In Independence, a lawn ornament is shot dead by cops when it’s mistaken for a live crocodile. In Overland Park, a naked jogger jumps into a busy public pool.

A new piece in The Atlantic does an excellent job of explaining how this move will ultimately cost taxpayers more money.  It also analyzes how the new location’s transportation impact will wipe out any environmental advantage to the “green” building.

The New York Times points out the Lenexa location will have one environmental benefit – local EPA administrator Kark Brooks will cut his Lawrence to KCK commute half, cutting his daily carbon emissions from 80 pounds to 40 pounds.  Unfortunately Brooks and his EPA staff are getting a lot of flack for a decision they didn’t make.  But they are also in a position to be personal examples of the dire need for better and more integrated coordination of land use planning, economic development, and transportation planing.

Transportation is one of the biggest environmental issues facing the country, but it’s also one of the hardest to address because it has very real impacts on where people live and work.  Recycling is easy.  Driving a Prius is easy.  Changing personal preferences and institutional inertia for suburban sprawl isn’t so easy.

While the EPA touts the new building’s green credentials of energy and water efficiency, it conveniently neglects to mention the environmental impacts of transportation and land use. Transportation is the number one source of pollution and green house gases in Kansas City. This building has virtually no transit service, no nearby bicycle lanes, and is beyond walking distance of any residential neighborhoods.  The vast majority of EPA employees will now have to drive to work, a stark contrast from their current location with multiple transit options and the adjacent Riverfront Heritage Trail.

Over the last two years the federal government has worked hard to connect departments dealing with transportation, housing, land use, and the environment in order to make sure federal policies are promoting sustainable development and re-development.  The local EPA just gave a big F.U. to all of that.

Much like the P&L District, The Falls opened just in time for the recession because of repeated developer delays, and has since struggled to attract enough tenants to generate the revenue needed to pay back its city-guaranteed debt. And the similarities don’t stop there.  Bass Pro’s owners are suing the city to reduce its excise tax bill and lease payments, much like Cordish has sued the county to reduce its property tax bill.

And it’s not just the Independence Bass Pro. Olathe’s smaller Bass Pro is also unable to make its debt payments. In all three cases, taxpayers are on the hook to cover loses while the developer continues to profit.

So the question is, were any KCMO tax dollars used in the CVA’s efforts to help Overland Park lure this convention from City? Is this yet another instance of the City shouldering the burden of funding a regional service only to have that investment be used against it? Unless the CVA completely separates staff, office space, computers, etc. for KCMO and non-KCMO work, the answer is probably yes.

Don’t expect the regional in-fighting to abate anytime soon. Kansas Governor-elect Sam Brokeback campaigned hard on jobs and listed as one of the few things on which he was willing to spend taxpayer money.  And don’t look to regional groups like the Chamber of Commerce, where President Jim Heeter fled to Mission Hills after a losing attempt to become KCMO Mayor, and where new Chairman Greg Graves commutes in from 177th Street way beyond the southern exurbs.

Oh, and they are also coming for zoo animals.  Just as they take our businesses, now they are taking our zoo – one animal at a time!

Shakespeare in the Park’s final performance of King Richard III is Saturday in Southmoreland Park, on the west side the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

New Belgium Brewery’s Clips of Faith Beer and Film Festival is touring the country and stopping in KC Friday night in Theis (Volker) Park on the south side of the Nelson-Atkins Museum.  Sample many of New Belgium’s tastiest brews and see some great beer- and bike-inspired short films.  Take advantage of on-site bike valet parking to avoid parking hassles.

First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District should be lots of fun this month.  The weather will be perfect for strolling and shopping.

Riverfest runs Saturday and Sunday at Berkley Park with music, carnival games, food, and of course the region’s biggest fireworks display, over the Missouri River.

And if you’re looking for something a bit more suburban, we recommend two great fireworks displays in the burbs.  Blue Springs puts on a great show at the high school football stadium, while the bluff in Parkville provides a stunning setting to watch that city’s fireworks over the Missouri River.