City Council member Paul Cunningham recalled Tuesday that when he went to the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Convention Center as a kid, he thought it was the coolest place.
Then as an adult he learned about the barrio that was razed to make room for it, and of the lingering resentment about the TCC.
“I don’t want the zoo’s expansion to suffer the same fate,†he said.
"A weather event can always be exciting for the elephants, but a first snow is always special for a baby elephant," said director of zoological operations Sue Tygielski. "Penzi took the snowflakes as a cue to play in the stream and slip and slide in the mud. Even her older sister, Nandi, could not resist a roll in the mud on a snowy day." Video courtesy of Reid Park Zoo, taken on Jan. 26, 2021
It won’t, it appears, since the council voted 6-1 Tuesday to suspend the contracts for the zoo’s expansion for 45 days.
This is all, of course, about the 3Æ’ acres of Reid Park that the city agreed to hand over to the zoo, only for a late wave of public protest to arise in the months before construction was to begin in coming weeks.
The expansion is paid for largely by a one-tenth of one cent tax increase that city voters approved in 2017, but the expansion was never mentioned in the ballot issue.
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By suspending the contracts to reconsider the project, the council saved the Reid Park Zoological Society from itself. Responding to a call last week by Mayor Regina Romero to pause the project, the society’s chair sent a letter to her and the city manager on Sunday that oozed with entitlement and grievance.
“A ‘pause’ by the city now would not be in good faith, not in the best interests of the larger community, and probably is not legal,†society chair Shane Burgess wrote in the letter.
It was an absurd assertion. Of course, as is typical, the city had included conditions for canceling or suspending the contracts with the designers and lead construction company in the contract. City Attorney Mike Rankin spelled out the terms and costs at Tuesday’s meeting.
But Burgess was ambitious and didn’t leave it there. He called out Romero individually as having supported the zoo’s master plan in 2018 and warned that “state audits and litigation†will result from a pause.
“Do not let Pathway to Asia become the next Rio Nuevo debacle,†he wrote.
He was not only overstepping bounds with the comparison but making a faulty comparison. The better comparison than Rio Nuevo to this project is the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Convention Center.
It’s another case of the powers that be trying to push through a project in spite of a groundswell of resistance. The result, if the expansion went ahead without a pause, would hurt the zoo for many years.
The city, too, would suffer. The tax that is paying for the expansion passed by just 633 votes, a margin of less than 1%. The ballot said it was “to fund capital improvements, operations, and maintenance at the Gene Reid Park Zoo, and providing for free zoo admission for reserved school groups.â€
It did not say anything about an expansion, certainly not into an area many ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans cherish, a rare hill with mature trees overlooking a pond filled with waterfowl.
Burgess’ letter is passionate and wrong on many fronts, most importantly starting with the first sentence: “The Pathway to Asia/World of Play construction project was approved by the Mayor and Council in 2018 as part of the Zoo Management Agreement.â€
It is questionable, believe it or not, whether the zoo master plan was formally approved at all.
On Oct. 9, 2018, the council approved a detailed management agreement with the zoological society. The master plan was included as an exhibit to the agreement but it was never explicitly approved on its own.
That’s different from the last time the City Council approved a new zoo master plan. On June 18, 2013, the council discussed the zoo’s master plan specifically at an afternoon study session. That night, the council approved it as part of the consent agenda at a regular council meeting.
Even City Manager Michael Ortega seemed to acknowledge that the 2018 master plan itself wasn’t explicitly approved by the council. In a Jan. 29 letter to the council, Ortega wrote: “Finally, on October 9, 2018, at a publicly noticed Regular Session meeting, the Mayor and Council approved the Management Agreement, which included as an Exhibit the 2018 Zoo Master Plan as finalized based on the described public process.â€
This is the basis of an open meeting law complaint filed by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ resident Wendy Sampson. Her conclusion: “The city got a tax, that’s it. No plan was ever adopted by the city.â€
Burgess warned the city of the damage to its credibility that might result from a suspension, but he seemed not to grasp the damage to the zoo’s reputation that would result from going ahead.
Thankfully, the council members have a longer memory. Karin Uhlich, newly returned to the council, said: “My hope is the zoo will emerge, along with the city, with something that won’t result in lingering resentments and conflict.â€
There are alternatives the city should explore in its short pause, which will cost around $100,000 in payouts to contractor Lloyd Construction.
Cunningham noted that to the east of the zoo, between it and South Randolph Way, are underused city buildings and parking lots.
“There’s other places we could go, including the very antiquated building right on Randolph Way,†he noted.
That, I think, is where attention should turn now: To the inefficiently used city properties east and north of the zoo. The city government may lose an underused building, but the public won’t lose any cherished open space.
80+ photos of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s baby elephant Penzi
Penzi

Penzi at almost a year old, weighing about 1,075 pounds.
Penzi

Penzi and Nandi spending time together.
Penzi

“She teaches us all to love and protect elephants,†said elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds, of Penzi.
Penzi

Although Penzi plays with Nandi the most, she's had good interactions with the rest of the herd. Pictured with Nandi here are Lungile and Semba.
Penzi

At 11 months old, Penzi is starting to get her tusks, her favorite food is cucumber and she still loves to play with her big sister Nandi.
Penzi

Penzi and Nandi are still close as ever, despite Penzi receiving etiquette lessons from Nandi in January.
Penzi

Penzi reached 1,000 pounds quicker than her sister Nandi.
Penzi

As a 10-month-old elephant, Penzi is starting to become more independent from her mom.
Penzi

Penzi continues to be social with the rest of the herd. This photo shows her with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Penzi

Penzi is now 10 months old and weighs 980 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Penzi

Penzi is now 9 months old and weighs 900 pounds.
Penzi

Penzi is pictured here with aunt Lungile and big sister Nandi.
Penzi

Now 9 months old, Penzi is still as close as ever with her big sister Nandi.
Penzi

At 9 months old, Penzi enjoys creating muddy slip-and-slides with big sister Nandi.
Penzi

Mapenzi — Penzi for short — was born to African elephant Semba on April 6. She joined sister Nandi, dad Mabu, brother Sundzu and aunt Lungile at the zoo.
Penzi

Penzi likes to find things around her habitat to interact with — food to eat, a log to balance on or toys to play with.
Penzi

Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi

Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi

Though she’s growing more independent, Penzi loves her playtime with big sister Nandi.
Penzi

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ elephant calf Penzi is now 8 months old and 815 pounds.
Penzi

Elephant calf Penzi was born in April and is now tipping the scale at 735 pounds.
Penzi

Lately, Penzi has been loving hay, leaves and tree branches.
Penzi

Penzi’s current hobbies include eating and keeping up with the rest of the herd.
Penzi

Reid Park Zoo
A pesar de su creciente independencia, Mapenzi está interactuando y socializando más con el resto de la manada.
Penzi

Reid Park Zoo
Mapenzi -Penzi para abreviar- nació del elefante africano Semba, el 6 de abril. Se unió a su hermana Nandi, su padre Mabu, su hermano Sundzu y la tÃa Lungile.
Penzi

Reid Park Zoo
A los seis meses, la crÃa de elefante Mapenzi se ha convertido en una gran aficionada a la lechuga, el pepino y el heno.
Mapenzi

Born weighing 295 pounds, Mapenzi has doubled that five months later, now weighing 600 pounds. The Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, reopened at the end of August.
Mapenzi

Mapenzi runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi picks up and chews on plants in her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, walks through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi (left), the four-month-old elephant calf, and her sister Nandi inside their enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, runs with the rest of her herd at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, gnaws on plants at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct,, on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, drinks water at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Four-month-old Mapenzi enjoys hanging out with big sister Nandi. "She wants to be attached and learning everything Nandi is doing," said Reid Park Zoo elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds. Â
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

This photo of Penzi was taken around her 4-month mark.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

At 4 months old, Mapenzi weighs 546 pounds. She enjoys eating beet pulp, which is the root of a sugar beet soaked into an oatmeal-like texture.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥an will be able to again see the Reid Park Zoo’s elephants and other creatures starting Aug. 28.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Penzi celebrated her 4-month birthday with her first dip into the mud wallow.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Mapenzi, born April 6, is very social with the other elephants in the Reid Park Zoo herd.Â
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Penzi continues to be timid around deep mud wallows but she has started to creep up to the side. Reid Park Zoo staff creates smaller puddles for her.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

At 3 months old, Mapenzi — Penzi for short — is learning to come when Reid Park Zoo keepers call her and has voluntarily allowed staff to draw blood without giving any reaction.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Penzi’s teeth have come in, so she’s been interested in eating bits of hay, grass and leaves. Her favorite food is lettuce.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Two-month-old Mapenzi can now put things in her mouth using her trunk.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is learning to cool herself down in the mud wallows, though she is still a bit cautious.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

At 1 month old, Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is starting to use her trunk more accurately.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, turned 1 month old on May 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Here's a shot of Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant, pictured with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.Â
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo

Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo

Shelby Maerling, left, and Savannah Beck, elephant care professionals, conduct their morning routine health checks on Samba, left, and Nandi, both African elephants, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo

Semba, an African elephant, walks around her enclosure at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex, height or weight of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo

Ann Forsberg-Doyle, a docent, keeps a watch on Semba, an African elephant, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Reid Park Zoo

Martha Hendricks, left, and Ann Forsberg-Doyle, both docents, keep a watch on Semba, an African elephant, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Reid Park Zoo

Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo

Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. With arm gestures, Maerling has Semba walk backwards. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo

Savannah Beck, a lead elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Nandi, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Nandi's mother, Semba, is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo

Martha Hendricks, a docent, records on a tablet that Semba, an African elephant, was eating at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.