Daily digest: Sasaki plan ranks highest in survey for Lake Monona revamp, Chipotle announces all-electric restaurants, and more

Happy Friday! AN editors have rounded up a light-hearted digest of news stories to usher in the weekend. From an overnight stay in a bean can–shaped trailer to an oversized arcade game kiosk to the latest on the overhaul of Lake Monona, here’s what you might have missed this week.

Sasaki’s plan for Lake Monona waterfront revitalization ranked highest in public survey

A public survey put out by the City of Madison requested feedback on the three proposals to redesign Lake Monona waterfront. With the response period now concluded and the results tallied, the scheme from Sasaki was clearly the top pick.

The three finalist firms in the Lake Monona Waterfront Design Challenge are Sasaki, James Corner Field Operations, and Agency Landscape + Planning. The challenge focuses on redesigning the waterfront extending from Law Park to Olin Park, in particular drawing a better connection between the downtown and the shore.

Survey questions varied from broad questions, such as which plan best understands and responds to the priorities of Madison residents, to specific elements such as connection to the Ho-Chunk Nation and integration of public art.

The survey received 2,472 responses. In every question Sasaki received the highest ranking or the most positive feedback.

As previously reported by AN, Sasaki’s plan proposes four zones: the Law Park Ledge, Lake Lounge, Community Causeway, and Olin Overlook. It also envisioned a Story Walk where park visitors can learn about the Ho-Chunk nation, the original inhabitants of the land.

Committee members will now discuss their preferences next week, and by the end of the month will announce which plan they prefer. The realized scheme will likely integrate elements from all three proposals.

Full survey results can be read here.

Bush’s® Beans launches competition to stay overnight at national parks in its “Canper”

Ever dreamt of sleeping in a can? Well, now you can. Bush’s® Beans and the National Park Foundation (NPF) have teamed up for a competition that will grant three lucky guests the opportunity to stay the night inside the Bush’s “Canper.”

The can on wheels is decked out inside with a bean-shaped dining table, cans fashioned into lampshades, a stove top for cooking beans, and other bean decor items. On the walls of the cylindrical trailer above the bed, the recognizable Bush advertisement slogan greets guests when they wake up: “Roll that beautiful bean footage.”

Winners can stay at one of three national park locations for a three-day, two-night excursion: Big Bend National Park in Texas, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. In addition to the overnight stay, guests will receive flights, ground transportation, a $200 travel stipend, a private chef, and a park tour guide.

“As a camping staple that fuels outdoor adventures, Bush’s is excited to partner with the National Park Foundation and support their mission of protecting and preserving our national parks for current and future visitors,” said Senior Vice President of Marketing and Innovation at Bush’s Stephen Palacios in a press release. “We know many of our fans are outdoor enthusiasts and turn to Bush’s Beans as park-friendly fuel with plant-based protein. Additionally, our cans are infinitely recyclable and completely shelf stable, making them the perfect pairing for this unique Canper experience or any national park excursion.”

Eager beans can enter to win online through April 26 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Strong National Museum of Play to install oversized Donkey Kong video game arcade machine

On the heels of the opening of Super Nintendo World, the new Mario-character filled theme park in Los Angeles, the Strong National Museum of Play, a.k.a. the World Video Game Hall of Fame, in Rochester, New York, has announced its plans to install the world’s largest Donkey Kong video game kiosk.

The playable arcade game will be situated on the museum’s second floor. Due to its size, it will be visible from the museum’s newly expanded lobby on the first floor. It will stand 20 feet tall, making it 370 percent larger than the original arcade machines. It will be constructed with an aluminum frame and MDF fiberboard.

To operate it, gamers will use a regular-sized control panel and joystick and game play will be cast on the oversized digital screen above.

“Donkey Kong is a true titan in the video game world—both in terms of character size and the iconic status of the game—so it lends itself perfectly to this playful, whimsical installation,” said Jon-Paul Dyson, vice president for exhibits at The Strong in a statement. “The museum’s expansion will provide a new and bigger home for the World Video Game Hall of Fame, and fittingly, Donkey Kong was inducted into the hall in 2017. We’re thankful to Nintendo of America for providing guidance as we create this unique game feature as authentically and true to the original game as possible.”

Donkey Kong will open for play on June 30.

Chipotle announces plans to improve energy efficiency at its restaurants

Chipotle is doing its part to be more sustainable and energy efficient in its operations and at its locations. The fast food chain announced earlier this week that it plans to roll out a series of new electric-centric initiatives.

The restaurant will purchase certified renewable energy credits and will implement a number of changes at restaurant locations across North America in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030. These initiatives are in part a response to Chipotle’s plan to expand to 7,000 locations in North America, doubling its current number of shops.

Among the planned initiatives are installing energy management systems at each location to monitor heating and cooling and refrigeration, switching to low carbon fuels and renewable resources for logistics and goods transportation. It will also take measures to install solar panels, heat pump water heaters, improved exhaust hoods, cactus leather chairs, rice husk artwork, and electric vehicle charging stations at its restaurants.

Chipotle will also reevaluate its menu options, opting for more vegan and vegetarian options, while looking for ways to reduce emissions in its meat and dairy production.