SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This week, Governor Tim Walz finished unveiling his Local Jobs and Projects Plan, seeking to invest $2 billion in public infrastructure improvements across the state. In the proposal, the governor included $2.5 million toward improvements at the Como Zoo and Conservatory, including the design of a new orangutan habitat, as well as energy efficiency upgrades, including the replacement of systems older than 100 years.
Como upgrades are a high legislative priority for state Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), who plans to champion legislation to deliver the investments, and he applauded the governor for including them in his bonding proposal.
“Como Zoo is not just an asset for our community, but a treasured attraction for our entire state. With admission remaining free, it’s something truly everyone can enjoy and continued public investments are deserved,” Rep. Lesch said. “For decades, it’s served vital purposes for education, recreation, and conservation, and I’m proud Gov. Walz included it in his bonding proposal. Much like the success we anticipate with the new Sparky the Sea Lion exhibit, I can’t wait to see a new orangutan habitat funded with the help of a bipartisan bonding bill.”
The project includes expanded indoor and outdoor areas, including a new mesh-enclosed habitat while the popular moated portion of the exhibit will be maintained. These spaces would create much more opportunity for enhanced primate choice, activity, play, and movement, plus more flexibility for staff to manage the collection. The existing space was constructed in 1985. The total cost of the project is estimated at $15 million.
The zoo also recently conducted an energy efficiency audit and set an ambitious goal to reduce energy costs by 20 percent by 2022. To accomplish this goal, some of the campus’ systems that are over 100 years old need to be upgraded. The audit identified many inefficient operations within HVAC systems, lighting, and other building systems.
More than 2 million people visit Como Zoo and Conservatory annually.