San Diego Zoo Construction at the Zoo

[sandiegomaster]

I just got home from spending the morning at the San Diego zoo and I couldn't believe all of the things that are going on. The entire front entrance is blocked off for new construction on front street. All they have up currently is a bunch of temporary walls and gates and the exit is now both an exit and entrance. The flamingo exhibit has a large wall around its west side blocking it from seeing the construction and the little tree area by the flamingo exhibit is torn up and they are placing some sort of cage there from the looks of things. The construction goes from the first store on the north all the way to the exit. There are big sings up saying that this is phase one of a multiphase construction project to renovate the entire front of the zoo.

No construction has started at the pandas yet. There still building something down by the second flamingo exhibit that is out of the tourist part of the zoo. Other than that, there is nothing else being worked on.

The baby hippo is out but the mom hides the kid and even after an hour, the mom still hadn't moved enough to see the little one. The baby takin is out and playful.

 

[Arizona Docent]

This is a huge surprise, as there has been no mention of it in the members monthly magazine. (Maybe the next issue will have something). PLEASE keep us updated.

 

[Otter Lord]

Woah, they had construction around the entrance awhile back to upgrade some of the things on "Front Street," like new decorative walls, photo booths, upgrades to the reptile house, and vendor areas. There was evidence that the SDZ was going to redo their entrance and exit area, is that what it looks like they are doing right now? And by west of the flamingos, you mean behind the flamingo cage as you face from the entrance right? Just to be clear that the entire zoo faces west from facing from the entrance to the back of the zoo.

And what are they building down by the birds of prey and manchurian cranes? I went to the Zoo two weeks ago and this is all news to me. I'm still waiting for my ZooNooz to show up in the mail too to get the information on the new Panda exhibit.

Also, off-topic, but there was construction of some building around Lion Camp last time I was at the WAP. I assume some sort of vending place. It was left of the path right as you cross the asphalt into Lion Camp. Is that completed as well?

 

[betsy]

I took these pictures at the zoo today. They are on the temporary wall separating the flamingos from the construction. They are pouring concrete for walkways and a designated bus lane. The bus lane will be flanked by planters to discourage people from walking in front of the buses. You would be surprised how many times I have seen people step right in front of the bus.

 

[Otter Lord]

They are pouring concrete for walkways and a designated bus lane. The bus lane will be flanked by planters to discourage people from walking in front of the buses. You would be surprised how many times I have seen people step right in front of the bus.

At least they are doing something that sounds practical. That entrance area has always been in disarray. Are there going to be any changes to the buildings around there? I'd like to see more traditional Spanish-style architecture like that on the reptile house.

 

[polar bear]

I understand that there will be construction for the next few years (hopefully in small bites) as the Zoo gets a facelift for its 100th anniversary coming in 2016. The entry is having new tile installed.

I also hope that the ZooNooz has an article on what to expect.

 

[Arizona Docent]

The bus/pedestrian interface has always been a problem (not just the entrance, but anywhere the buses go). That is about the ONLY thing they did right at Elephant Odyssey - creating a separate bus route and pedestrian route. (Even though I still see less than intelligent visitors walking on the bus route). I assume any new construction will try to create separate bus routes as they are doing here.

I also assume this means there are no immediate plans to develop the parking lot into exhibit space and build a new entrance, as they talked about a while back.

 

[Otter Lord]

I also assume this means there are no immediate plans to develop the parking lot into exhibit space and build a new entrance, as they talked about a while back.

They repaved and repainted the parking lot last summer. They have more parking now with new signs for each area. The parking is a lot more crowded but the rows are only one way and the parking spaces are diagonal now so it is pretty easy to park still. Navigating from row to row is difficult though because it is hard to see the arrows and there are 3 lanes so people become confused. Parking is still free and safe and secure unlike some zoo parking.

 

[betsy]

These pictures were taken from the hill next to Eagle Trail. They are putting in a 14 ft. deep flow equalization tank to control rainwater. If you have ever seen the "paid" protesters in front of the zoo holding a sign saying "San Diego Zoo hurts our community" they are protesting the way these workers were hired. Really a city issue more than a zoo issue.

What's that pond by SR 163 in Balboa Park? - SignOnSanDiego.com

 

[sandiegomaster]

pics of the construction with words

takins is in green
there are three bridges that I can see
pandas by the tree in the middle
vipers by the pandas
concrete path

 

[Otter Lord]

These pictures were taken from the hill next to Eagle Trail. They are putting in a 14 ft. deep flow equalization tank to control rainwater. If you have ever seen the "paid" protesters in front of the zoo holding a sign saying "San Diego Zoo hurts our community" they are protesting the way these workers were hired. Really a city issue more than a zoo issue.

What's that pond by SR 163 in Balboa Park? - SignOnSanDiego.com

I can't stand those protestors, you see them everywhere in the city with the same sign of "so and so hurts our community." Our community would be no where if it wasn't for the San Diego Zoo and what it does in the community.

Also a side not, in that area they found an ancient whale skeleton, which was dug up in conjunction with the Natural History Museum.