BRIDGEPORT — What can the Beardsley Zoo do with an extra $5 million in state funds?
A lot, according to state Rep. Joe Gresko.
“We’re looking to try to get them additional capital for some improvements at the zoo for a new condor exhibit and parking improvements because it’s our state’s only zoo and they get a lot of visitors — both students from across the state and also people from across the state,” said Gresko, D-Stratford, who for years has worked for the city of Bridgeport as a green energy coordinator.
But before the zoo can plan on any improvements, a bill allowing the state to issue bonds toward improvements at the tourist attraction, introduced by Gresko, has to pass the General Assembly’s budget process.
Gresko said a similar bill was proposed last year but failed to pass in the legislature, edged out by other legislative priorities. He said he’s hoping for better luck this year.
“Unfortunately it didn’t make it through the budget process so we’re going to give it another shot this year hopefully with the state being much more financially stable now and some funds being available for reinvestment for what is one of the state’s gems I hope it wold be reconsidered,” Gresko said.
If the bill passes this time, the improvements would help promote the local economy and Beardsley Zoo Director Gregg Dancho said it would help mitigate the effects of climate change at the zoo.
Climate change has changed animal behavior and even altered the day to day operations of the zoo. But the money would help address those challenges, according to Dancho.
“We would try to relieve some heat sink that comes from black asphalt so it would help a little, along with putting water back into ground and out of storm sewers,” Dancho said.
Dancho said the money, if approved, would also lead to happier guests.
“This funding will allow us to increase guest satisfaction through physical and animal habitat improvements,” Dancho said.
Guest satisfaction will go a long way towards helping the zoo, Gresko said, noting it could lead to more visitors.
“It’s only natural to follow that with some capital improvement upgrades, so that the people that are coming over there have a good experience and then by word of mouth you even get more people,” Gresko said.
Dancho said the money would also help with education and conservation efforts.
The zoo has worked toward making improvements to its exhibits over the years.
Last year, Gov. Ned Lamont announced the zoo would receive $4.1 million in state funding to be used toward upgrades and renovations to its tiger exhibit and greenhouse.
The zoo, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, also recently announced upgrades to its prairie dog exhibit.
eddy.martinez@hearstmediatct.com
Twitter: @writingistough
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