ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND INFORMATION - Federal Reserve …

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Blue Hills Community Services Joanne Bussinger, Executive Director 3101 Broadway, Suite 770, Kansas City, MO 64111 t: 816-333-7870, extension 220 f: 816-333-0448 w:

Blue Hills Community Services Corporation (BHCS) in Kansas City, Missouri, has been a strategic developer and partner in urban neighborhoods since 1974 and is committed to neighborhood growth, empowerment and sustainability. BHCS provides community development, programs and services focused on enhancing quality of life for urban residents and neighborhoods through coordinated and innovative strategies. Our mission is to revitalize communities, improve neighborhoods and enhance quality of life through innovative solutions in housing, education, community engagement and advocacy.

BHCS implements and coordinates innovative strategies and programs to provide comprehensive community development services in the Blue Hills and surrounding neighborhoods by:

Constructing and preserving safe, healthy and affordable homes Increasing homeownership and improving rental opportunities

Integrating energy efficiency standards in all developments Fostering community partnerships to promote reinvestment Empowering community leaders through organizing, planning and advocacy

Improving access to quality education programs

BHCS has a history of investment in Kansas City urban neighborhoods. Various federal, state and local sources totaling nearly $11 million has been strategically invested during the last seven years for housing and economic development, including new single family construction, renovation of foreclosed and abandoned housing, preservation of owner occupied homes and a new community services center. In 2010, the State of Missouri awarded BHCS a $14.3 million tax credit allocation for the renovation of 107 units of multi-family rental property at 25th and Garfield. In addition, BHCS successfully secured $475,000 in public funds for park improvements at the Blue Hills Park near 53rd and Brooklyn; transformed a vacant lot into a community garden at 49th and Olive; constructed and rehabilitated vacant homes to exceed Energy Star? standards at 49th and Olive; rehabilitated twelve foreclosed homes under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program; and worked with strategic partners to leverage additional federal funds for streets, curbs and sidewalk improvements, home weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades.

In 2008 and 2009, BHCS received awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Best Practices in Affordable Housing and from the Environmental Protection Agency for Energy Star Excellence in Affordable Housing. In 2010, the Bank of America Foundation awarded BHCS the Neighborhood Builder Award as part of its Neighborhood Excellence Initiative.

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Proposal Title:

Blue Hills Services Center/Contractor Incubator

Support Request: Grant

Requested Amount: $100,000

Project Narrative: Prospect Avenue, once one of Kansas City's most thriving commercial corridors, suffers from decades of disinvestment. BHCS has been working with neighborhood residents, community service organizations and city officials to create a development plan that will reverse the negative trends impacting Prospect Avenue and the surrounding neighborhoods, to address the economic needs of small business contractors and to create sustainable new employment for low income individuals.

KEY POINTS Energy efficient renovation of existing 14,168 square foot building on four acre Brownfields site at 5008 Prospect Facility for training and business development for small construction contractors; community space for meetings, trainings and events; and offices for progressive community development, programs and services Built to LEED Gold standards, including Energy Star?. Improvements include daylight harvesting , LED lighting with occupancy sensing controls, energy efficient HVAC systems, certified low VOC products, fresh air circulators for improved indoor air quality, low flow water fixtures, light color roofing to reduce urban heat island effect, products with recycled and environmentally friendly content, waste reduction and recycling during construction and operations Systems will allow us to track and benchmark energy and water consumption data to demonstrate savings achieved relative to a standard code-compliant facility Green amenities will create a more efficient life style, environmental awareness, ensure facility's affordability, and reduce local energy consumption. Completion expected in December 2012

CONTRACTOR INCUBATOR Furnished office space for low-cost lease with computer, internet, phone connection, copier, meeting space, onsite contractor development training, assistance on bidding federally funded construction projects, and access to larger regional construction companies and bid opportunities. Trade and business specific training provided to incubator tenants, as well as, a contractor association for other small construction businesses interested in training. Trade specific training includes, but not limited to, lead-based paint stabilization and abatement, asbestos abatement, weatherization, deconstruction, OSHA-10, energy efficient market trends, green building and Energy Star certifications, new innovations in

materials and methods of installation and other topics central to the green construction industry. Contractor tenants will be provided specialized business coaching, a business assessment and a development plan to reach specific business goals. Business specific training includes, but not limited to, job estimating, bookkeeping, tax law, credit options, construction based computer programs, insurance, etc. Lower level storage space for lease for construction equipment or building supplies.

EVENT/MEETING/TRAINING ROOM Event, meeting, training room will hold up to 100 individuals Available for public forums, neighborhood groups and service based organizations State of the art presentation capabilities Kitchen facilities Computer kiosks with internet accessibility for residents to access employment resources

AREA BENEFITS Substantially enhance the transformation of the Prospect Corridor Bridge existing residential development and community services in the neighborhood Promote development energy efficiency and renewable energy business Enhance growth and development of small business contractors Increase capacity to provide neighborhood revitalization services Create sustainable jobs opportunities in construction trades for low income residents Community space for up to 100 persons for community events, meeting and trainings Located in the nationally recognized Green Impact Zone of Missouri, Greater Kansas City LISC NeighborhoodsNOW target area and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Urban Neighborhood Initiative area

CONSTRUCTION FUNDING $2.2 million from City of Kansas City's EnergyWorks KC grant from U.S. Department of Energy through the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, Better Buildings Neighborhood Program $430,000 in 2011 and $437,000 in 2012 from the city of Kansas City's Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

PARTNERSHIPS Blue Hills and Town Fork Creek Neighborhood Associations Chamber of Commerce Urban Neighborhood Initiative City of Kansas City, Missouri EnergyWorks KC Greater Kansas City LISC Green Impact Zone of Missouri Kansas City Power and Light

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