April/May 2009
Special
C O N T E N T S
Executive Director's Corner: Standing with Giants, by Deb Kleinman
Special: Remembering Greg Franta, by Annette Stelmack
LEED: Aardex Receives Second Platinum LEED Certification from the USGBC, by Mike Hehir
Energy Incentives: Xcel Announces New Incentives, by Erine Mathe
Sustainable Development: Grassroots Efforts Support a Sustainable Ethic, by Sarah Martinez
Government: Greening the Government: State Leads by Example, by Angie Fyfe
Case Study: Extracting Value From NAIOP's Highly Criticized Building Cost Report, by Courtney France
Go Green, Save Money: Rep. Perlmutter Legislation Promotes Going Green To Save Green, by Christopher Votoupal
Colorado Building Green is the official newsletter of the U.S. Green Building Council – Colorado Chapter, and is published bi-monthly. If you are interested in submiting a story, ideas or other information for publication, please contact the editor at sarah@usgbccolorado.org
In Memory of Greg Franta - A Legacy of Love, Laughter and Sustaining the World
My Brother Greg
Greg was the baby in our family, born in Graceville, Minnesota, with German and Norwegian heritage. Early years he lived in Ortonville, and in his school years through High School he lived in Willmar, Minnesota. Our parents, brother Bernie, sister Joan, and I as well as an extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends surrounded our youngest brother with love and support. At the many family gatherings there was always a lot of laughter and craziness, especially by my dad and uncles, as they played practical jokes on each other. I think this is where Greg acquired his sense of fun, and love of people. Greg also got his ability to engage all kinds of people from Dad as well as some of his drawing skills. Dad was a draftsman and civil engineer designing highways and airports in Minnesota in the 1940’s.
When Greg was about 9 years old he knew he was going to be an architect. He created his own office in an empty space between the basement and first floor. This is where he designed his first houses! We grew up close to farms, lakes, and wilderness. When he went to college in Colorado, he loved the mountains and sunshine and decided this is where he wanted to live, and did most of his life. The land, “Franta Rosa” where he built his “Yurt” was his special retreat and he loved the quiet of nature, with the mountains and forests.
Family was important to Greg, and in spite of his continual travels, he would often take one of his daughters with him. “Lori Sunshine” was the first and she would set the course for Lindsay and Emily. All three were in an airplane flying somewhere, before they were 10 days old. He always made time for them and made them each feel like she was the center of the universe. Greg’s daughters have lost their larger than life father and the days ahead will be difficult, but hopefully they will strive to take on his energy and love of life, with the help of family and friends.
Greg was a loving support to our father when he fell and broke his neck at the age of 70, and after he died Greg was a strong help for our mom, often taking her along on one of his trips when one of the girls were not with him. He and my mom had great stories to tell when she went to Russia with him. Greg got some of his sense of adventure from her. While Greg was at meetings, she befriended the maids and they took her shopping. She could not speak a word of Russian, but she had a great time and got some terrific bargains. In the evening she would go with Greg to dinners and meet all kinds of “important “people.
Our older sister Joan was in an accident when she was about 3 years old, and as a result she was developmentally challenged. Greg was her favorite, and he would often visit her or she would visit him. He had a great gift of communicating with her, which made her feel special. When our mom began to lose her memory and Joan’s health deteriorated Greg was often the one to be there for them in so many ways.
He was also a great support for me when my daughter was struck with meningitis while on a camel trek near Petra, Jordan studying the Bedouin for her anthropology thesis .When I got the call that she was in a hospital in Amman on life support, Greg met me in Paris and flew with me to Amman. He stayed with me and my son until she died Feb. 9, 1999. This was ten years ago to the day he died. I feel there was a special connection with them, as she also lived her life to the fullest.
I always thought Greg would be there for all of us. Life is fragile and we have to take each day and make the most of it. I know Greg accomplished much in his career with “Green” building and did more than his part “to save the Planet”. I am saddened to know that he will not be here to see some of the many fruitions of his work. He brought the same sense of care and love to the world as he brought to his family. But I will also miss him as a loving, caring brother, who brought a sense of joy and fun to our lives, as well as compassion for our sorrows. I will miss him greatly and feel that he has challenged us all to carry on the work of using the earth’s resources wisely and I know he is watching to make sure we stay on track.
Marge Bean - Sister