City of Seattle Seattle City Council

COUNCIL APPROVES ZOO’S 20-YEAR PLAN

SEATTLE - The Seattle City Council voted unanimously today to pass the Woodland Park Zoo’s 20-year Master Plan. The plan includes capital improvements financed by the Zoo Society, including an office building, an events center, a facility housing an antique carousel, and the construction of a parking garage near the West Gate of the Zoo campus.

“It’s terrific to finally move forward and see the Zoo get the certainty it deserves,” said David Della, Chair of the Council’s Parks Committee. “We feel this plan, with the amendments we added, will give the neighbors of the Zoo campus their much needed parking relief while allowing the Zoo to expand and grow in a way that serves the entire region.”

Councilmember Nick Licata added an amendment clarifying how the Zoo’s neighbors can bring forward solutions to traffic issues. “My amendment says that by mid-2007, there will either be a parking zone, or guidelines on the type and number of annual events at the Zoo.”

When the bill passed, Jan Drago, Council President smiled and said to a silent chamber, “You may clap,” which was followed by an uproar from joyful audience members from the Zoo Society. She added, “I look forward to riding that carousel this summer and I’m hoping to be there when the switch goes on.”

Councilmember Richard Conlin said, “This plan allows the Zoo to move forward in a sustainable fashion fulfilling its core mission of education and conservation—which everything else in the plan is designed to support.”

Four amendments, previously adopted in committee, assure 1) the Zoo and City will develop short-term and long-term parking and traffic plans; 1) the proposed events center will not open until the garage is opened; 3) the parking garage will fit in design with the character of the Zoo; and 4) a two-tiered parking fee schedule will possibly provide a discount to Seattle residents.

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City Council

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