The animal support building is the first phase in a multi phase construction project at Como scheduled to be completed in 2005. The project also includes construction of a temporary Como visitor center, renovation of the main zoological building for zoo and conservatory staff offices, and construction of a new 65,000-sf visitor and education resource center.
The main zoo building, built in the 1930s, also will be renovated, and a fern room and expanded plant areas are planned for the conservatory. The zoo draws more than 1.7 million visitors annually.
Hammel Green Abrahamson of Minneapolis is doing the design for the project; Graus Construction of Hastings built the animal support building. Other contracts arepending.
The four-year project is being financed by the city of St. Paul, the state, the Metropolitan Council, the Como Zoo and Conservatory Society, and $7 million raised by private donors. The $25-million in public funding includes a $16-million appropriation by the 2000 Legislature.
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