The Monroe County Legislature on Tuesday evening, Oct. 13, approved funding for an expansion project that will add two new structures to the Seneca Park Zoo -- a tropics exhibit and a main entry building.
The tropics exhibit will be a multi-level immersive experience with indoor rainforest habitats, outdoor microclimates and aquariums. The entry plaza will provide new infrastructure for ticketing offices, as well as classroom and education space, event space, administrative offices and a retail outlet.
Before the project was approved in a 22-4 vote, legislators also approved a resolution to authorize $116.9 million in bonds to finance the cost of the project.
County officials said the project's financing plan includes $70.9 million in county bonding,
a projected $23 million fundraising commitment from the Zoo Society and state aid.
Legislator Linda Hasman supported the financing of the project and described how the Seneca Park Zoo is a benefit to the community.
"When we talk about investing in the zoo we are therefore talking about investing in education, our community deserves these proposed upgrades," Hasman said. "Our children deserve places where they can discover the natural world, our families deserve a place to learn and spend time together."
Despite describing the zoo as an important community asset, Legislator Mercedes Vazquez Simmons said the county should focus on issues that reflect the greater needs of the community.
"We're considering spending millions of taxpayer dollars on a zoo project while less than a half mile away children are growing up in poverty, families are struggling to keep their roofs over their heads and parents are living in food deserts with limited access to fresh and affordable food," Simmons said. "We cannot invest in attractions while overlooking the hardship in neighborhoods surrounding them."
Legislator Virginia McIntyre also agreed that there were more pressing issues that needed to be addressed in the community.
"I have a community to answer to, and I brought up the question in a community meeting recently. I said 'We're going to vote on the zoo project, what do all of you think?' It was just a unanimous no," McIntyre said.
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Monroe County approves zoo boost; opponents say funds should aid poor
