Site work, paving and renovation of a mixed-use development in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Completed plans call for the renovation of a recreation facility; for site work for a recreation facility; sidewalk / parking lot; and for paving for a sidewalk / parking lot.

https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/02/06/zoological-society-reaches-adventure-africa-goal.html Feb 6, 2023 The Zoological Society of Milwaukee has raised its share of the over $50 million Adventure Africa campaign, which will transform 25% of the Milwaukee County Zoo's footprint. The Zoological Society was responsible for raising $27 million. Milwaukee County would fund the balance. The Zoological Society is the nonprofit organization with a mission to raise funds to conserve wildlife and the environment and support the Milwaukee County Zoo. The Zoological Society does not operate the zoo, but it is responsible for the Zoo Pass membership program. The zoo is operated by Milwaukee County. In May 2022, the Zoological Society shared it had just $1.25 million to reach its Adventure Africa fundraising goal. In late January, the society's president and CEO Jodi Gibson said the Zoological Society had achieved that amount and would now keep the campaign open if individuals wish to continue giving to support the project and the zoo. The total amount fundraised so far was $27,065,586. The Adventure Africa campaign includes three phases, two of which are completed. The first phase was the renovation of the elephant exhibit, completed in 2019. The second phase was the new Hippo Haven exhibit, which opened in 2020. The third phase is the renovated rhino exhibit that will also include renovations to the indoor areas of the African animal exhibits, including the hippo exhibit, to allow for accessible viewing year-round. Once completed, Adventure Africa will be the largest physical change to the Milwaukee County Zoo since 1961. The Milwaukee County Zoo's director Amos Morris said the zoo kicked off the planning and design of the rhino exhibit at the beginning of February. That will give the zoo a better understanding of what that exhibit will actually look like and the costs needed to achieve it. Morris did not give an expected construction date for the third phase of the project. Though Morris echoed the sentiment shared throughout all industry -- just how high construction costs currently are -- he did say he hopes the numbers will level out to make it easier to construct the third phase of the Adventure Africa campaign. While the zoo continues to transform its overall footprint, Morris said it is also tackling the "low-hanging fruits," which include improvements to signage, pathways, railings, roofs and HVAC systems. These tend to be deferred maintenance items, Morris said. The zoo is looking to go up for accreditation in 2024, and taking these steps now will make the process go more smoothly, Morris added. The zoo is also currently in the process of developing a new strategic plan and master plan refresh. Morris said this will help the organization identify the next goals and needs for the facility, including a possible update to its mission statement. "We're looking at the zoo holistically and trying to match our initiatives with a business plan, so we can actually carry them out and be successful and be realistic," Morris said. "We do want to have some wow ideas for exhibitory to set off a new campaign for developing the zoo, so we'll be laying those out for the future, probably this year in 2023." The Zoological Society, too, has ambitious goals for 2023. Its board of directors recently approved a budget for the 2023 fiscal year. Gibson shared in 2020 the revenue expectations were about $11.8 million but dropped to about $7.5 million because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the society is back at $12 million for an operating budget "Additional funds are raised for capital projects, but I think that I am able to say we've fully rebounded and are now at or exceeding some of our Covid levels. That's really a testament to the community and the continued support that we receive from corporations, foundations, individuals and families alike," Gibson said. "I think we're in a good position, but that really is reflective of how committed people are to the Milwaukee area and our region." ______________________________________________________ The Milwaukee County Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Milwaukee County Zoo, and the Zoological Society are requesting proposals from qualified providers for Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) services to assist and support the design and construction of the Adventure Africa Phase III - Rhino Exhibit Project. The renovation to the Pachyderm Complex will have interior and exterior components and include the following: Former Elephant Exhibit Two Existing Rhino Exhibits Former Tapir Exhibit Former Asian Black Bear Exhibit Mall Area between east and west Pachyderm Building Main Pedestrian Trail Component The current project budget for the Rhino Project is $10,902,100. An appropriation of $902,100 is budgeted to begin the design phase. This project has an estimated cost of $10 Million for construction. Notify Selected Consultant January 2023 Schematic Design (SD) Package Due April 2023 Projected Start of Rhino Project Construction Spring 2024 Projected Rhino Project Construction Completion Summer 2025 Milwaukee County reserves the right to request partial or full reimbursement from consultants for change orders resulting from errors and omissions in the services they are contracted to provide.