Environment : Development News

Hydroponic gardening is on the rise. Between growing demand and good timing career-wise, it seemed opening Owlyn Solutions for Growers was an obvious choice for Tonie and Robert Brovont.
 
“My husband and I have been indoor gardeners for a long time,” says Tonie Brovont. “We first became interested in hydroponics about 30 years ago when it was just being developed.”
 
The Brovonts opened Owlyn Solutions for Growers at 2398 Jolly Road in Okemos in September. Already, they’ve doubled their space to 3,000 square feet by expanding into the suite next door. The extra space allows them to grow their own hydroponic vegetables right inside the store.
 
“We're very passionate about local food and helping people eat more healthfully,” says Brovont. “We’re into the whole buy local and raise your own food movement.”
 
Owlyn currently employs five workers and offers growing supplies for both indoor and outdoor gardeners, as well as organic gardening supplies.
 
“One of the misconceptions about indoor gardening is that it’s expensive,” says Brovont, “but it isn’t. You can grow all sorts of vegetables under florescent lights and LED lights now.”

One of Grand Ledge’s newest downtown businesses is on a mission to make your home life greener. Inspired Green moved to their current location at 223 Bridge Street in September, and has already begun to grow out of the 2,000 square foot space.

As a business that began in 2008 with four employees and has currently grown to 100 including field workers, rapid expansion has been the story for owner Denny Duchene from the beginning. Duchene explains the growth of his energy optimization and performance contracting company as simple demand.

“The reality is that more than 85% of homes in the US today have chronic performance issues because of a poorly installed key system,” he says. Inspired Green’s job is to both identify the issues, and then, as a licensed builder, fix them.

“Our homes are a lot like our bodies,” says Duchene. “The assessment works a lot like an MRI for your body. We clearly figure out what is causing the negative symptoms that cause problems for the people living in a sick house.”

The ability to address the problem, however, is what makes the Grand Ledge company stand out from the pack.

“Imagine going to a doctor,” Duchene says, “finding out that you have an illness, and having them tell you that they don't have the ability to help you.”

This coming September, will Inspired Green will expand business again, utilizing the second floor of the same building to add another 1,400 square feet.

Source: Denny Duchene, Inspired Green

Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor

What do you get when you combine modern building science with passive solar techniques and universal design? You get an energy-conscious and accessible home like the one at 5219 Hughes Road in Lansing.

In an effort to combine sustainability, usability and modern design, the Ingham County Land Bank and the City of Lansing funded the 1232 square foot Hughes Road house project which was completed by Vesta Building Industries.

Vesta used Structural Insulated Panels for the outside shell, a high-efficiency condensing boiler for heating the radiant floor and domestic hot water.

Vesta also used materials that are healthy for the occupants of the home and friendly to the environment. The house will earn certification in the LEED for Homes program of the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We put a lot of time into this project to ensure we met the three principles to the best of our ability. This is not only an environmentally friendly home, it’s also the kind of home you can grow old in,” says Gene Townsend, the LEED AP for Vesta Building Industries.

The passive solar design uses south-facing glass with wide overhangs allowing the polished concrete floor to soak up the sun in the winter but be shaded from the intense summer sun. The home has also been designed to be wheelchair accessible.

The house is up for sale, and if you want to see it, the Ingham County Land Bank will be hosting its annual Community Holiday Party at the home on On Dec. 7, from 4 -7 p.m.

Source: Tony Beyers, Vesta Building Industries

Writer: Suban Nur Cooley

Lansing Community College, the Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) and the Ingham County Land Bank have partnered to form Restoration Works!, a neighborhood stabilization and home restoration project.

The project is centered on the restoration of two historic homes in Lansing’s Eastside, at 1501 and 1512 E. Kalamazoo Street. The two foreclosed homes are owned by the Land Bank and were scheduled for demolition before the partnership project came to fruition.

Restoration Works! is an effort to preserve the history of the homes, both longstanding in the neighborhood.

The restoration work will be done by LCC Environment, Design and Building Technologies Department (EDBT) students as part of LCC’s Technical Careers Division. Members of ANC’s Housing Caucus and LCC students will be giving tours of these houses on Nov. 4, after a 10:30 a.m. press conference.

“This is a tremendous way for students to learn and demonstrate their building trades skills while contributing to the viability of their community,” says George Berghorn, who chairs the EDBT program at LCC. “We're hopeful this is just the first of a series of Restoration Works! projects in which we can partner and participate.”

Frequent follow-up tours will also be given throughout the restoration process.

Source: Joan Nelson, Allen Neighborhood Center

Writer: Suban Nur Cooley

On Oct. 14, the City of Mason held an open house and dedication for their new City Hall and Police Department. The new 26,000 square foot facility is a LEED-certified green building with movable walls, raised flooring, under-floor heating, cooling, electrical and data and optimal energy efficiencies.

Offering a healthy work environment, the new building also sports reduced operating and maintenance costs, long-term flexibility and future expansion capabilities. 

“Mason’s new City Hall and Police Department is one of the most energy efficient buildings in the City, using the gold standard for efficiency and user comfort,” says Martin Colburn, Mason's city administrator. “With 69 energy efficient windows and four skylights, the sun helps light and heat the space, saving on electricity and energy use.”

Spacewerks, a Granger Group company, was the designer/builder for this project and worked closely with the City of Mason staff and City Council to ensure that all needs and requirements for the new building were met.

Source: Ingrid Nova, City of Mason

Writer: Suban Nur Cooley

Specialists in efficiency design and construction, Vesta Building Industries (VBI Homes) in Old Town have completed yet another energy efficient project. It took VBI 100 days to complete the project: a home located on the west bank of the Grand River in Dimondale.

“The green building mantra promotes local sourcing of building materials. This will always have a positive effect on local job stability,” says Scott Schmidt with Vesta Building Industries. “The other is through energy efficiency, which reduces the operating expenses of green buildings. Whether you operate a business or a residential structure, it is useful to have consistent monthly expenses.  The more energy a building uses, the more expenses will fluctuate with the energy markets.”   

Vesta Building Industries emphasizes that cost reduction isn’t the only benefit to energy efficiency. “An airtight building provides better interior control over temperature, humidity and pollution. This control allows us to provide a healthier more comfortable environment that can increase productivity, and an overall improvement in quality of life,” adds Schmidt.

Source: Scott Schmidt, Vesta Building Industries

Writer: Suban Nur Cooley

Consumers Energy is one step closer to building its first wind energy park in the next two years.

The Jackson-based company has signed a contract with a national manufacturer to supply 56 wind turbine generators for the utility’s Lake Winds Energy Park in Mason County on the state’s western shore.

The contract calls for Vestas-American Wind Technology, Inc. to manufacture, deliver and commission the V100-1.8 MW turbine units. The total installed generation capacity of the units is 100.8 megawatts.

“Securing this agreement is a major milestone in the development of our first wind energy park and continues our commitment to environmental stewardship,” says John Russell, president and CEO of Consumers Energy.

“Consumers Energy already is the largest supplier of renewable energy in Michigan. By the end of 2012, including the addition of our Lake Winds Energy Park, about eight percent of the power that Consumers Energy supplies to its customers is expected to come from Michigan-based renewable sources.”

Consumers Energy provides natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state’s 10 million residents in the 68 counties of Michigan’s lower peninsula.

Source: Consumers Energy

Writer: Louise Knott Ahern

If you fall in the middle- to lower-income bracket, rent or own a home and want to update it to make it more energy efficient, the City of Lansing and local non-profit Michigan Energy Options (MEO) have your back.

As part of the Lansing Energy Fitness Program that ends June 30, renters and homeowners within the Lansing city limits can apply for an initial audit, weatherization installations and do-it-yourself materials—for free.

“The City of Lansing’s Energy Fitness program is literally money in the bank for the city’s residents,” says John Kinch, executive director of MEO. “The home energy audit, weatherization installation and demonstration, and the DIY materials given to the resident are worth hundreds of dollars if a person were to hire this service commercially.”

Funding for the program comes from the city, while MEO provides the weatherization experts. Depending on the number of people in the household, your 2009 income must be below $37,500 (for one-person) or up to $70,750 (for eight people). An online chart shows the income threshold for the number of occupants in between.

Kinch likes to emphasize three points about the program. “Homeowners and renters in Lansing can qualify. Household income levels to qualify are higher than people might think. We’re down to the last two weeks of this program and we still have appointments available.”

You can register online here or by calling 517-337-0422.

Source: John Kinch

Writer: Andy Balaskovitz

Tim Falsetta dreams to one day open a city market in downtown Grand Ledge that brings together the area’s best produce. For now he is expanding his own operation.

Falsetta’s Farmers Market, 326 Bridge St. in downtown Grand Ledge, moved into a new space April 1 and, according to Falsetta, “business has been booming.”

“Getting more people down here will be better off for everyone,” says Falsetta, referring to the city, Grand Ledge residents and his own bottom line.

The small market only moved about 50 feet from its old location, but has grown from 200 square feet to about 1,200 square feet.

Falsetta, a Grand Ledge resident and former construction worker, is following in his father’s footsteps. For 45 years, his dad operated a farmers market not all that different from his son’s, which features fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits. A supplier also drives down every week from Sault St. Marie to bring fresh caught perch and walleye.

Falsetta moved from 320 Bridge St. in April to accommodate his need for more display space. He has been running the farmers market since October, 2009, after leaving the construction business. His vision is to bring all vendors and farmers together under a single city market.

“I just need to find the right spot,” he says.

Source: Tim Falsetta

Writer: Andy Balaskovitz

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

One hundred and twenty acres of mature woodlot and healthy wetlands have been secured for $2.83 million, thanks to the help of a state Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) grant and a generous community.

The Lake Lansing Park North property in Meridian Township was formerly owned by HDI Builders of Okemos, but now belongs to Ingham County. Donations to match 30 percent of the DNRE grant came from 1,000 people in the community, Meridian Township Land Preservation Advisory Board, Ingham County and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

“The process has taken a while, but people in the community really are thrilled,” says Karen Fraser, financial coordinator for the Ingham County Parks Department.

The parks department will maintain the land with help from local non-profits.

Characteristic of this southern border to Lake Lansing Park North are the wetlands, mature hickories and oaks, sandhill cranes and white horned owls, as well as hiking trails.

And, of course, the solitude.

“It is really a neat nature park,” Fraser says. “Cars zip down Marsh Road and you can’t hear anything back there.”

She doesn’t anticipate any changes to the 120 acres now that the county owns it.

“This is not a place we would develop,” she says. “It will remain a natural area.”

Source: Karen Fraser, Ingham County Parks Department

Writer: Andy Balaskovitz

Photo: Courtesy of Ingham County Parks Dept

The Grand Ledge City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to permit the construction of commercial and residential wind turbines.  

The version of the ordinance that passed—a second draft—allows residents to install small-scale wind-generating power systems on their roof or property and sell back excess electricity to the grid. It also allows for commercial-scale facilities, though both are subject to various zoning restrictions.

“Some folks here are eager to promote a green lifestyle,” says Grand Ledge Mayor Kalmin Smith.

The first version of the ordinance “made it impossible” to permit residential wind energy systems and banned selling back excess electricity, Mayor Smith says. After objections from the public and a few council members, the planning commission went back to the drawing board, making room for both.

Though it’s now permitted to harvest wind energy in Grand Ledge, Mayor Smith doesn’t think businesses and residents will jump on the opportunity simply because of high start-up costs. He says the primary purpose for passing an ordinance was because the subject “is on the minds of the people” and the smart thing to do is have an ordinance in place for when the venture is more affordable.

Source: Mayor Kalmin Smith, Grand Ledge

Writer: Andy Balaskovitz

A new community garden is being developed in Lansing's Moores Park neighborhood.

The Moores Park Community Organization approached St. Casmir Church in 2008 about turning a vacant, gravel-filled lot into a garden. “They said yes, and in Feb. 2010 I took the lead to see what we could get going,” says neighborhood resident, Paul Kolar.

The garden is 150 ft by 270 ft total, and currently 135 ft x 95 ft is developed. Around $2,000 was raised for the garden between plot fees and donations. Kolar says the garden’s sign was donated by the Reach Community Art Center.

Planning for the garden started with a simple, informal meeting at Kolar’s house this past February. He says the garden is currently open and that people in the neighborhood took over their plots in early May 1. “This garden will allow up to 150 families an opportunity to grow fresh vegetables within walking distance of their homes,” says Kolar.

Kolar gives a lot of the credit for the project to St. Casmir. “They have been a fantastic partner. This would have been impossible without the church community and Father Bill Lugger’s support.”

Kolar hopes to have a ribbon cutting in mid-June.

Source: Paul Kolar

Writer: Daniel J. Hogan

The Red Cedar Friends have built a brand new meetinghouse in Lansing's Old Town. The 4,500 sq. ft. building is located at 1400 Turner St.

“Red Cedar Friends [Quakers] have met in rented space since the late 1940’s,” says Susan Waltz. “As a faith community, we have long wanted a home of our own.”

The project, including the property, cost $750,000. The new building features a main meeting room, a social hall, a kitchen and two class rooms. Waltz says the building was designed by Tim Mrozowski, a professor in the Michigan State University School of Planning, Design and Construction.

The journey toward the completed meetinghouse was a long one. Looking for property started in 2001, and the lot on Turner St. was not purchased until 2005. The official groundbreaking was in Oct. 2008.

“The building is registered as a LEED project,” says Waltz, “and when all the paperwork has been submitted and reviewed we hope to obtain silver or gold status.”

Keeping the project local was another focus, “To the extent possible, we used local suppliers, local contractors, and local materials.”

The Red Cedar Friends will have an open house on Sat. May 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Source: Susan Waltz

Writer: Daniel J. Hogan

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

The City of Williamston’s Farmers’ Market will open for its seventh season on Thurs. May 20. The hours of the market are 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and it will be open every Thurs. until Oct. 14.

The grand opening will feature several special highlights. “There will be live music near the end of the market day and children activities from the local libraries,” says Christine Miller, the market manager. This is Miller’s second season with the market. The number of vendors this season will be 10 to 15, an increase over last year.

Miller says the inspiration behind starting the market was “to bring commerce to the downtown area and to provide the community a source of local fruits and vegetables.”

Miller says that the people of Williamston are supportive of the market. “Many people are wanting to learn more about how products are grown and they want to know where their food is coming from and who is raising it.”

Miller advises shoppers to keep coming back. “Please visit the market throughout the season," she says, "as products and vendors will change as the season progresses."

The market is set up in Williamston’s City Hall parking lot.

Source: Christine Miller

Writer: Daniel J. Hogan