COMMITTEE
SUBSTITUTE FOR RESOLUTION NO. 180659
Directing the City Manager to engage in discussions with Friends of the
Zoo, Inc., to identify all potential funding sources, both private and public,
for the purpose of constructing a new, world-class aquarium at the Kansas City
Zoo.
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Zoo Inc., the
operators of the Kansas City Zoo under an Agreement with the Board of Parks
and Recreation Commissioners, have developed
plans for a new $75 million salt
water aquarium exhibit to be located within the current Kansas City Zoo; and
WHEREAS, this project will leverage the use of the
1/8th cent Zoological District sales tax that is collected in Jackson and Clay
counties as well as significant private and philanthropic resources; and
WHEREAS, this project
will create a world-class, City-owned asset that will be a significant
additional economic generator for the City by
attracting new visitors both to the Kansas City Zoo and the City as a whole, which will result in
additional annual revenues to the City; and
WHEREAS, this project
will provide enhanced educational opportunities to all who visit, including
students at schools within the Zoological District who will continue to receive
free field trips to the Zoo and the new aquarium; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Zoo Inc., has requested a contribution of $7 million from the City of Kansas City to complete the financing
of this project and further
evaluation is needed to identify all potential funding sources to close this
funding gap; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL
OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the Mayor and Council hereby
recognize that a new saltwater aquarium at the Kansas City Zoo would bring
significant benefits to City and its residents and express their support for
developing a financial plan necessary to make this project a reality.
Section 2. That the
City Manager is hereby
directed to engage in discussions with the Friends of the Zoo Inc., the
operators of the Kansas City Zoo, under an Agreement with the Board of Parks
and Recreation Commissioners, for the purpose of identifying all potential
funding sources, both private and public, and developing a financial plan with
recommended funding options, which shall be submitted in a Report to Council
within sixty (60) days.