[Chesneypark] pictures taken while applying base coat

Hope these come through OK

Roy O'

NUSA Conference - Friday

Traffic Safety

One of the ways the founder of "Keep Kids Safe, Drive 25," suggested in areas where there is a school zone on a highway (or other fast paced major through fare) to use a punctuated decrease in speed zones. Another wards, goes from 50 to 40 to 30 as you approach the 20 mph school zone.

In Kansas we have a 30 mph speed zone, but there has been studies between states with 25 (like Nebraska) and states with 30, and what they have found is that five miles of speed makes a difference in pedestrian fatalities. In fact there are 3 times the number of deaths in 30 mph zones as opposed to 25.

A speed study with the Omaha PD in the speakers neighborhood the average speed in a 25 mph zone was 31, with the slowest person only going 17.

In Oceanside, CA, they went to the cities worst neighborhood (for speeding) and placed yard signs in peoples yards. The friendly reminders reduced the average speed by 16%. That average speed before the study was 38 in a 25.

In Oro Valley, AZ, where they have curbside trash pickup (as opposed to alley) placed stickers on the side of the trash cans. So that, every time, the cans were set out by the curb, there was a friendly reminder for drivers to check their speed.

Something else, that has been learned is that often times public works makes safety changes, by only looking at it from a public works example. In one example, they changed streets around a neighborhood to one way. The problem occurred, when there was a fire and the fire truck couldn't get in, because a tunnel leader into the neighborhood was to low. So they had to take 3 extra minutes, to drive around to another entrance. So when these safety changes are made, everyone from the community, to the police and fire departments need to be involved and working with public works, so the issue is seen from all viewpoints.

Greener is Cheaper and More profitable

Creating Land use plans and sticking to them.

This should include mixed use buildings (commercial on lower with residential upstairs. Or in residential neighborhoods, shopping (Grocery, coffee shops, bakery, etc) should be within walking distance (about 2 blocks).

Multi-Modal transportation should be used to. Multi-Modal would allow all forms of transportation, no mater if it's pedestrian, bicycle, mass transit (rail, bus, etc) or car. Commercial buildings should be close to the street. If a wide open parking lot separates the street from the building, it makes that business very pedestrian unfriendly and very auto friendly.

Smart growth in these ways, is better for the community, because it costs less. It's better for developers because they can charge more. And most importantly, better overall because transportation costs less.

Something else, our cities need to stop growing out and taking over (building up on) farmland (stop swallowing up farmland). Instead we need to build in closer together (again lowering transportation and other costs) and save our farmland (so we can grow our foods).

In addition, green roofs are a great use of these high-density buildings to. Especially, if the tenants are using them to raise their own produce.

One building that was pointed out to me during the neighborhood pride tours (revitalization of downtown) was an abandoned Good Year Tire shop. It is being converted into a farmers market and when done will include their own garden on the roof to grow some of the produce that they will sell. The building will be designed so that the farmers market in be both inside and outside.

Another building was the old steam plant, that has been renovated into a little mall. To preserve the historic nature of the building, all of the original equipment was left in place. Old boilers were cleaned of asbestos, and serve as dinning rooms for the several restaurants and micro-brewer that call the converted plant home.

- Kevin Surbaugh

NUSA Conference - Thursday

The morning session I attended was planning for "Energy Security and Climate Change." The session, didn't leave me with much. All I could think was, how do I take this back to my neighborhood and community. I will have to check out the website, they gave and perhaps, I can learn a little something. That website was http://www.greenspokane.org.
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The afternoon session was much better. There was three speakers, but most of it was questions and answers. With two of the speakers, both of whom spoke for the Electric & water company here in Spokane (Avista). They gave an 800 phone number and said they would be happy to answer any of our questions. I will share that with our neighborhood leaders after I get back to Topeka.

The session was titled, Implementing innovative Energy Efficiency Initiatives, and the website they gave for more information was, everylittlebit.com.

What keeps the utility company from raising rates, because they are losing revenue, because of the reduction of energy use (that they are encouraging their customers to do)?

Decoupling. Something that even President Obama has encouraged. Which, separates the delivery from the energy use, which forces the energy companies to find lower costs of energy production. If a company doesn't do this voluntarily, they will probably be forced to by the government.
- Tom Lienhard
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Devices that can help reduce energy usage?
1. Wrapping your water heater in an insulating blanket.
2. Surge protectors - is another great way to reduce energy.

A lot of digital equipment (stereos, TV's, computers, etc) or anything with a display, light or some form of memory will use energy all the time while plugged in. If those devices were plugged into surge protectors, you can turn the strip off and reduce your energy bill.
- Camille Martin
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What about using battery powered devices instead of electrical?

Use of batteries would be way more expensive. Battery power would translate into about $5 per kilowatt hour (KWH), whereas electrical devices would only be (depending on your local area) about 7 cents/kWh.
- Tom Lienhard
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Avista also will conduct energy audits at the customers request for about $100.

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As a utility, when you go in to do your energy audits, do you consider landscaping? (shade trees help with cooling)

Avista, has a "stake a claim" program. Where Avista gives you a stake and you place it where you want a tree. It is then surveyed for underground and overhead utilities. If it doesn't interfere with anything, Avista will pay for the planting of the tree.
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What about using the tankless water heaters?

A tankless, will cost about $700 more then a traditional water heater, and will save you about $80/year. Not very much, but when you consider a tankless lasts 2.5 times longer then a traditional water heater, and is paid for in the traditional heaters life span, then it is a huge savings in the long run.
Traditional water heater should be replaced every 10-years.
Tankless water heaters replacents are every 25-years.
- Tom Lienhard
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Tomorrow I will be attending Neighborhood Traffic Saftey and Greener is Cheaper and More Profitable. Should be two interesting classes (I hope). Saturday, we will be traveling home, with our flight going through the Vegas Airport.
- Kevin Surbaugh

The Mural Wall Continues to get Press

Topeka Capital Journal (May 15, 2009)

With her high school career drawing to a close, 18-year-old Brittany Miller took a long look Thursday at the Great Mural Wall of Topeka and said she was thankful she had a hand in working on it the past few weeks.

"It's rewarding," said Miller, a Topeka High School senior who graduates Saturday. "It's amazing. I've never done anything like this before. I'm just really proud to be a part of it."

Miller was one of about 20 Topeka High students in an advanced painting and drawing class to work on the Great Mural Wall of Topeka, located in the 1900 block of S.W. Western.

Painting on the mural began in 2006 on the sides of a large, white building from 1931 that once housed a 10 million-gallon water reservoir for the city.

The colorful mural now stretches across the entire length of an approximate 11-foot tall, 300-foot long wall facing S.W. Western.

Scenes depict Topeka's history and — in the case of the newest panel — a look into the future.

Space for the mural was donated by the city of Topeka Water Division.
continued....

WIBW-TV (May 7, 2009)

The process of adding a giant design created by Topeka High School students to the Great Mural Wall got underway Thursday night.

The fourth mural design was placed at the Water Department at 19th and Western streets.

Topeka High students have been involved in the entire artistic process.

The event is the start of an historical movement for the capital city, specifically the Chesney Park Neighborhood Improvement Association.

Students will be out painting the mural this weekend.
Watch the video online....

KTKA-TV (May 5, 2009)

Chesney Park Action Team reveals the next panel for the Great Mural Wall

Story by Jessica Drew (Contact)

4:50 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Chesney Park action team met today, and went over the drawing for the next panel. This panel was created by art students from Topeka High. The idea came from looking at the past and learning starting with Brown vs. Board of education. Painting starts Saturday morning at 10 weather permitting.

2009 Mural Wall begins

Pictures of the Topeka High Arts class starting the 2009 phase of the mural wall.

NUSA Conference

I will be attending the annual NUSA (Neighborhoods USA) conference.

I will update you all, as much as I can from the hotel's business center, on each meeting I attend.

The meetings I am scheduled for are:

Planning for Energy Security & Climate Change

Implementing Innovative Energy Efficiency Initiatives

Neighborhood Traffic Safety: It's No Accident

Greener Is Cheaper & More Profitable

a Tour of the Davenport Arts District

Mural Dedication - 2008

I am finally getting the mural dedication pictures uploaded. Sorry, it took so long. The newest 2 panels were dedicated in early September. Now, we are looking to next year, when we will start phase 3. Hope you enjoy the photos that Roy O'Neil took.


Speakers at the dedication speak from a portable stage, set up by the city.

The artist, David Lowenstein being interviewed by the local media.

A crowd of 50-60 people showed up for the dedication.

- Kevin Surbaugh

2 Newest Panels to be Dedicated

I have been lax about getting this updated this year. So busy at work and all. However, I must get this posted, as it so critically important.

1. We are now on Facebook, join us there to help keep on up with the updates.

2. We will be dedicating the next two 60-foot mural panels on Sunday Sept 28, 2008 @ 1 pm. Everyone is invited.
20th and Western
Gather in the back ExpoCenter parking lot on Western.

A dedication ceremony for the 2008 installation at the Great Mural Wall of Topeka will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of S.W. 20th and Western streets. Two 60-foot murals, titled "Central Park" and "Free Fair," will be installed.

Speakers will include Shawnee County Commissioners Vic Miller and Sylvia Ortiz and lead mural artist David Loewenstein. The event is coordinated by the Chensey Park Neighborhood Improvement Association.
- Topeka Capital Journal