Special Community Meeting to focus on green issues
Second of four community meetings to be held on May 7th at Richland College

WHAT:
Special Community Meeting introduces City of Dallas and Richland College “Green Teams”

WHO:
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert
Dallas City Councilmembers
City Manager Mary K. Suhm
Dallas City staff
Richland College President Dr. Stephen K. Mittelstet

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 6:30 PM

WHERE:
Richland College Campus – 12800 Abrams RoadFannin Performance Hall (Marked “F” on attached map)
Public parking available in lot “W” (Marked “W” on attached map)

MORE:
Dallas City Hall is taking City government directly to the people -holding special community meetings. The neighborhood City Council meetings will be held quarterly in south, north, east and west Dallas.

The public is invited to attend the second such meeting on May 7 in north Dallas on the campus of Richland College in Fannin Performance Hall.

City staff will present briefings to council that inform and educate the public about the City’s environmental efforts and the Green Dallas initiative (www.GreenDallas.net) which is aimed at environmental responsibility and encourages both public and private sector involvement. Air quality, energy efficiency, alternative fuel fleet, recycling, water conservation, green building standards; green space, trails, parks and the urban forest; and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan will all be discussed.

Some of Dallas’ accomplishments include being the number one municipal purchaser of renewable power in the nation, possessing the largest clean vehicle fleet of any city in Texas, and becoming the only pilot city chosen for the EPA’s Sustainable Skylines Initiative aimed at improving air quality.

Along with their “green” power point briefings, various departments will set up educational display booths showcasing their own green practices. Each department will also have members of their staff who work on green issues in attendance and will be introduced to Council.

In addition, Richland College President Dr. Stephen K. Mittelstet will brief the Council on the college’s own green initiative, GREENRichland, and their associated Web site www.richlandcollege.edu/greenrichland. Dr. Mittelstet will also talk about the construction of a $40 million, 114,000 square-foot facility that will house Richland’s science programs, Science Corner, bookstore, coffee bar and conference rooms.
Features will include special sustainable construction with the ability to harvest sunlight, underground cisterns to collect and irrigate rain water to other parts of the campus, as well as interactive devices in restrooms that users control to save water. Some building and furnishing materials will be made of recycled materials, such as the carpet and furniture, and local vendors will be utilized as often as possible to minimize exhaust fumes and excess fuel consumption from lengthy transports. A hands-on geology pit, green terrace roof, and monitoring stations to showcase energy efficiency will also be integrated, providing “field learning” for students.

College administrators, architects and contractors are seeking Platinum status under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. LEED is a nationally recognized standard for the design and construction of high-performing green buildings.

Full Sheet Richland Release

• Discuss construction schedules
• Provide updates on street closings, detours and other construction activity.

RE*COV*ER, a mural series project sponsored by the Deep Ellum Association and the Deep Ellum Foundation, embraces the new and changing face of Deep Ellum's future. The theme, “RE*COV*ER,” speaks both to the recent history of the Deep Ellum tunnel and how artists have traditionally played a key role in the development of the neighborhood.

Deep Ellum has always prided itself on being an artist community and a collaborative environment. In reclaiming it’s artistic roots and a strong sense of community, there exists a respect for original works of art. Community leaders and neighborhood activists developed the idea for a mural series competition to assist in attracting artists from around the state and engaging them in the Deep Ellum community. (more)

Calling All Artists!

The Second Installment of Re*Cov*Er Mural Competition is open to all Texas artists.