Because spirit and intention matter. It matters to Chaden and I. It matters to the Willowsong Midwifery team providing theCare. It matters to the artisans of Silent Rivers. It matters to the community we serve. And this spirit, this intention, has the ability to set the path for a more connected, sustainable, safer future for our planet. Or NOT. […]
Thinking Spring 2012 as the Green & Main Landscaping is Installed
February 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment
If you’ve ever planted a garden, or even one pumpkin seed, you know the excitement of seeing those first sprouts emerge. So imagine thousands of plants and flowers surfacing, expertly orchestrated to grow and bloom spring through fall to bring function and beauty to the Green & Main site. The Green & Main Pilot Project landscaping was installed this past October, so you can count on a burst of fresh greenery and flowers to greet spring.
Recent Construction: Site Development and Seasonal Preparation
November 21, 2011 by 1 Comment
October is typically a month of extremes, when temperatures and temperaments often span the whole spectrum. Anticipation of the first freeze, the first measurable snowfall and bitter northern rains can easily dampen schedules and moods. We were blessed, however, with incredible weather, and my gratitude extends to the many people who stretched themselves to meet the pilot project deadlines.
Soil Management and Erosion Control at Green & Main
November 18, 2011 by 1 Comment
Teeming with life-giving organisms that transform inorganic minerals in the ground into food for flora, soil is a vibrant and diverse ecosystem. It is a fundamental building block of life. When embarking on any building or renovation project, managing soils and the handling of erosion control may be one of the first thoughts to occur. […]
Winterizing Green & Main: A Survey of What’s Been Happening on Site
October 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The construction crew at the Green & Main site enjoyed an extended summer, with temperatures in early October ranging into the 80’s with clear skies. This was an unexpected and much appreciated delay to our typical Iowa autumn. Soon it will be time to batten down the hatches and get ready for sub-zero temperatures when the crew will focus on the interior of the building.
Here’s what they’ve been up to…
Stormwater Management: Green & Main Designs to Lead the Way
September 23, 2011 by 1 Comment
One of the most prevalent topics during the construction of the Green & Main Pilot Project has been our plans for stormwater management. What will be most effective in dealing with rain water and snowmelt (sometimes simultaneously) at the site? How will we design the vegetative roof, the landscaping and paving materials in order to manage the amount of stormwater run-off?
Construction Discoveries and Challenges during June
July 12, 2011 by 1 Comment
It just could not stop raining in June. We’re not talking the standard ½-inch flush that cleans city streets while households sleep, leaving the air smelling fresh in the morning. No, we’re boasting serious downpours that dump upwards of five inches of rain in twenty-four hour cycles and repeatedly interrupt our planned work days, while also putting officials and drivers on the alert for early morning street closings.
Pilot Project Becomes First in Iowa to Participate
November 23, 2010 by 1 Comment
The Green & Main Pilot Project joins more than 150 projects from 34 states as well as from Canada, Iceland, and Spain as part of an international pilot project program to evaluate the new Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) rating system. SITES is testing the nation’s first rating system for green landscape design, construction, and maintenance. Green & Main will be the first SITES project in the state of Iowa.
