Blue Hills Community Services recently unveiled their plans to invest $3.1 million in the renovation of the vacant building at 5008 Prospect Avenue. This 14,168 square-foot facility will be designed using LEED (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design) strategies and will be dedicated to green career development, training, small business development and also serve as a central forum for community and neighborhood programs.
The facility is described as a small business and contractor incubator designed to jumpstart investment on the Prospect Corridor. “This development will provide a catalyst for ongoing transformation of the Prospect Corridor and bridge existing residential development and community services in the neighborhoods,” said executive director of Blue Hills Community Services, Joanne Bussinger. Bussinger is also eager for the new development to demonstrate the economical benefits of ecological design. Green amenities include a ground-source heat pump, day light harvesting, solar panels, native landscaping, and water conservation and retention. Energy and water usage will be monitored and then compared to similar standard code-compliant facilities.
Funding and support came through a wide variety of partnerships and public programs. $430,000 was awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the city of Kansas City provided $2.2 million, the Greater Kansas City LISC financed more than $900,000 in property acquisition and predevelopment costs. Additional funding came through Missouri’s Energy Works KC grant, a program made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. l