November 5, 2018
This morning, Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo joined Seneca Park Zoo officials to kick-off demolition of the antiquated Main Zoo Building. This demolition marks culmination of the County’s first phase of Master Plan improvements at the Zoo, which included the new Cold Asia habitats, Animals of the Savanna expansion, and Zoo Tram.
The building was decommissioned over the summer with all resident Zoo animals being relocated to other areas of Seneca Park Zoo or to other zoos around the country. Removal of the outdated 1931 structure makes way for a second phase of Master Plan improvements, to include a new Tropics Complex featuring animals from the ecosystems of Borneo, Congo, and Madagascar.
Demolition of the Main Building is expected to wrap-up before the end of this year. Upon its conclusion, the footprint it once occupied will graded and planted with grass, for the time being. Planning and design of the new Tropics Complex and entryway improvements will begin in 2019, with construction commencing in 2020 and an anticipated opening date of 2022.
Check out the local news coverage below!
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WHAM: Demolition of main building underway at Seneca Park Zoo
WHAM 1180: Demolition Underway at Seneca Park Zoo’s Former Main Building
WROC: Seneca Park Zoo begins demolition of main building to make way for new exhibit
Rochester Business Journal: Demolition at zoo prepares for new Tropics ComplexRead the Official Press Release
