Information about the new west entry
Construction of the zoo’s new west entry project is currently underway. The Zoo Board on June 23, 2009, approved granting the construction contract for the project to Unimark, a local contractor that has been in business in Seattle for more than 50 years.
Total budget for the Humboldt penguin exhibit/west entry was $14 million. The penguin exhibit opened to the public May 2, 2009. Under the construction schedule approved by the board, the west entry should be ready to open in May 2010.
The west entry attracted a total of 18 bids, a surprisingly high number for a construction project of this size and an apparent product of the economic downturn in the country, which has been particularly difficult for construction companies. Of the 18 bids, 17 were below the construction-cost estimate.
As a result, the zoo was able to include in the contract a number of items that might otherwise had had to wait for further finances, including lighting, covered bike parking, electronic signage, audio in the plaza and a full build-out of the second zoo store.
Of particular note to the neighborhood, construction activity during the week will be between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and any weekend activity will be of low sound impact. Access to the site will be via the zoo’s employee parking lot, as it was for the penguin phase of construction.