Zoo to welcome new features, updates

The Birmingham Zoo Board recently approved a $15 million capital campaign, paving the way for a newly renovated front entrance, an Asian Forest and a new plaza, among other updates. 

“The Zoo has been a distinguished attraction for the Birmingham community for nearly 60 years," Mayor William Bell said. "The new renovations will be an exciting opportunity for the community to come together and watch this landmark grow and develop into an even greater institution.” 

The one-time, economic impact from this $15 million investment in the new entry and Asian Forest is projected at $31.5 million, including direct and indirect benefits from wages, salaries, purchase of goods and services that are re-invested in the local and regional communities.  

“These forms of capital funds will also help to ensure Birmingham’s thrust as a global attraction,” Council President Johnathan Austin said.  “The Zoo continues to provide numerous benefits for our city, and we are excited about what is to come.” 

The total ongoing and annual economic benefit of attracting 550,000 visitors to the Birmingham Zoo and the Zoo’s operational impact of its employees and goods and services within the local economy is $37.2 million.

The campaign for these significant updates follows a record-setting year of attendance in 2013 and the projected increases in attendance for 2014 and beyond. Capital improvements since 1999 for the zoo have exceeded $30.5 million, which includes support of 32 percent from the public sector.

The focus of the overall capital campaign has been identified as the transformation of the “arrival experience,” the dynamic educational portal, flexible public assembly space and retail spaces. 

The Birmingham Zoo has always launched a new initiative program of the Kiwanis Zoo School which educates approximately 600 seventh grade Birmingham city school students annually and serves nearly 75,000 overall school children per year.

“The Birmingham Zoo is a wonderful place for all ages to enjoy and learn about nature and conservation," Chairman of the Birmingham Zoo Board of Directors Jesse Vogtle Jr. said. "This Public/Private partnership investment certainly will increase Birmingham's ability to serve more youth through our Kiwanis Zoo School and other educational opportunities. We are very excited for the future.”                        

For more information about the Birmingham Zoo, visit the Zoo on Facebook and Twitter or at birminghamzoo.com.