National Aviary Seeks Innovations For Expansion Project Through The Pittsburgh Technology Council

PITTSBURGH – January 6, 2009

Contact: Kevin Lane @ (412) 848-8345 or at KLane85579@aol.com

Council member companies to propose new technologies to enhance visitor experience

The Pittsburgh Technology Council and the National Aviary have announced a partnership wherein the Council is assisting in a search for southwestern Pennsylvania’s most innovative materials, technologies and services to be incorporated within the National Aviary’s recently announced $23 million expansion. To that end, officials at the Council and the National Aviary earlier this month met with Council member companies to establish a process for assessing innovations and technologies that would enhance visitors’ experience and educational programming at the new facility.

In October of this year, the National Aviary announced ambitious plans to expand the facility on Pittsburgh’s north side that will enable highly interactive programming, improve visitor amenities and establish a stronger connection to surrounding Allegheny Commons park land. The project will include:

• a new FliteZone™ Theater
  
• new Arch Street entrance and parking side entrances
  
• café
  
• expanded gift shop
  
• expanded staff offices
  
• 10 new interactive bird exhibits
  
• rooftop theater for raptor demonstrations and special events
  
• three multipurpose classrooms that can be subdivided into one or two larger spaces
  
• renovation and expansion of Bird Hospital
  
• 45 additional parking spaces

Officials at the National Aviary want to gain an understanding of the types of innovative technologies that are being developed and cultivated in southwestern Pennsylvania with the ultimate objective that these technologies could add value to the completed expansion. Technologies currently planned for the expansion include high-definition video screens and sound projection, as well as a LEED silver certified sustainable design for the Rooftop Raptor Encounter, which will feature a living, planted green roof that reduces storm run-off and the heat island effect

“Traditional procurement processes would not have provided us with a thorough understanding of the region's technologies and capabilities,” said Linda Dickerson, the National Aviary’s chief executive officer. “We are looking for the latest and best technological enhancements to incorporate into our plans, and we expect the Pittsburgh Technology Council and its member companies to provide that showcase to help us achieve our vision.”

“The Pittsburgh Technology Council is very excited and honored to take part in this high visibility project within the region,” said Audrey Russo, the Council’s president and CEO. “The National Aviary expansion will serve southwestern Pennsylvania and the nation for decades to come as a world-class symbol of where innovation, education and entertainment intersect. At the same time, we are pleased to be able to bring this opportunity to our participating members as another value-added service.”

The Pittsburgh Technology Council is the first and largest regional technology trade associations in the United States with approximately 1,400 member companies within its geographic territory of 13 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. Its mission is to contribute to the success of the region’s technology businesses, and it focuses on developing the economic strength of several industry clusters, including information technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials and environmental technology.

Visit: www.aviary.org
www.pghtech.org

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