Hogle Zoo requesting $65 million bond
But to get there, they have to get through the Salt Lake County Council first. The council must vote to put the bond on the November ballot and is scheduled to discuss the issue Tuesday.
Last summer the council rejected the same request on a party-line vote.
But things are different this year, said Brad Parkin, the zoo's marketing director.
Now the zoo has $7.8 million in private donations, compared to the $1 million it had in hand the last time the council considered putting the bond on the ballot.
The bond would be part of an $85 million public-private partnership, with $20 million coming from private funds.
"We're trying to raise as much money as we can privately to put into this effort," Parkin said. "We've put the pedal to the metal, so to speak."
Zoo officials want to use the money to build out the zoo's master plan, with a new animal hospital and arctic edge area tops on the priority list. In total, the master plan includes 16 projects, including new buildings and renovations, Parkin said.
One thing that could work in the zoo's favor this year is November's general election, where thousands of voters will flock to the polls to vote in the presidential race.
Republicans last summer balked at the $65 million price tag, saying property-tax money should not be used on the zoo when those same funds are also needed to fix Utah's educational system. At the time, the bond would have meant an additional $10 a year for the owner of a $250,000 home.
The slumping economy likely won't help the zoo's cause this year.
"At the end of the day, the major factor in the discussion is going to be the economy and the state of the economy, and if we as gatekeepers feel comfortable putting something on the ballot that will impact the residents," Jensen said. "The economics will be the number one issue that will drive the discussion."
Councilman Joe Hatch, a Democrat, said it should be the voters' call, not politicians, on whether they want to pay higher taxes for a renovated zoo.
"It would be very hard to keep them off the ballot, simply because the voters ought to decide this sort of thing," Hatch said.
The county's debt review committee already gave the bond a positive recommendation, but Hendrickson said he's not comfortable making a decision until he sees the county's complete debt situation.
Zoo officials are positive their fortunes will turn this year.
Recent comments
I agree, the bond money could improve the zoo tremendously. But...
to Vote YES: | June 24, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.
The Hogle zoo could really be amazing if this bond were approved....
voteyes | June 23, 2008 at 5:22 p.m.
Remember, if the zoo makes all these improvements with tax payer...
Anonymous | June 20, 2008 at 5:48 p.m.
