Political storms breakout: Nuts and bolts of rebuilding Greensburg

SCHOOLS: Greensburg's school students study in classrooms set up in a cluster of trailers that sit on south Main Street, complete with a football field surrounded by a running track, and bleachers. A new school building could be up and running as soon as 2009.

HOSPITAL: The Kiowa County Hospital remains open, albeit in five brown canvas tents straight out of M.A.S.H. There's an emergency room tent, an administrative one and three for beds and other services.

WHO PAYS? FEMA will pay for 75 percent of the cost to rebuild Greensburg the way it was before the storm. The state of Kansas will kick in another 15 percent toward that end. Greensburg struggles to fill in the gap, and is counting on corporate and private donations. Other government money has come in for specific projects. United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development has sent $40 million to Greensburg for specific projects, such as a new water tower, a business incubator building and professional planning fees.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: The downtown master plan is due any day for a vote by city council, but tensions are high between pro-central green space and pro-downtown business factions. The master plan for the rest of the city is expected in a few more months, according to the city administrator, who says no town has ever faced rebuilding to this extent. Meanwhile on Main Street, building a business incubator - to host small businesses wanting to get back on their feet - is about to begin.

NEW HOMES: Permits were requested and approved for 61 new homes going up all over the city; another 100-plus permits went out for repairs to surviving homes. "Green" houses incorporate elements such as concrete-filled Styrofoam exteriors, geothermal power and high-efficiency appliances. All utilities ought to be back up by Christmas. Aside from complying with codes, folks are free to build in their own style.