After two years of discussing a way to renovate the Zoo Aviary into a new use, it was economics that ended the plan and prompted City Council and the Zoo Board to agree on a different way to improve neglected aspects of the Thompson Park facility.
Plans to turn the unused bird house into a classroom proved too difficult and expensive, forcing the relook.
I outlined a plan for an open air pavillion at the aviary site complemented by overdue city help on fixing up the adjacent Children's Zoo. Thompson Park Conservancy Vice President Bob Gorman embraced the plan as a way to continue a quarter century partnership between the Conservancy and the City, while also staying within numbers originally budgeted for Zoo improvements.
Both bodies will meet in two weeks to firm up the proposal.
When a million dollar price tag surfaced for the aviary rehab, everyone realized it just didn't make sense to continue, but still wanted to work together on building a better facility.
Looks like that is going to happen.
As for Bob's visit to the Council Chambers I preside over....well, they say only Cold Warrior Richard Nixon could have made the trip to China to thaw relations.
3 comments:
Our country has been paying the price ever since Nixon thawed that ice. Good luck to you...
Stupid statement, 10:23. Not talking to the China boyz is not the answer. Dealing with them realistically is.
As far as the birdhouse. You went nuts when you let the teachers get involved in the decision making process. We never needed a classroom or any of the other bs that got thrown into the mix. Those people are used to unlimited funding. Only schools can afford to think like that.
Mayor Graham:
I am trying to logic crunch the previous statement and not getting anywhere. Who are "those people are used to unlimited funding"? The Thompson Park Conservancy does have one teacher on the board, but the elected leadership right now is made up of the president of Otis Technology, the managing editor of the WDT, an accountant with Bowers & Co., and a county election commissioner.
And for the record I have never considered the city council to have much in common with the Politburo of the Communist Party of China.
Cheers,
Bob Gorman
WDT Managing Editor
Post a Comment