Posted on Sun, Nov. 20, 2005

METROZOO

`This could be our Universal Studios'

A plan to develop the land surrounding Miami Metrozoo into an entertainment venue could be approved this year.

BY JENNIFER MOONEY PIEDRA

jmooney@herald.com


Undeveloped land near Miami Metrozoo would become an Orlando-style entertainment mecca under plans that Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation officials have submitted to the county's planning and zoning department.

A county-owned parking lot at the zoo site would be redeveloped into a $75 million destination featuring a water park, vacation hotel, Main Street with shops and restaurants and a new transportation museum.

''This could be our Universal Studios,'' said Miami-Dade Commission Vice Chairman Dennis Moss, whose district includes Metrozoo.

The attractions -- which Moss said could be in place as early as 2010 -- would be paid for by developers, who would lease the land from the county and help offset zoo operating costs, parks officials said.

The proposal, dubbed the ''Metrozoo Entertainment Area,'' coincides with a $360 million makeover at the zoo, which plans to add more themed exhibits over the next 20 years.

No date has been set for the application to go before the Miami-Dade Commission for final approval, though parks officials hope public hearings are held by next spring.

If approved, the 121-acre entertainment venue would forever change the landscape of South Dade. Zoo and parks officials say it would provide long-term benefits to the local economy and job market.

''There were years and years of discussions of how to make this happen,'' said Metrozoo Director Eric Stephens. ``We are very much in favor of it.''

Planners optimistically estimate that the new attractions could increase annual zoo attendance from the current 500,000 to about 2.5 million. They would bring in at least $890,000 in revenue to the county, Asher said.

Visitors to the new development would be able to dine at an upscale restaurant, window-shop along Main Street and perhaps even hang upside down on a roller coaster.

The zoo expansion plans include an $8.5 million family entertainment center with a miniature golf course, go-kart racing, arcade and skating rink. Within walking distance would be a $22 million water park featuring a wave pool, lazy river and slides.

For history buffs, the $18 million redesigned Gold Coast Railroad and Transportation Museum would highlight the influence of trains, planes, boats and blimps on South Florida.

Also proposed: a moderately-priced vacation hotel that would cost about $26 million to build.

THEME PARK

Another aspect of the proposal is a $200 million adventure theme park with roller coasters and a $60 million resort hotel on an additional 260 acres. Those elements are on hold, though, until Metrozoo acquires the land from the U.S. Coast Guard. Negotiations are under way, parks officials said.

Asher, of the parks department, said changes are needed to make the 24-year-old zoo more appealing to visitors.

''The idea was not only to make the zoo a bigger and better place but to provide other essential attractions people want to go to,'' he said.

The market would be locals as well as tourists, he said -- and tourism officials say the revamped zoo would be a welcome addition.

''Miami is emerging as a family travel destination,'' said William Talbert, president of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. ``The more attractions, the better.''

Maybe not better in every way, say some South Dade residents, who worry they would be the ones to suffer growing pains from a Metrozoo expansion.

BAD TRAFFIC

''The traffic issues are going to be a nightmare,'' said Ory Dawes, president of the Country Walk Master Homeowners Association -- particularly on already congested thoroughfares such as Southwest 152nd Street and the Florida Turnpike.

Still, Dawes, a Country Walk resident for 14 years, isn't opposed to the project. She said it would be a great place for children and adults.

County officials, who have hosted several community meetings with South Dade residents to discuss the zoo plans, say they are studying how to improve roadways to address the traffic concerns.

One possibility, Commissioner Moss said, would be to create an exit off the Turnpike to funnel vehicles directly in and out of the zoo site.

Whatever the resolution, Moss said, ``We're not going to go into this situation where we create a burden on the community.''

Officials hope the new attractions would lure additional visitors to Metrozoo, which is getting a major makeover, including the $13.5 million Wings of Asia aviary and the $35 million Tropical America exhibit featuring animals of the rainforest. The zoo redesign is being funded by the general obligation bond program approved by Miami-Dade voters in 2004, by the Safe Neighborhood Parks bond and by private donations.

Plans to develop the land near the zoo have been in the works for many years.

After Hurricane Andrew flattened South Dade in 1992, Moss searched for ways to revitalize the struggling area. He decided a theme park would be the perfect way to boost the local economy while also providing jobs.

At one point, Homestead Air Reserve Base was considered the prime spot for the attraction, but that idea didn't pan out, Moss said. In 2000, the county hired The Portico Group, a Seattle-based zoo planning and design firm, to draw up a plan to redesign the zoo.

A study done at the same time determined that an entertainment area near the zoo would be a good idea.

COMING TO LIFE

Moss is proud to see the project finally coming to life.

''You can go to South Beach and hang out and party all night and you can go to Aventura and shop, but you can't find a place in Miami-Dade County where you can find an amusement park,'' he said. ``This will be a magnet that will draw visitors from the county and all over.''

busch gardens miami... sound good to any1 else?

"redeveloped into a $75 million destination featuring a water park, vacation hotel, Main Street with shops and restaurants and a new transportation museum."


sorry but in miami 75million gets you nowhere,if they're going to build it spend some money make it worthwild so that later they don't complain that no one goes there(parrot jungle).now i like the theme park side of it but in the end you have metrozoo's biggest issue its quite far for most ppl to go and check it out.

I wonder if it would come with road improvements? From what I've seen SW 152nd ST near the Turnpike (where people would get off to go to the metrozoo) is already one of the worst traffic areas in the region to begin with.

I`ve seen individual rollercoasters that cost nearly $75 Million...

The $75 million figure does not include the "adventure theme park" that would be an additional $200 million. The $75 million just covers the water park and zoo improvements. It also calls for a $60 million resort-hotel.

I wonder if it would come with road improvements? From what I've seen SW 152nd ST near the Turnpike (where people would get off to go to the metrozoo) is already one of the worst traffic areas in the region to begin with.

they said they might consider giving the project its own ramp onto the turnpike... so itll just fuk up traffic there, not on any of the surrondings roads

Satellite picture aerial of the MetroZoo area
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/BornInTheGrove/MetroZooSat.jpg
Map of MetroZoo and surroundings
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/BornInTheGrove/MetroZooMap.jpg
Map of what would happen to the area after the surround area is purchased and developed.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/BornInTheGrove/MetroZooFuture.jpg

So what is currently at this Thompson park, and how likely is it that the coast guard will give up that land?

I remember going to that park when I was little. There are a few water slides and a lake. Thats about it.

Great plan for Miami.

I can't wait to see that expansion. Great news for our city.

This article was published some time ago that mentioned these new additions...

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/7889/untitled19vs6za.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/5999/untitled226hj6ck.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:)

Great expansion.

Miami MetroZoo with Google Earth


http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/3723/googleearthmiamimetrozoo018tg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/2138/googleearthmiamimetrozoo025at.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/1091/googleearthmiamimetrozoo032gv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/1142/googleearthmiamimetrozoo043aj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/56/googleearthmiamimetrozoo059vo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


:)



Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting
(http://www.imageshack.us)

That is very cool :). What is the thing that says Dec 1963 areal view?

That is very cool :). What is the thing that says Dec 1963 areal view?


It is basicly the same picture. This is what I’ve got:

http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/8350/googleearthmiamimetrozoo072yu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


I’ve clicked the link from the MetroZoo at the bottom of that screen and I’ve noticed this new ride (cool, I have to go there and check it out):

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5803/googleearthmiamimetrozoo060hn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:)



Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting
(http://www.imageshack.us)

County must get federal OK to develop around MetroZoo

By Deserae del Campo
Miami-Dade County must win federal approval before it can seek a developer to create a $1 billion-plus entertainment district at MetroZoo that would include a water park, a ride-themed adventure park, vacation and resort hotels and improvements to the zoo.
When plans to create a water park between Florida City and Homestead were squashed, county officials set sights on MetroZoo to build a world-class entertainment district.
The county expects attendance at the park of 2.5 million people a year, five times the average 500,000 who have attended the zoo annually.
But before the county seeks a developer, land-use issues on the 740-acre county-owned property must be ironed out.
The federal government gave Miami-Dade 1,000 acres in the south part of the county in the mid-1970s, said W. Howard Gregg, assistant director of planning and development for the county's parks department. "The land is under a federal covenant, which allows the land's use for only recreation and open space. This is a standard covenant in accordance to the federal government.
"Locally, we are working with the federal government to transfer this covenant to another parks space land located near Tamiami Airport," said Mr. Gregg. "The county is looking to remove the public open space covenants on 42.8 acres of the 740 acres at MetroZoo for the water park development."
After the county removes the covenant from the land, it would be transferred to the West Kendall District Park, at Southwest 120th Street and 157th Avenue.
"The county owns the land," said Commissioner Dennis Moss, "and it was given to the county by the federal government. We just have to remove the provisions on the land before we can develop.
"This has been my vision," Mr. Moss said. "I have spearheaded this and am moving forward to get this done and make it our own Universal Studios in Miami-Dade."
Mr. Moss said a request for proposals for a bidder interested in the project is ready to go, but the land-use issue needs to be taken care of first.
"This will be a place for families and tourists to visit," he said. "It would create a tremendous number of jobs. We expect within the next five years to have something done on the land - either the hotel or construction of the water park."
The plan proposes several developments:
•Miami Metrozoo: A master plan for the zoo, which opened in the 1980s, plans to increase the animal and geographic interactive exhibits such as Africa's Tropical Forest, Caribbean Islands and Australia exhibits. Construction is estimated at $377 million with an annual operating impact of $31 million and 2,054 permanent jobs.
•The Adventure theme park would include Florida and Caribbean themes, rides, a central volcano island and lake. Construction costs are estimated at $200 million with an annual operating budget of $66 million and 3,883 new permanent jobs.
•A resort hotel with 300 first-class rooms next to the theme park. Construction costs are projected at $60 million with an annual budget of $8 million and 540 new permanent jobs.
•A vacation hotel with 200 rooms on zoo grounds. Construction costs are estimated at $26 million with an annual budget of $5.4 million, creating 160 permanent jobs.
•A 20-acre water park with a wave pool, a water slide, a tidal pool, arcade areas, a retail component and food service. Construction cost is estimated at $22 million with annual operating impact at $28.6 million, creating 1,654 permanent jobs.

Think it would be possible to create an offshoot of the turnpike to this new entertainment complex... make it easier on the traffic and general public when going to the park?

County guarantees zoo would get revenues from entertainment complex

By Eric Kalis

Miami-Dade County commissioners last week reaffirmed their support of a $1 billion entertainment district near the Miami MetroZoo with a measure guaranteeing that revenues from the complex would go directly to the zoo's expansion.
Commissioner Dennis Moss, a proponent of building an adventure theme park, water park and 300-room hotel next to the zoo, sponsored the measure, which passed unanimously Sept. 26. Voters will decide Nov. 7 whether to allow the county to request proposals to hire a private developer for the complex.
The purpose of the measure, Mr. Moss said, is to clarify the county's intention to pour revenues from the district back into the zoo, which is in the midst of a $365 million expansion. Since the complex would rise on county-owned land, neither the county nor taxpayers would be on the hook to fund the parks and hotels, said Vivian Donnell Rodriguez, director of the county's parks and recreation department.
Mr. Moss emphasized that the private-sector projects would enhance the zoo as a visitor destination. "We wanted to make sure the public understands that this development will benefit the zoo's operation and bring tourists to the area," he said.
County officials are not waiting until Nov. 7 to shop the project to developers, said Mr. Moss, who will attend the Water Park Association's annual conference in Orlando on Oct. 15. The county continues to receive queries from prominent water park operators, such as national company Palace Entertainment, which just built a water park at Silver Springs near Ocala, and Texas-based Schlitterbahn.
"The conference is a way for us to put on a big marketing push," Mr. Moss said. "Hopefully, we can spur more interest in the project. Right now our focus is on the water park portion."
County officials have not outlined specifics for the proposal, Mr. Moss said, but it is possible that the developer of the water park would have the opportunity to bid on other portions of the complex. There is no timetable for awarding the project yet, he said.
A 2002 economic impact study by LEDO International estimated that 74% of park revenues would come from local patrons. County officials have not requested an updated study, Mr. Moss said, and remain confident the park would be a success. The study indicated that park attendance would increase five-fold to 2.5 million annual visitors and create 1,654 permanent jobs.
The development of housing in the area surrounding the zoo offers a vast local market for the park, Mr. Moss said. The South Florida climate will allow the park to stay open throughout the year, giving it a competitive advantage over parks in other parts of the county, he said.
Reliance on local clientele makes the idea of a 300-room hotel at the complex seem excessive, said Guy Trusty, president of Lodging and Hospitality Realty of Coral Gables. The hotel could be used for local business functions, he said, but it should have closer to 200 rooms to keep operating costs down.
"A MetroZoo hotel could provide the best of all worlds if enough local businesses use it, but they will not if the rates are too high," said Mr. Trusty, who consults on hotel projects. "There should be a demand within the business community in that location."
To compete with high-priced hotels in the Keys, Mr. Trusty said, the hotel operator would have to be reputable and offer affordable rates. The county must be flexible when proposing the project, he said.
"The county has a preconceived notion of what it wants," Mr. Trusty said. "That could narrow the field of potential respondents. To simply respond to a proposal costs a couple hundred thousand dollars."

I think it goes without saying where my stance is on this issue.
Development of zoo property in voters' hands

BY CHARLES RABIN
crabin@MiamiHerald.com

Can wildlife officials manage one of Miami-Dade's last reserves of pine rockland by setting controlled burns if a dramatic expansion of Metrozoo tourism facilities is built on land next door?

That's one thing voters must take into account on Nov. 7 when they decide whether to turn over 69 acres of public land at Miami Metrozoo to developers -- a move that some way could affect the adjacent pine rockland reserve for decades to come.

The only county question during November's midterm elections asks voters whether to authorize the county to contract for construction of a hotel, water park, restaurants and other amenities.

Backers say the facilities will significantly boost tourism. They also argue that protection of the 350-acre reserve is paramount and that the need to set controlled burns there at least once every seven years will be accommodated.

''I look at this whole thing as a mall, with us being like the anchor store,'' said zoo spokesman Ron Magill. ``If they can't have controlled burns, I'll be the first against this project. I will go ballistic if I see things being done that are contrary to the environment.''

Not so fast, say some conservationists.

''The issue of the fires is my biggest concern,'' said biologist Keith Bradley, assistant director of Miami's nonprofit Institute of Regional Conservation. ``Prescribed fires are extremely difficult any time there is development.''

The area surrounding Southwest Miami-Dade's Metrozoo has the largest concentration of pine rockland in the world, outside of Everglades National Park. In it live at least two endangered plant species and dozens of sensitive native plants. Birds and snakes, including the diamondback rattler, live there, too.

For the area to thrive, a planned burn must take place every three to seven years. Since Metrozoo was built in 1980, the Florida Division of Forestry hasn't needed to set a burn because fires have started at reasonable intervals, naturally and otherwise.

Without burns, ''the habitat will degrade quickly and will cease to remain a habitat for rare plant species and most native wildlife,'' said Bradley, a former biologist for the county's Department of Environmental Resource Management.

Magill -- likely South Florida's most outspoken animal lover -- said he's not too concerned about harming the pine rockland after hearing from developers who promise to recycle water and keep the project contained.

Magill says expansion will make Metrozoo a better destination for visitors. It now gets about a half million attendees a year, whereas projections when the zoo was built in 1980 were about four million.

The expansion plans have other strong backers, chief among them County Commissioner Dennis Moss.

Rumors have floated that the plan will cost $360 million and will host roller coasters and a Main Street with restaurants and museums.

But they're not entirely accurate. Voters are being asked if the county can choose someone to build on the site. No plan or amount of money is set in stone, though Moss notes that background on the ballot question includes a water theme park, hotel and family entertainment to be built with private money.

The $360 million figure is money the zoo gets for its 20-year master plan. Included in that is $87 million of money from the General Obligation Bond that passed in 2004 that would go to Metrozoo for infrastructure improvements.

The county's parks department and Metrozoo say passing the referendum would not increase taxes or affect the reserve but would create jobs.

''Water parks boost occupancy rates,'' Moss said.

Like Magill, Moss maintains he will not let the environment suffer at the expense of development.

''We have no intention of touching the pine rockland. There's the possibility of purchasing the rockland reserve [from the federal government] to maintain it, as well,'' said Moss. ``I'm not supporting anything that would damage the environment.''

Another booster is former county manager and now Zoological Society board member Merrett Stierheim. He calls concerns about harming the environment an ``extraneous issue.''

Stierheim notes the ballot question tells voters that profits from the development would go toward operating the zoo and for area conservation.

''We're not building on pine rocklands, we're building on an unused parking lot,'' he said. ``The zoo always struggles for marketing and operating dollars. A family attraction next to the zoo would attract people. Then it wouldn't just be a question of going to the zoo and going home.''

The reserve just north of Southwest 152nd Street and west of 117th Avenue is home to the rare deltoid spurge and the tiny polygala, declared endangered two decades ago.

Much of the original pine rockland in the area was destroyed decades ago. Housing for the Coast Guard is there now, and there are plans to build faculty homes for the University of Miami on part of the reserve.

Despite county protections, what remains of the pine rockland, according to a study done by Bradley, is less than 2 percent of its original size, mostly due to illegal clearings by builders, speculators and homeowners.

POSTING METROZOO RENDERINGS IN A MINUTE FOLKS BUT HERE IS SOME INFO FOR YOU

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4876/introsx7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8700/thematicorganizationps1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/2098/narativewb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/6752/animallistaz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/6982/shotcretephotosvf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/6145/siteplansmv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

AMAZONIA FLOODED FOREST EXHIBIT

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/5748/amazoniafloodedforestexyg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CLOUD FOREST JAGUAR EXHIBIT

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/8426/cloudforestjaguarexhibilr4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

MATTA ATLANTICA GIANT RIVER OTTER EXHIBIT

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/8152/mattaatlanticagiantriveva7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2767/modelstq6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)





VOTE ON NOV 7TH

TO VIEW VIDEO CLICK BELOW

http://stream.miamidade.gov/content/MDTV/Zoo_Referendum_email.wmv

http://stream.miamidade.gov/content/MDTV/Zoo_Referendum_high_res.wmv

Isn't the tropical Rainforest under construction already?

Excellent Images BTW RX, I may borrow a few of them...

Thanks!

Toucano the source is wwww.jonesandjones.com


http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4098/plantlist01nh6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5821/plantlist02np3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2536/plantlist03vh7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1627/plantlist04sj2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Very important to vote yes to allow the zoo development.

Few people realize how important a zoo Miami MetroZoo is. It is considered one of the twenty foremost zoological parks in the world, despite it's less than stellar attendence figures, and is the second largest zoo in the US in terms of land (after San Diego Wild Animal Park). It already has a world class animal collection, and these improvements will make it a world class facility.

Excellent posts Rx!!!! keep up the good work!

Oh snap...An otter named Tucano died at metrozoo today (http://www.local10.com/news/13691638/detail.html)...

I've never seen anything with my user name...seemed odd enough to share....

Why is this news clip sorta of funny yet sad? It's so strange. Poor otter... :(

Oh snap...An otter named Tucano died at metrozoo today (http://www.local10.com/news/13691638/detail.html)...

I've never seen anything with my user name...seemed odd enough to share....

Toucano:) , My Master and Friend,
I'm glad your still alive and well:banana: .
" Live Long and Prosper " my master:cheers:

p.s. I'm sorry for poor ole Tucano, the zoo otter,
may God Bless his way to " Animal Heaven "

So what's the update on the zoo?

Plans for water park, family center near completion

By Lou Ortiz
Plans for private developers to invest up to $40 million in a water theme park and family entertainment center at the Miami MetroZoo are nearly complete, officials say, with county commission action due this month.
"This builds an additional economic engine in the community," said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss, who is leading the effort for the developments. "This is something that I've been working on for a long time."
The water park and family center would rise in a parking lot at the zoo that totals 43 acres. Twenty-three acres would be used for the water park and 20 for the family center, which could also include a hotel.
The county would lease the land to one developer for both facilities or two developers that would each take on one project, officials said.
An initial draft plan for the water park calls for rides that feature slide towers, a wave/surf pool, family raft rides, a water coaster and an interactive play area.
Plans also call for the water park to host special events and activities and shows.
"It's very exciting," said Howard Gregg, assistant director for the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department.
He said both proposals would help drive up the zoo's annual attendance, now about 600,000.
The county expects investment in the water park to be $22 million to $25 million, said Mr. Gregg, adding that 500,000 persons are projected to visit the park annually.
For the family center, annual attendance is projected at 185,000, with an expected $10 million to $15 million investment, Mr. Gregg said.
"This would be totally developed by a private developer," Mr. Moss said. "The county might assist with infrastructure [funding] assistance."
He said since the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which destroyed parts of Homestead, Florida City and Miami, he has been trying to find a way to bolster the local economy.
Andrew caused $30 billion in damages, left 250,000 people homeless and damaged or destroyed 82,000 businesses in at least two states. About 100,000 people left Miami-Dade permanently.
The damage figures include destruction in Louisiana after the hurricane made its way into the Gulf of Mexico and then made a beeline for that state's coastline.
"You have to go from a vision to implementation," Mr. Moss said, "to create destinations to bring people in so they'll spend money. That's what the long-term aim is."
He said the proposed developments would increase tourism, create jobs and help local restaurants grow. The revenues generated by both facilities would go to maintain the zoo.
"You create synergy," Mr. Moss said. "One day people go to the zoo and the next day to the water park. The zoo touts the water park and the water park touts the zoo."
He said he hopes the developments become so attractive and popular that people going to Disney World in Orlando would make a side trip to Miami to visit the new park and center.
Mr. Gregg said a request for proposals for the water park will go to the county commission's Recreation & Cultural Affairs Committee this month.
A similar proposal for the family center could go to the same committee "within the next couple of months," he said. "It's going through last-minute reviews."
The draft proposal for the water park calls for the developer to sign a 20-year contract, with a county option to renew it for two additional five-year periods.
Design for the water park would include "water conservation through engineered solutions for water re-use, water reclamation and aquifer recharge" to maintain "a high quality of water within the system and is ecologically sensitive," the proposal says.
Shared parking for the developments would remain under control of the zoo. The water park proposal calls for 605 spaces.
Each project would require approval of the 13-member county commission after committee review and approval.

http://miamitodaynews.com/news/080403/story4.shtml

So what exactly is a "family center"? Do they mean a Disney, Busch Gardens, Universal style theme park? I can't see how considering they only see it getting 1/3 the attendance that the water park would get. So what the heck is it?

^^Maybe someplace childless couples could rent a kid for the afternoon (discounted for brats)? :lol:

Put-Put golf, a playground, etc, from what I understand

•The Adventure theme park would include Florida and Caribbean themes, rides, a central volcano island and lake. Construction costs are estimated at $200 million with an annual operating budget of $66 million and 3,883 new permanent jobs.
What happened to this?!?!

Very nice news, should be a huge boost for Miami MetroZoo. My question is, when is this supposed to be completed?

Metrozoo plans for entertainment center, water park and hotel sliding along

By Risa Polansky
With lingering land-use issues cleared away, plans for an entertainment center, 23-acre water park and 200-room hotel at Miami Metrozoo are sliding forward.
The park could be open within three years.
Miami-Dade commissioners last week unanimously approved land-use changes to zoo property, clearing the way for the county to seek contractors to develop the complex.
Plans for the water park call for rides that feature slide towers, a wave/surf pool, family raft rides, a water coaster and an interactive play area.
Last week's vote was "huge," said Commissioner Dennis Moss, who has led the push to develop. "We had to get past this. We couldn't move forward with an RFP (request for proposals) until our land-use issues were resolved."
A request for proposals for the water park portion should be advertised within 30 to 45 days, said Kevin Asher, supervisor of special projects for Miami-Dade's Park and Recreation Department.
Those for the entertainment center and hotel should follow shortly after, he said, though the date is unknown.
The projects must be spaced out slightly to facilitate smooth construction, Mr. Asher said, predicting all could be complete within four years.
The county plans to either lease the land to one developer for both the water park and entertainment center or to two developers to handle one project each. Developers are to be responsible for project costs, including improving public infrastructure, and are expected to invest up to $40 million.
The county would be on the hook only for signs, and road and parking improvements, set to be covered by general obligation bonds.
Paving the way to pinning down the contractors, commissioners agreed to change the designation of 170 acres of zoo land from Parks and Recreation to Miami Metrozoo Entertainment Area.
The county proposed such changes to the Florida Department of Community Affairs last year — the state considers Metrozoo a "development of regional impact" and has oversight authority — but the department in October asked for tweaks to the application, including adding intensity standards.
The county agreed to a revise to a maximum floor area ratio (the ratio of a building's floor area to the land it sits on) of .3 for the water theme park and .4 for the family entertainment center and hotel.
The state planning agency asked the county also to identify percentages of use for the project's elements. The hotel component is to comprise no more than 40% of the project.
Updated documents require a 2021 completion. Until then, the land is to be protected from down-zoning.
Mr. Moss said the entertainment center and water park should be done well before then.
"It's going to be completed earlier," he said, citing a two- to three-year timeline. "That's our goal, that's what we're pushing for."
To ease residents' concerns of how the massive development could affect the community, Mr. Moss assured that "there's no move to take anybody's property or to dislocate any of the residents" to build the 170-acre project and its planned 1,000-plus parking spaces.
Added Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, "Parks like this one deter crime in the community."
She said also that neighbors have welcomed the City of Miami's new Grapeland Water Park, which is closer to homes than the planned zoo expansion.
Commissioners lauded the zoo project and swiftly voted to move it ahead.
"All the great cities of the world have great zoos," Javier Souto said.
Joked Katy Sorenson, "Disney World will be nothing compared to Dennis (Moss) World."


http://miamitodaynews.com/news/080710/story4.shtml

This sounds great, in the end I just hope it turns out succesful and not to something with low attendance. Hopefully not because it sounds like a great project.
Just one question, what the heck is the entertainment center?

http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2008/08/25/daily21.html

Amazon and Beyond to open at Metrozoo

South Florida Business Journal

If you think you’ve seen everything at Miami’s Metrozoo, think again. There’s a new exhibit on the way.

Amazon & Beyond is set to open Dec. 6.

The 27-acre, $50 million exhibit will include 600 animals from the region, including giant river otters, jaguars and anacondas.

The Fiesta Plaza will feature artifacts from Central and South America. A cloud forest will house hummingbirds, butterflies and howler monkeys.

The consultant firm that designed the exhibit is the Seattle-based Jones & Jones Architects, which designed portions of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The general contractor is PCL Construction Services.

The exhibit also was developed with advisers from Conservation International, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the World Wildlife Fund.