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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #941 |
| 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 4:22:45 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Bullard |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| Miami MetroZoo, consistently rated as one of America�s best zoos, is the only zoo in a sub-tropic region of the continental United States. More than 600,000 visitors enjoy the Zoo annually; it has reached more than 15 million people of all ages since opening at its current location in 1981. 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 visitors are from outside Miami-Dade County, according to a 2005 study by Morey & Associates Marketing Researchers. Amazon and Beyond, a world-class exhibit devoted to Tropical American flora and fauna, will focus local, national and international attention on Miami MetroZoo, and consequently on the State of Florida, as a leader in conservation, education and cultural enrichment. 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. Amazon and Beyond is Phase 3 of MetroZoo�s 20-year, $350 million Long Range Plan.
At 27 acres, Amazon and Beyond will be the largest exhibit on tropical American flora and fauna in the U.S., and possibly the world. It is our largest undertaking since the Zoo moved to its current location in 1981. Amazon and Beyond will be the size of a small zoo. We will focus on biodiversity that is incredibly threatened. This is critical as a survey by the United Nations suggests that between 2% and 25% of all species in tropical forests (plant and animal) will disappear in the next 25-30 years.
The Washington Economics Group, Inc. has prepared an analysis of the local economic impact that can be expected when the Long Range Plan is completed. The significant increases expected in local, national and international visitors, combined with the jobs and related expenditures created by 20 years of exhibit development, will be monumental in terms of economic impact. The capital outlays required to implement the Plan would inject an average of $13.2 million per year directly into the economy over the period. We expect the number of overnight visitors to the Zoo will increase from 113,000 annually to 510,000 by 2022. A significant portion of these visitors will extend their stay in the region, leading to a direct impact of $7 million per year, on average, in additional tourism spending. And higher levels of 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: |
| The Zoological Society of Florida (ZSF) respectfully requests $3.5 million in non-recurring funding for fiscal year 2007-2008 for construction of a project called Amazon and Beyond at Miami-Dade County-owned and operated Miami MetroZoo. 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. Visitors are also looking for water habitats and exhibits that can be experienced by boat, car or truck. Focus groups and surveys also revealed that visitors experienced the Zoo as �too hot� and as requiring too much walking without enough variety of exhibits and experiences or opportunities for refreshments. The new Long Range Plan, and the Amazon and Beyond exhibit, 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. Within these regions, themed villages provide shelter, refreshments, educational opportunities and a variety of visitor experiences. One of the most anticipated themed regions is Amazon and Beyond because of its close ties to the cultural heritage of most of our community�s residents and many of our visitors. Miami MetroZoo historically has had few animals from the New World tropics in its collection. 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 600,000 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 Legislative Delegation |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
