Amari Roskelly

     On May 25, 2013 Amari Roskelly, the Sustainability Coordinator for Jacobs Engineering, presented our class with information about how she interacts with Sustainability on a daily basis.  Ms. Roskelly started out with a degree in Architecture but decided to go down the path of sustainability instead.  Having recently passed the certification exams, she is one of the newest LEED AP BD+C certified individuals in Texas.

     With an expertise in both architecture and sustainability, Amari is in the unique position to influence building projects as they are being developed.  This opportunity allows for her input in the design phase saving countless dollars by them not having to come back and retro fit a project with sustainability initiatives.

 

     Amari discussed some of the current projects that she is working on at Jacobs.  Jacobs is heavily involved with buildings on military bases such as in Fort Carson, CO.  There were several sustainability ideas implemented at Fort Carson.  Some of these are energy and water use reduction, reduce automobile dependency, and several others. 

     The base is experimenting with a “micro-grid” of solar panels to provide a cost effective and sustainable source of energy.  In simplistic terms, this is a field of solar panels that collects solar energy and channels it to the base in the form of renewable electricity.

     Another initiative is reducing dependency on traditional gas automobiles.  They have instituted a share-a-ride program on their base.  Also, they are pushing towards a transition to “clean vehicles”.

     I see the careful planning of companies like Jacobs Engineering becoming the wave of the future instead of being the anomaly.   These ideas and other initiatives being implemented save countless dollars as well as display excellent stewardship of our environmental resources.

Link to Amari Roskelly's blog posts:

http://amari-sustainabilityblog.blogspot.com/

Southeast Fort Worth, Inc.

Photo courtesy of https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1024&bih=466&q=andre+mcewing+fort+worth&oq=andre+mce&gs_l=img.1.2.0j0i24l4.1513.5141.0.8946.11.10.1.0.0.0.275.1408.3j5j2.10.0...0.0...1ac.1.15.img.8VSnVRTVUdE#facrc=_&imgrc=2FB3coMmbC5BKM%3A%3BIk7nKHS-jc89FM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tccd.edu%252FImages%252FHighlights%252FRegular%252FAndreEwing_reg.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tccd.edu%252Fmcewing.html%3B300%3B210

     On May 25, 2013 Andre McEwing, the president and CEO of Southeast Fort Worth, Inc., presented our class with information about Southeast Fort Worth, Inc.  Andre was born and raised in Fort Worth and believes that every individual should have a vested interest in improving where they grew up.  This is a sign of his tireless efforts of giving back to the community.

      Mr. McEwing started out in business in various industries before serving at his current post.  He now spends his time dedicated to helping developers and investors see the potential of communities by engaging and understanding their wants and needs.  He stated that the community has the “sweat equity” and often times only needs financial backing to turn neighborhoods around.  He said “there is still value in an inner city” that people tend to overlook.

     Andre attempts to marry investors with community organizers and planners getting them to invest and create a better neighborhood.  Often times he says this is a challenging task because the residents of neighborhoods can be leery of bigger businesses coming in and investors seem to think the neighborhood isn’t worth the investment. 
     
     By utilizing and re-purposing existing areas they are definitely having a positive impact.  The economic development of these areas is ensuring the sustainment and allowing the local community the potential to thrive.

     I think what he is doing is a model for all to emulate.  I personally evaluated a proposal for the revitalization of a block on Evans Avenue in Southeast Fort Worth.  I did not talk to any investors; however, the residents of the area that I interacted with were excited to see an interest in the area.  I was only able to see a glimpse of the satisfaction that Mr. McEwing gets by planning for the future and improving neighborhoods.

Useful Links:

www.southeastfw.com 

Botanical Research Institute of Texas

     On May 25, 2013 we travelled to the Botanical Research Institute of Texas located at 1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas.  We were greeted by Chuck Bosworth and proceed to tour the facility.  It was explained to us that the facility has two primary functions, plant research and house a library for research. 

      The facility has several improvements meeting and exceeding LEED certification.  Some of these include reuse of waterlogged lumber, sloping flood plan, treated windows, water collection and reuse, and solar panels to name a few.  I have attached pictures on the left that illustrate how these have been implemented.

     One of the things I was impressed with was the overall design of the whole area.  I was able to see firsthand how they were taking into account waterfall and effectively channeling its use on the local ground.  This process virtually eliminates storm runoff and puts the water to good use.

      Researchers at BRIT have also planted plant life indigenous to the local area for study.  This is shown on the picture on the left here.

 

     Another thing I thought was interesting was the use of climbing plants on the walls as a way to combat the heat from penetrating the building.  I never thought that would factor in as much as it could.  The use of waterlogged cypress wood for the walls was particularly interesting too.  I didn’t think that it would be cost effective to retrieve and use that lumber.  

     Overall I thought this was a tour that should be encouraged for all to attend.  It is truely a hidden gem of sites to see in Fort Worth.

Professor Wollman explaining the finer details at BRIT.

Site Overview

Useful Links:

brit.org

Tarrant Regional Water District

     Laura Blaylock introduced us to the Tarrant Regional Water District on May 18, 2013.  The Tarrant Regional Water District is a state agency established more than 80 years ago.  She stated that the mission of the district was to provide water to the more than 1.8 million people in 11 counties throughout North Central Texas area and project population and demand for water supplies.  Their agency is also responsible for maintaining and 

operating all of the bike trails in the Trinity River area.

     She provided us a tour of their new facility at 800 East Northside Drive, Fort Worth, TX.  Their building was the first to be L.E.E.D. certified in the city.  This accomplishment was in part completed utilizing cork tiling, recycled carpeting, and all materials sourced withing 500 miles.  In addition, 50-70% of the building is powered by solar.

 

     In addition, their facility aggressively implemented and uses recycling as depicted in the photos to the left. By throwing less away they actually found that they were using less.  The Tarrant Regional Water District also uses three 2500 gallon rainwater tanks to collect and re-use rain water.

     With the growing shortage in drinking water in North Texas as well as world wide increases in demand it is easy to understand the motivation and requirement to build facilities such as theirs.  Laura stated that "water will be the next reason we go to war" if conservation and innovation of our resources aren't sought out.

 

     Laura emphasized the need for efficiency, new ideas, new technology, progressive boards, and investment in long term projects.  In my opinion, improved facilities such as theirs should be the wave of the future.

Useful Links:

http://www.trwd.com/