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Overland Park earns LEED Gold for Cities certification; USGBC recognizes citywide sustainability work
Summary
The U.S. Green Building Council awarded Overland Park LEED Gold for Cities after a year‑long cross‑department data effort. City staff and USGBC officials highlighted energy, water and innovation achievements and cited partners including Evergy and WaterOne.
The city of Overland Park announced on Oct. 6 that it has earned LEED Gold certification for Cities from the U.S. Green Building Council, recognizing jurisdiction‑scale progress on energy, water, waste, land use and other sustainability indicators.
Laura Ish, Overland Park’s sustainability manager, told council that staff and community partners began the certification process in April 2024 and submitted a large data packet in March 2025. LEED for Cities evaluates municipal and jurisdictional performance across multiple sectors; Gold is the program’s second‑highest designation.
Jennifer Gumby (USGBC national) and Jesse Krepper, chair of USGBC Central Plains, joined the meeting to present a plaque and commend the city’s cross‑department work. Krepper praised Overland Park’s approach to energy and emissions, innovation points earned for local projects such as floating wetlands and neighborhood leadership programs, and regional priorities including Deanna Rose, OPCAT and EV readiness.
City Manager Lori Curtis Luther and councilmembers thanked staff and regional partners including WaterOne, Kansas Gas Service and Evergy for contributing data and participating in the certification process. Staff said the recognition reflects efforts across city facilities, utilities and planning and will be used as a tool to prioritize future sustainability initiatives.
Council invited residents to attend Fire Prevention Week open houses and other public events connected with the city’s safety and sustainability programming that follow the same theme of community outreach and partnership.
