Project Living Proof
In late July, 2004, a group of people met at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Discovery Center to discuss the possibility of turning a home in the historic Rockhill neighborhood, adjacent to the Discovery Center, into a demonstration of healthy, well built residential living as a part of the growing Kansas City urban conservation corridor. That group included the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Conservation, Bridging the Gap, the Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) and Kansas City Power and Light (KCPL). In August, the MEC board of director's voted to take on the challenge and Project Living Proof was born.

In early February 2005, KCPL made a grant to the MEC for renovation, and the MEC purchased the house at 917 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd and the house next door to it at 913 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.

The short-term purpose of Project Living Proof is to restore these two homes in order to create a living proof example of sustainable living in urban homes. One Project Living Proof house, called the “Discover Home”, will be renovated to greater than market standards to demonstrate health and comfort benefits of energy efficiency, green building technology, native landscaping and appropriate accessibility. The final challenge that the MEC welcomed was to include all of these elements in an historic home in an historic district. The “Discover Home” will serve as a model house, a classroom and training center for related outreach and technology for the home building and remodeling industry, local government and the public at large.

The second and adjacent house will be renovated to market standards and will be an active residence for local college and university students engaged in related academic tracks. These students will be given the opportunity to serve as interns of green technology and environmental education programs. They will help staff the Project Living Proof program activities.