Nay Aug Zoo getting 10 million in State funding (Scranton, Dunmore: construction, university)

[scrantonluna]

Anyone read today's paper? Check out the State Senate bill article on Scrantontimes.com The highlights would be:

"In the bill, some RACP projects for Lackawanna County include: Nay Aug zoo renovation, a new University of Scranton science center and athletic complex, Lackawanna County Courthouse redevelopment, a new film production studio tied to actor Paul Sorvino’s venture, a new Dunmore fire station and West Scranton revitalization project construction."

And...

"Nay Aug Zoo renovations: $10 million"

Is this due in part to my efforts? Part of me would like to say yes, as I sent out a volley of letters at the start of this year to just about every elected official I could think of, and the continued work I have done with the members of Leadership Lackawanna has only reinforced that. In the end if all the hard work that we have done over the past few months has only served to keep this cause in the general consciousness and helped keep it on the radar, then we have done our job.

[CHS89]

Here's another highlight:

Authorization doesn’t necessarily mean a project will get state money. It amounts to a wish list of projects for which the governor later can choose to release money.

The projects’ fates are subject to the governor’s decisions and the amount of money available.

[mbs7]

Thanks, Scrantonluna, for the update. And thanks CHS89, for the clarification.

All I have to add is that if they do get the money, I hope that:

1) Whatever animal facility results will be managed wisely and humanely;

2) No new facility will be built without planning for the future of the facility. It is very important to set up some sort of steady funding stream for ongoing maintenance of the zoo (or sanctuary). Without that, any new facility will soon be in bad shape.