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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2270 |
| Amazon and Beyond |
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| Requester: |
Ronald K. Stayton |
Organization: |
Zoological Society of Florida |
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| Project Title: |
Amazon and Beyond |
Date Submitted |
1/4/2008 11:18:51 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Diaz de la Portilla |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| Miami MetroZoo, consistently rated as one of America�s best zoos. Miami MetroZoo reaches a broad and diverse audience including local and statewide residents, as well as national and international visitors. Twenty-five percent of the Zoo�s 525,000 annual visitors are from outside Miami-Dade County, according to a 2005 study by Morey & Associates Marketing Researchers. Amazon and Beyond will bring thousands of visitors from throughout Florida and elsewhere to see one of the world�s finest displays of the plant and animal kingdoms of Tropical America. Higher levels of tourist and related economic activity will result in tax revenues that will generate $27 million to local government, and an additional $29 million in state revenues over the period. |
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| Recipient: |
Zoological Society of Florida |
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Contact: |
Ronald K. Stayton |
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12400 SW 152 Street |
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Contact Phone: |
(305) 255-5551 |
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Miami 33177 |
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Contact email: |
rstayton@zsf.org |
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| Counties: |
{Statewide} |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Amazon and Beyond is Phase 3 of Miami MetroZoo�s 20-Year, $350 million Long Range Plan. The total projected cost of Amazon and Beyond is $50 million; we have secured $32 million in the form of public and private-sector donations.
Recent focus groups and surveys found that visitors are looking for increased opportunities at MetroZoo for exhibits featuring Florida, the Caribbean and South America, as well as increased interaction with animals. Amazon and Beyond exhibit will address these desires and concerns and emphasize a more positive �guest experience.� The Long Range Plan calls for eight distinct zoogeographical regions from around the world to be created in Miami MetroZoo. These regions range from the Florida Everglades to the shores of Patagonia, from the African savanna to a saltwater swimming lagoon on a tropical Asian island. Each region is unique, providing visitors with an immersive, educational experience unlike anywhere else. Amazon and Beyond will include an additional 739 specimens of 124 species from this part of the world, significantly expanding our collection, and adding new research and educational opportunities.
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| : More than 525,000 visitors yearly will engage in hands-on activities at Amazon and Beyond and will be exposed to endangered flora and fauna from a region of the Americas that represents the most significant proportion of Miami-Dade County residents. This will lead to an increase in knowledge regarding the natural resources and endangered animals and ecosystems of Tropical America. Additionally, Amazon and Beyond will increase Zoo attendance which, in turn, has a positive impact on local, regional and statewide economies. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$3,500,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$50,000,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private |
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Cash Amount |
$32,000,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2006-2007 |
Amount: |
$500,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Miami MetroZoo Long Range Plan approved by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Miami-Dade County Commission |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
