Incarnate Word, Zoo in Turf Battle! (San Antonio, Anton: universities, to live, campus) - Page 6 - City-Data Forum

MdTexas · 03-10-2010, 12:10 PM

Would the Zoo not have these types of financial difficulties if MORE people went to the Zoo?

I know the economy isn't great, but I am just pointing out that the "Zoo Lovers" who are opposed to UIW building on that land probably rarely frequent the Zoo. I am sure some of you go to the Zoo, but not everyone does. How many times have you all been to the Zoo this past year?

I know it will be crowded for Spring Break!

Maybe if they did construct whatever they have been planning these past 40 years or so then more people would frequent it. But as of now, I think UIW would be more appropriate in this situation especially in this economy.

RGJ · 03-10-2010, 12:46 PM

Maybe they would let me lease the land for $22,000 per year. I would open a business that may help some of the students with their tuition, books, etc. I would promise not to build any ugly parking garages or similar. It would be a smallish building with some neon lights on the outside, a couple of stages. Oh, it would have a shiny new pole from floor to ceiling in the center of each stage.......

Since they are practically giving away city land for private use....Hmm, maybe there's some land around Hemisfair Plaza or Mission Reach south I could use....

catriona · 03-10-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MdTexas

Would the Zoo not have these types of financial difficulties if MORE people went to the Zoo?

I know the economy isn't great, but I am just pointing out that the "Zoo Lovers" who are opposed to UIW building on that land probably rarely frequent the Zoo. I am sure some of you go to the Zoo, but not everyone does. How many times have you all been to the Zoo this past year?

I know it will be crowded for Spring Break!

Maybe if they did construct whatever they have been planning these past 40 years or so then more people would frequent it. But as of now, I think UIW would be more appropriate in this situation especially in this economy.

"Zoo Lover" here. Used to go many, many times a year when the kids were younger, not so much now that they are older. However, have been once this year so far, will go again during Spring Break and have had zoo family membership for the last 17 years.....

Looks like the largest revenues come from admissions, concessions, contributions, memberships, government grants and special events, in that order. I thought they received tax funding from the city, too... Check their latest financial statement online:

http://www.sazoo-aq.org/general/zooannualreport.pdf (broken link)

The city had an agreement of some sort with the zoo. To negate that without good reason is just not right. If this land is part of the master plan for the zoo, then it needs to be left in there. According to what I read, the zoo does have a plan for that land, so just let it be. IWC --oops, showing my age, UIW can find somewhere else to build their art gallery and fine arts building. Why not go after Central Market? LOL - easy answer, they probably could not afford it. Easier to go after park land. Sorry, I would still say NO to UIW getting its hands on that land.

MdTexas · 03-10-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catriona

"Zoo Lover" here. Used to go many, many times a year when the kids were younger, not so much now that they are older. However, have been once this year so far, will go again during Spring Break and have had zoo family membership for the last 17 years.....

Looks like the largest revenues come from admissions, concessions, contributions, memberships, government grants and special events, in that order. I thought they received tax funding from the city, too... Check their latest financial statement online:

http://www.sazoo-aq.org/general/zooannualreport.pdf (broken link)

The city had an agreement of some sort with the zoo. To negate that without good reason is just not right. If this land is part of the master plan for the zoo, then it needs to be left in there. According to what I read, the zoo does have a plan for that land, so just let it be. IWC --oops, showing my age, UIW can find somewhere else to build their art gallery and fine arts building. Why not go after Central Market? LOL - easy answer, they probably could not afford it. Easier to go after park land. Sorry, I would still say NO to UIW getting its hands on that land.

I enjoy the Zoo myself. I am just pointing out that the Zoo maybe could have developed this land faster if more people would frequent it often. Buying memberships and everything else you said is what "Zoo Lovers" should do to help out. I don't know if that would help though if funds come from somewhere else.

Like I said there are new developments that have recently opened such as the Africa Phase and more. I am curious to see what else they had in mind for the future land that is titled as a "dump".

majormadmax · 03-10-2010, 12:57 PM

The SA zoo's annual attendance exceeds 850,000, I think that is a significant number of visitors (over 2300 a day).

But the most important factor to remember is that the zoo is open to everyone, whereas anything UIW would do to the land would have value only to a limited few.

However, the bottom line is that the city has an agreement with the zoo, and it needs to stand by its commitments.

And as dvlpr pointed out, the land belongs to the citizens of San Antonio, and should be utilized to their benefit.

It appears over 83% of those that voted agree!

Cheers! M2

Buffyfan · 03-10-2010, 04:00 PM

UIW wants to build a new fine arts building on the land??? I was a music major who would LOVE to see a new, updated fine arts center for my fellow musical cardinals/crusaders. wow...that would help bring in new talent to my alma mater. Sorry guys! I'm biased on this one!

Buffyfan · 03-10-2010, 04:02 PM

And furthermore...(I know I'm not very popular on this particular board) But a new fine arts center would be beneficial to the city just as much as expanding the zoo. More concerts and art exhibits for our city.

dvlpr · 03-10-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffyfan

And furthermore...(I know I'm not very popular on this particular board) But a new fine arts center would be beneficial to the city just as much as expanding the zoo. More concerts and art exhibits for our city.

Municipal Auditorium is currently undergoing a $132 million dollar renovation. It will be a world-class facility. So I think we have the fine arts thing covered.

Don't misunderstand. I'd love to see UIW build an arts center. And I might even support that happening somewhere in Brackenridge Park. But we (the city) should decide under what terms we'd allow such a thing to happen.

Buffyfan · 03-10-2010, 04:50 PM

That's great Municipal is undergoing a million dollar renovation! But, I would personally LOVE to see a beautiful fine arts center at my alma mater.

Why not get some UIW talent to perform at this newly renovated Municipal Auditorium, eh?

Buffyfan · 03-10-2010, 04:57 PM

Oh, by the way. This possible fine arts center is exciting to me because UIW president Agnese was talking about getting rid of the arts altogether at the school. I wonder why he had a change of heart? He discontinued the ballet program which had the Joeffry ballet in residence at the college if I remember correctly.