An overview of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance in Planning District 2, which covers part of Uptown. The St. Charles and Magazine corridors, where a design-review committee will evaluate major projects, is highlighted in light blue. (via nola.gov)

Any planned development larger than 40,000 square feet or with a substantial presence on a major thoroughfare will be specifically evaluated on whether its design meets city standards under the new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, which New Orleans officials hope to ratify as law by February — after years of planning and public meetings.

The City Planning Commission currently has a “design advisory committee” that reviews the plans for any public project proposed by City Hall or other agencies. The new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance would expand that committee’s authority, consultant Stephen Villavaso said at a public meeting Monday evening, to include two major groups of private developments:

• Any development larger than 40,000 square feet, or
• Any development with more than 100 feet of frontage on certain corridors, including the riverfront (such as the Tchoupitoulas area), “character preservation” corridors (such as Magazine and St. Charles), “enhancement corridors” (including Claiborne, Broad, Carrollton, Oak and Earhart) and “transformation corridors” (which include locations in New Orleans East, Gentilly and the Westbank). Multifamily residential projects with more than seven units on these corridors would also be subject to review.

That change is just one of many described by city planners Tuesday evening in a presentation about the new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance in Central City. Another major shift, for example, is to eliminate “cumulative uses” in the zoning. Currently, a lot may be used in any way permitted by its zoning, or any use considered less intense than its current zoning — commercial uses may be built in industrial zones, for example, or residential uses are allowed in commercial zones. Under the new law, only the uses specified in each zoning district will be allowed.

A frequent complaint at City Planning meetings, particularly about projects designated for Magazine Street, is how little parking is required. Businesses under 5,000 square feet are not required to have any parking, and that standard remains the same under the new law, said Leslie Alley, deputy director of the City Planning Commission.

On the other hand, the new law does contemplate ways to ameliorate parking pressures on the corridor. For example, the city may create a “fee in lieu of parking” program, in which developers can pay into a specific fund for the development of public parking lots in congested areas, such as the lot on Freret near Napoleon. Many Magazine Street developers would be hamstrung by the need for parking — since the only way to create space for it would be by the demolition of adjacent historic buildings — but the city could facilitate the creation of public lots in strategic areas that are already vacant, such as unused NORA lots.

The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance represents the enactment of the Master Plan that New Orleanians voted into law in 2008 — the Master Plan was the goals for the future of the city, and the zoning ordinance will be the laws governing those goals for each property in the city.

City officials presented a first draft of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance in 2011, though the zoning for many areas remained partially undetermined at that time, presenting residents with a choice between two districts, for example. After receiving and evaluating more than 1,000 comments about that draft, planners made selections for each parcel in the city, and those revisions are shown in the draft of the zoning law being circulated this month.

City planners are now seeking comment on the selections they made, and will collect those through Nov. 30.

“You know your neighborhood better than we do,” said planner Geoffrey Moen. “We poured a lot of time into creating these maps, but we don’t have all the details that you do.”

When that comment period is over, planners will then make any final changes needed and present a final draft to the City Council to begin the public hearing process. They hope the new ordinance can be passed into law by February of 2014.

Monday’s meeting also included a question-and-answer session that covered aspects of neighborhood participation and other issues. To read our live coverage, see below.

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BROOKINGS, S.D., Oct. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Madison Square Garden unveiled today the designs for the Arena’s new state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind, centerhung multi-meida display. The display will serve as the centerpiece of The Garden’s brand-new LED video display system, known as GardenVision, which will debut on October 25 as part of the third and final phase of The Garden’s unprecedented, $1 billion, three-year Transformation. This cutting-edge system, manufactured by Daktronics (Nasdaq:DAKT) of Brookings, S.D., will include more than 20 individually produced LED displays, providing fans with an enhanced visual experience while at The World’s Most Famous Arena.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=21685

“With the completion of our historic Madison Square Garden Transformation, The World’s Most Famous Arena has also now become the world’s most state-of-the-art arena, ensuring that we continue our tradition of providing our fans with the very best experience possible when they attend an event at The Garden,” said Hank Ratner, president and chief executive officer, The Madison Square Garden Company. “Among the many new technological advancements in the Arena is our new one-of-a-kind GardenVision system, featuring the industry’s most dynamic multi-media display with a unique circular design and stunning image clarity, guaranteeing fans all around the Arena will get to experience the magic and excitement of The Garden up-close and in high-definition.”

This new, original multi-media display will consist of 24 individual high-definition LED displays which are curved to mirror the circular design of The Garden, providing maximum visibility to all seating areas. The scoreboard will be one of two structures in all of sports with LED displays on the inside, bottom for those seated in the lower sections. The main video displays are capable of showing one large image all the way around the board to highlight live video and instant replays, and can also be divided into separate screens to show a variety of vivid graphics, colorful animations, up-to-the-minutes statistics, scoring information and promotional videos. The center-hung video displays will have a unique all-black LED package, providing maximum image clarity and contrast.

About MSG’s Garden Vision Multi-Media Display:

• The four main video displays measure 15.7 feet tall by 28 feet wide. Directly above those displays are four auxiliary video displays measuring more than 6 feet tall by 29 feet wide.
• The corners of GardenVision contain four curved displays matching the height of the main video displays and four more curved displays matching the height of the auxiliary displays to create a full circular video board.
• The inside bottom screens will provide up-to-the-minute statistics, game information, as well as replays.
• The top of GardenVision contains an ID ring consisting of a backlit LED panel that is more than 2 feet tall and circles the entire top of the structure.
• In addition, internal structural accommodations in GardenVision for Wi-Fi, IT and broadcast equipment will improve Wi-Fi coverage throughout the Arena, provide new unique and compelling camera angles for MSG Network and is set up for future technological advances.
• The board can be lowered and expanded for different events.

Madison Square Garden’s new video display system was developed and installed by Daktronics, the world’s industry leader in designing and manufacturing electronic scoreboards, programmable display systems and large screen video displays.

“Madison Square Garden wanted the very best and we’re proud to deliver that to them,” said Vice President of Daktronics Live Events Jay Parker. “The curvature of the main video displays offers Madison Square Garden something that’s never really been done before in this type of application. It’s very unique and fitting for this venue. The underside displays serve as additional space for any form of content and really exemplify how different this display system is from every other venue in the country. The flexibility and content options present endless possibilities for this versatile set up. This project has been a great undertaking and it was a joy to work with such great people at Madison Square Garden, we are excited to see everything fired up and running for their first event.”

The Garden’s state-of-the-art center-hung multi-media display serves as the centerpiece of the GardenVision system, which extends throughout the arena and includes:

• Three LED displays on both the north and south end of the new Chase Bridges, which feature a combination of video and game statistics.
• Four long, curved LED ribbon displays on two different levels of the seating bowl.
• For basketball games, on the sidelines there will be seven sections of LED scorer’s table displays, which can be connected to showcase additional up-to-the-minute statistics, marketing partners and promote upcoming events.

On October 25, The Garden will unveil the third and final phase of the Arena’s comprehensive, top-to-bottom Transformation. In addition to the new state-of-the-art GardenVision center-hung scoreboard, other new elements that will debut include a transformed Chase Square 7th Avenue entrance that is nearly double in size and features a retail store, a brand new box office, a broadcast location, and a specific area dedicated to The Garden of Dreams Foundation, the non-profit organization that works closely with MSG to help children facing obstacles. Also debuting will be two new spectacular Chase Bridges that deliver one-of-a-kind views of the action; a new EIGHTEEN/76 Balcony (10th floor) offering a selection of new food and beverage options and unique seating lounges with direct views into the Arena bowl; a new Signature Suite Level (9th floor) featuring 18 completely transformed suites and the restoration of The Garden’s world-famous ceiling.

The historic Transformation of Madison Square Garden has provided fans with an upgraded experience and enhanced amenities from the first row to the last. From the expanded concourses and first-class food and beverage options, to the larger, more comfortable seats and enhanced sightlines, to the special exhibits celebrating The Garden’s unrivaled history, the new state-of-the-art Arena reinforces the building’s position as The World’s Most Famous Arena.

About Madison Square Garden

The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The Company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the Company’s overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports owns and operates the following sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, track and field and tennis. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from the Company’s venues. MSG Media’s television networks consist of regional sports networks, MSG Network and MSG+, collectively referred to as MSG Networks; and Fuse, a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Networks also include high-definition channels, MSG HD and MSG+ HD, and Fuse includes its high-definition channel, Fuse HD. MSG Entertainment is one of the country’s leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in the Company’s diverse collection of venues. These venues consist of Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA, and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com

About Daktronics              

Daktronics is recognized as the world’s leading provider of full-color LED video displays. Daktronics began manufacturing large screen, full-color, LED video displays in 1997. Since then, thousands of large screen video displays have been sold and installed around the world. Since 2001, independent market research conducted by iSuppli Corp. lists Daktronics as the world’s leading provider of large screen LED video displays.

Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is the world’s largest supplier of, large screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, computer-programmable displays, digital billboards, and control systems. The company excels in the control of large display systems, including those that require integration of multiple complex displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world, in sport, business and transportation applications. For more information, visit the company’s World Wide Web site at: http://www.daktronics.com, e-mail the company at sales@daktronics.com, call (605) 692-0200 or toll-free (800) 325-8766 in the United States or write to the company at 331 32nd Ave. PO Box 5135 Brookings, S.D. 57006-5135.

Safe Harbor Statement

Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is intended to enjoy the protection of that Act.  These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events.  The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, including, but not limited to, changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and magnitude of future contracts, fluctuations in margins, the introduction of new products and technology, the impact of adverse weather conditions and other risks noted in the Company’s SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2013 fiscal year.  Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

For more information contact:
MEDIA RELATIONS:
Justin Ochsner
Marketing 
tel (605) 692-0200  
email

Glenn Adamson, the new director of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, came to his job last week but was already making plans. “The key thing is craftsmanship,” he said, citing as his inspiration “Craftsmanship in a Changing World,” a 1956 show at the museum, when it was known as the Museum of Contemporary Crafts. Mr. Adamson said he is interested in people who work with digital technology in any number of areas. “It could be architecture or fabric,” he said.

Caroline Baumann, the director of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, which hosts the awards, introduced Janette Sadik-Khan, the commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation since 2007, who won the design patron award, for, among other things, starting the Citi Bike program and adding 350 miles of bike lanes and 54 plazas in the city. Ms. Sadik-Khan sees the streets as a New Yorker’s front yard. They represent “an expanded definition of design,” she said, adding, “You wouldn’t design your home to be unsafe.”

Mr. Gore handed out the corporate and institutional achievement award to TED, the nonprofit organization that holds conferences on technology, entertainment and design, and that in 2006 offered its talks online for free. Chris Anderson, the curator of TED, said, “Design is not just about the function of objects, it’s to reimagine the future.” He paused, and added, “Would somebody please redesign this?” and showed a picture of the Capitol building in Washington.

TED inspired other guests at the event. When the conference moves its primary site from Long Beach, Calif., to Vancouver, Canada, next year, it will be held in a David Rockwell-designed pop-up theater. “There will be 10 different ways to sit,” Mr. Rockwell said. “On beanbag chairs, on a sofa with six friends, or in back with your iPad. No seat will be more than 85 feet from the stage.”

Irreverence also had its moments. When Michael Sorkin, the architect, writer and scholar, accepted the design mind award, he said, “I’d like to thank Harvey Weinstein, Sue Mengers … Oh, that’s the wrong speech.”

Tom Wolfe, the writer, dressed in his usual spotless white suit, introduced James Wines, the 81-year-old architect and artist, who won the lifetime achievement award for buildings whose sides peel away, and for designing a 360-foot-high, 400,000-square-foot home in Mumbai, where seven levels were designed to be open-air gardens.

“I had to talk Tom into introducing me, and said, ‘If you don’t do it, Tom, the Cooper-Hewitt will get Kim Kardashian or Lindsay Lohan, and it would take so long to get them up to speed,” Mr. Wines said.

Also honored at the gala: Studio Gang Architecture for architecture design; Paula Scher for communication design; Behnaz Sarafpour for fashion design; Local Projects for interaction design; Aidlin Darling Design for interior design; Margie Ruddick for landscape architecture; and NewDealDesign for product design.