SEATTLE - The Parks, Neighborhoods and Education Committee voted today to pass to Full Council the Woodland Park Zoo's 20-year Master Plan. The plan includes capital improvements financed by the Zoo Society, such as an office building, an events center, a facility housing an antique carousel, and the construction of a parking garage near the West Gate of the Zoo campus.

The City will fund 75% of the garage costs up to a total of $16.2 million planned for construction. "Both the Zoo and the surrounding neighborhoods share critical parking needs," said David Della, Chair of the Parks, Neighborhoods and Education Committee. "Any delay in acting on this legislation is a delay meeting those needs."

The parking garage, required by the committee to be built before the events center (which has a capacity of 400), will be an aboveground 4-level, 3 story structure with about 700 stalls. An amendment proposed by Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck and passed unanimously, sets key architectural criteria for the garage's design. The garage must be aesthetically pleasing from all views and support the Zoo's natural landscape with screens to block car headlights.

"This is great news for the future of the Zoo," said Steinbrueck. "These meaningful amendments will ensure a quality design." He adds, "Neighbors in the Zoo's surrounding communities have helped improve this Master Plan dramatically - and now it's just great to be moving forward."

Today's committee vote requires the Zoo and the City of Seattle to identify both interim and long-term strategies for parking issues prior to, during and after construction of the parking garage.

The Zoo's long-range plan will now go to full Council for consideration. They will be up for discussion and vote on Monday, October 11th, 2004.
You can watch Council in action on Seattle Channel 21 or visit the Seattle City Council's Website at http://www.cityofseattle.net/council/.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, top award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.