HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7279 44FORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7279
�QECarrt�� To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 26, 1988
Subject:
4OV) FORT WORTH ZOO - CATS AND BEARS EXHIBIT
General Discussion
On December 7 , 1987 the City Council approved M&C C-10707 ,
authorizing the selection of Youngblood Architects as the architect
for the Cats and Bears Exhibit . Youngblood Architects are the lead
f i r m, furnishing architectural d e s i g n , construction documents ,
construction observation , and overall project administration . The
Larson Company , acting as a consultant to Youngblood Architects , is
the primary exhibit designer, furnishing services of design ,
construction d oc ument s , and const ruct i on observation as they re 1 ate
solely to the animal exhibits .
Three Park and Recreaton Advisory Board members (Bob Adams , Bill
Meadows and Stan Wilson ) have attended a series of three workshops
to review the design process . The workshops were conducted as
publ i c meeti ngs . Val uabl e i nput was recei ved f rom the parti ci pants
and the visiting public was allowed input through the attending
Park Board members . On May 26, 1988, a fourth public workshop is
scheduled to review final adjustments before beginning construction
documents .
Project Scope
The scope of this project was to prepare plans for construction of
exhibits to house tigers and Asian sun bears . There are four
tigers and four bears currently housed in small cages constructed
in 1929. It is anticipated that the exhibit will accommodate up to
seven bears including cubs , and two families of tigers , totaling
between four and twelve animals .
Plans prepared by the architects have taken into consideration the
ultimate development of an Asian Diorama that would include an
Asian crane p o o l , A s i a n bird aviary , Asian monkey exhibit
(Macaque ) , Asian crocodiles (Ghari al s ) , and a visitor information
s tat i on . Part of the deli gn i ncl odes an el evated boardwal k that
provides convenient handicap access and improved viewing of
existing elephant and a s i a n deer exhibits . Preliminary cost
estimates indicate that the boardwalk may not be within the
avai 1 able budget . Construction is expected to begin during the
fall of 1988 and be completed within twelve to eighteen months .
0P*1
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
..........
WFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7279
+..,,,,,
mot fORT,�o To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
u �s
s
rcx"y Subject:
10 71)
0 eratin g Costs
Annual operating costs for this facility are estimated at $60,000,
including three additional. Zoo Attendants , all associated
personnel costs , and additional utilities . While we currently
house these animals , their confinement is very small and
maintenance is a simple procedure . The new exhibits will be much
larger , requiring additional grounds maintenance and cleaning , much
different animal handling procedures , and additional utility costs
for proposed water features and holding facilities for the animals .
Financing
A total of $1 ,800 ,000 was made available for this exhibition in the
1986-88 Capital Improvement Program. Funds are available in Park
and Recreation Fund 05 , Project No. 046-001 -00. The estimated
construction budget is $1 , 580 , 000. We anticipate that two
contracts will be awarded for construction . One will cover general
construction of holding facilities , walkways and site preparation .
The second constract would involve the detailed construction of
the animal exhibits . This is unique and exacting work that
requires special resources and experience not performed by general
contractors . There are a number of firms that do detailed exhibit
construction nationwide and construction documents will indicate
the qual i f i cati ons requi red.
Adequate funds are available to construct the Cats and Bears
Exhi bit . Additi onal funds may be required to construct other
desirable elements , including the boardwalk mentioned earlier.
Additional funds may be available through private donations or
other City sources , should the City Council approve the additional
elements of the exhibit .
On April 19 , 1988 at the regular meeting of the Park and Recreation
Advisory Board , Mr . Youngblood presented the plan for the Cats and
Bears Exhi bit . The Park and Recreation Di rector presented
estimated operating costs . After some discussion , the Park and
Recreation Advisory Board voted to approve the project design and
recommend that a report be prepared on the Cats and Bears Exhi bit
for City Council consideration . Unless otherwise directed , the
architect wi l l proceed , following the direction recommended by the
Park and Recreation Advisory Board .
Opp, ��YDougl as Harman
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS