Arborists Association

David has continued to be a leader in his profession, serving the chaptewr in a variety of positions, including

President – 1999
Chair – Annual Meeting – 2005
Chair – Chapter 30th Anniversary Celebration – 2003
Chapter Representative - ASLA Licensure Summit– 2006, 2007 and 2009

As part of his commitment to the chapter and the profession, David has also served as:
Chair – Annual Indiana Green Expo Luncheon and Speaker – 1997-2010
Representative - Indiana Invasive Plant Species Working Group (IPSAWG) – 2001- 2009 and Indiana Invasive Plant Advisory Committee – 2010-present.
Co-Chair of Indiana School for the Blind Monon Trailhead Project. Project awarded 2002 Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Monumental Affair Achievement Award.
Chair of School Tree Planting Program.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Monumental Awards Steering Committee/Landscape Architecture Jury Chair – 2002-present

His service beyond INASLA is also extensive. His many affiliations and positions in other allied organizations have included service on the:
Indianapolis Art Center Building Committee
Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society Executive Committee
Indiana Urban Forest Council Board of Directors
St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild Decorators’ Show House Design Committee
Meridian Kessler Neighborhood Association (Indianapolis) Land Use Committee
Indianapolis Museum of Art Horticultural Society Vice-President
Binford Redevelopment and Growth (BRAG) Advisory Council

David has was also appointed by Governor Joseph E. Kernan to serve from 2004-2008 on the Indiana Board of Registration for Architects and Landscape Architects, serving as Chair of this Board from 2005-06.

David’s service to the profession – as well as his outstanding projects - have made him a leader in the field of Landscape Architecture in the State of Indiana.

The Indiana Chapter of ASLA is proud to honor David Gorden with the 2010 Claire Bennett Legacy Award for his Service to the Profession.

INASLA NLAM 2010 Event: Clark Elementary School

In collaboration with school staff, students, and parents of Clark Elementary, Cory Daly and Dan Syrus developed a conceptual site master plan for an 11 acre site as part of the school’s annual Earth Day celebration. Cory and Dan participated in two design charrettes as part of the process to generate design ideas from the students and staff so the outdoor classroom could be a vision of the entire school and not just the landscape architects.

The school grounds include butterfly gardens, kitchen gardens, sun gardens, shade gardens, and native prairie gardens. Opportunities of learning wait around every corner for students as they run and play in the outdoor gardens. Students learn through interaction with on-site stormwater management techniques, interpretive signage, an interactive waterfall, hummingbird feeders, and bat boxes.

An interactive trail meanders through the prairie gardens and provides the opportunity for students to learn about 50 different types of Indiana native trees. Interpretive signage will be stationed at every tree and every type of garden throughout to enhance the student’s learning experience. A sundial plaza will also serve to instill knowledge of our earth’s solar system and provide social interaction for all who participate.

Overall, the design of the site incorporates all types of users, all types of plants, and all types of learning opportunities that will be shared and enjoyed through multiple generations today and for years to come.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. cordially invites you to attend the 33rd annual A Monumental Affair Dinner & Awards Ceremony.

Indiana Roof Ballroom

140 West Washington Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204-3485

Thursday November 11, 2010

6PM Cash Bar

7PM Program & Dinner

RSVP by Friday November 5, 2010

$80 per person

$600 per table of 8

To RSVP, or for more information visit Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc on the web.

Payment is required in advance. Seating assignment will be given at check-in.

The Monumental Award, representing the most significant visual and physical enhancement in Marion County, is selected by an impartial jury of community and professional leaders. This is the highest award of distinction and is chosen from the honor award winners in each category.

Rethink. Renew. Revitalize: Indiana ASLA

2010 INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation

Rethink. Renew. Revitalize.
I N D I A N A A S L A

Historic Fountain Square Theatre
Friday, October 8, 2010. 8:00 am. – 5:00 pm.

Schedule
7:30-8:30 Registration and Participant Breakfast
8:00-8:30 Welcome comments
8:30-9:30 General Session: Panel Discussion (1 CEU)
The Role of Design in Neighborhood Revitalization


Morning Sessions
9:45-10:45 Concurrent Breakout Session #1 (1 CEU)
Session 1A: Complete Streets, Indiana:

Irene Wegner, AARP Indiana

Complete streets are those designed and operated to enable safe access for all users – pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities – in moving along and across roadways; they are appropriate in all communities, regardless of size or setting. The proposed session will:·highlight the benefits of complete streets, including links to health, safety, the environment, transportation network capacity, community development, and economics;· provide an overview of design elements, planning and engineering guidance, and implementation resources;· discuss the development and adoption of local, regional (MPO), and state policies for complete streets; and · engage attendees in becoming advocates for complete streets in their communities.

Speaker Biography: Irene Wegner, Associate State Director, Community Outreach Irene has worked with AARP for fourteen years, including time at the Midwest Regional Office. Before joining AARP, she worked with volunteers and community organizations by monitoring and funding over 28 agencies in the northern Chicago suburbs. She was a Director of Religious Education and taught school in various locations. Irene also helped to found WilPower, Inc., a housing and psychosocial center for persons with mental illness on Chicago’s north shore. She is an avid bicyclist and a member of Health by Design, the MPO Multi-Modal Task Force in Indianapolis, the Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative Senior Group, Crooked Creek Economic Development Corp Board member, and Bicycle Indiana. Irene holds a BS degree from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University. For the past three years her work concentration has been in the area of livable communities, primarily with mobility issues.

Session 1B: Environmental Habitat Stewardship:

Lisa Dunaway, ASLA, LEED AP, Sensible Ecology, LLC.

This session will cover some basic ecological principles that will assist landscape architects in making better design decisions for long-term ecological and economic sustainability. Attendees will learn how to help protect biodiversity from the backyard scale to the regional scale. This session is a brief version of the Environmental Habitat Steward Certificate Program developed by Lisa in partnership with the Indiana Wildlife Federation.

Speaker Biography: Lisa Dunaway specializes in the creation and design of ecological assessments and recommendations for the preservation of ecological biodiversity and economic sustainability. She has experience with municipal comprehensive and urban design plans, parks and recreation master planning, and other projects relating to sustainability such as native landscape plantings and green infrastructure design. She also has completed numerous projects involving site sustainability planning, regional ecological planning, economic revitalization, commercial site design, downtown streetscapes, and recreation and trail planning. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Ball State University and is a LEED Accredited Professional. She is currently completing a Master of Ecological Planning degree at the University of Vermont. She is also an Instructor of Urban Planning at Ball State University and the Owner of Sensible Ecology, LLC.

10:45-11:00 Vendor Expo Session

11:00-12:00 Concurrent Breakout Session #2 (1 CEU)
Session 2A: Integrating Green Infrastructure for CSO Abatement & Enhanced Public Spaces
Ms. Jean Wodarek, PE, LEED AP, Williams Creek Consulting, Inc.
Emily Kusz, RLA, LEED AP, Williams Creek Consulting, Inc.

The presentation will provide an overview of an in-depth technical and financial analysis of the potential outcomes of implementing Green Infrastructure Best Management Practices (GI BMPs) on a large scale throughout Indianapolis, Indiana. Results indicate up to 30% reduction in peak flows where GI BMPs are implemented and approximately 1.6 billion gallons per year of stormwater to be removed from the CSO system. The most cost effective GI BMPs appear to be on-lot residential rain gardens, dual use passive recreation and distributed storage bioretention systems along streets and alleys. Current pilot projects to be monitored to show the effectiveness of GI BMPs relative to the Master Plan are currently designed and ready to be built. The first two pilot projects have been public private partnerships working with the local community and business owners for increased drainage in areas with limited infrastructure while providing enhanced landscape features and public plazas. The Ohio Street Green Infrastructure/Drainage Improvement Project is a partnership effort to improve the 600-700 block of East Ohio Street. The project seeks to improve drainage, handicap accessibility, and deteriorating urban infrastructure to capitalize on recent private investment in the area as a means to continue strengthening the Cole-Noble neighborhood. The project features 1,200 square feet of pervious concrete sidewalk, 500 linear feet of pervious concrete curb and gutter and an approximately 750 square feet of rain garden. These Green Infrastructure retrofits will manage runoff from approximately 16,000 square feet of impervious surface and will infiltrate and attenuate 80% to 90% of the volume and rate, respectively, in a typical year. The Alabama Street pilot project will extend and enhance an existing boulevard median into a 2,500 square foot pedestrian plaza made of porous concrete, pavers, and rain gardens. Retrofits to the road alongside the median will include the integration of four bumpout rain gardens, each approximately 240 square feet. The pedestrian plaza and rain gardens will manage approximately 3 acres of runoff, or about 1 acre of impervious surface. It will infiltrate and attenuate 80% to 90% of the runoff volume and rate, respectively, in a typical year. More specifically, the project will address how landscape architects can address issues such as stormwater management in both traditional landscape improvement projects and public spaces such as plazas.

Speaker Biography :Ms. Jean Wodarek, PE, LEED AP is currently a Senior Project Manager at Williams Creek Consulting in Indianapolis. She has been involved with the planning and design of a wide range of Civil Engineering projects for over 21 years. Her background includes surveying, construction inspection, site evaluation and master planning, storm water management, and all aspects of public and private utility and infrastructure design, sustainable sites and Green Infrastructure master planning and design, project management, and quality assurance review. Her most recent projects include the City of Indianapolis Green Infrastructure Master Implementation Plan, the City of Lafayette Green Infrastructure Feasibility and Prioritization Study, the City of Columbus Ohio Reservoir Pollution Reduction Project, the LaPorte Joint Zoning Ordinance, and numerous private development projects incorporating green infrastructure. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and is a registered Professional Engineer in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

Ms. Emily Kusz, RLA, LEED AP has gained extensive experience in landscape design, while participating in over five years of commercial and residential civil engineering layout and plan development. Her diverse work experience ranging from direct client interaction, to land plan and landscape design, to plan development conducting her own drainage and grading calculations in AutoCAD have provided her with a diverse background and unique abilities directly related to low impact site design. With her unique professional experience combined with her education, Ms. Kusz has developed a deep understanding and commitment to sustainable site development. Ms. Kusz holds a bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Ball State University with a minor in Natural Resources and Environmental Management.

Session 2B: Branding & Positioning Secrets for a Down Economy:

Josh Miles, Miles Design

Uncover the secrets to growing your business by narrowing your focus. We'll discuss the power of niche positioning using the "wedge" model, and how to market within that niche to appeal to the broadest number of people. We'll look at a framework to help you envision your expert firm, building upon your marketing assets, discovering which branding and marketing assets you need to develop next (branding, positioning, interactive, social media, print, and networking), and explore a roadmap for which marketing tactics to pursue first. Finally, we'll delve into the pivotal role that thought leadership plays in demonstrating your unique positioning, especially in a downturn. This will be a very interactive session - plan to leave with handouts and roadmaps for uniquely positioning your firm!

Speaker Biography: Josh Miles is principal of Miles Design, an award-winning Indianapolis branding and design firm. Miles Design specializes in positioning, branding and interactive design for premium brands and professional services firms. Their client list includes Ratio Architects, Bose McKinney & Evans, Chalet, ExactTarget, AIT Laboratories, and KITE.

As a substitute to the morning’s indoor sessions, participants may choose:

9:45-11:45 Walking Tour # 1 (2 CEU)
Join Leaders from Southeast Neighborhood Development Corp. on a walking tour of the Fountain Square Neighborhood.

12:00-12:30 Vendor Expo Session

12:30-2:30 Lunch and INASLA Awards Presentation
Luncheon Speaker (1 CEU): Gary Scott, ASLA, Immediate Past President
Awards Presentation (.5 CEU)

Afternoon Sessions

2:30-3:00 Vendor Expo Session

3:00-4:00 Concurrent Breakout Session #3 (1 CEU)

Session 3A: St. Clair Place: Streetscape and Neighborhood Revitalization:

Jonathan Mooney, ASLA, RLA, LEED AP, R.W. Armstrong

The presentation will be about St. Clair, but will center around RW Armstrong’s interaction with the City and the office of sustainability. Jonathan is inviting a rep from the city, and his hope is to talk about the project itself, which has to do with redeveloping the neighborhood, introducing a housing TIF finance district to pay for the improvements and the partnership of various people throughout the project.

Speaker Biography: Jonathan’s responsibilities include business development, project management, design, graphics, and staff management. Jonathan’s background has provided him a well rounded approach to design and project management. With 15 years of experience, he has worked on many types of projects including site and landscape design, transportation, urban design, historic preservation, environmental planning, and grant writing projects. Jonathan is recognized for his plant knowledge, public facilitation, construction documents, and his graphic design abilities and is able to work with clients through all phases of a project. As Urban Design Manager, Jonathan oversees the development of community aesthetic plans, identity strategies, streetscape design, marketing communication efforts, environmental design, preservation of natural landscapes, and alternative transportation planning.

Session 3B: Setting Clear Expectations: CJ McClanahan, reachmore

Before you can improve the performance of your team, it is absolutely critical that they know exactly what they need to do to get a raise, earn a promotion, and make you happy. In this session, you’ll learn simple strategies for setting expectations.

Speaker Biography: CJ McClanahan is the founder and president of reachmore, a leadership training and consulting firm. He writes a column on leadership for the Indianapolis Business Journal. Over the past five years, he has spoken to thousands of professionals throughout central Indiana and has helped more than 150 business owners and corporate management teams achieve record sales and profits. After beginning his career with Arthur Andersen, where he helped organizations use technology to improve their business processes, Mr. McClanahan shifted his focus toward the small business. He served as the director of finance and operations for a mid-sized manufacturing organization and as a director of sales and business development for a software company with global sales of more than $20 million. He began his consulting career as a licensed business coach with Action Coach and was soon recognized as one of the top coaches in the United States. Mr. McClanahan was named to the 2006 class of the Indianapolis Business Journal “40 under Forty” list.

As a substitute to the afternoon’s indoor sessions, participants may choose:

2:30-4:30 Walking Tour # 2 (2 CEU)
Join Leaders of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and tour their facilities.

4:00-6:00 Social Hour: Duckpin Bowling