New Attractions Planned for Lake Superior Zoo

DULUTH - With the Lake Superior Zoo's main attraction, Berlin the polar bear, now gone, a proposal is on the table to improve the zoo experience."We've been talking about these concepts ever since the flood happened," said Duluth Mayor Don Ness.

City leaders say the Lake Superior Zoo did not receive enough funding after the historic flood of June 2012 to rebuild their facility and polar bear exhibit.

Losing the zoo's main attraction has decreased attendance and caused a $600,000 hole in their budget.

"If the zoo can't refresh their experience and have that primary draw that will bring people to the zoo, it becomes increasingly difficult for the zoo to sustain operations," said Ness. "I’m really concerned about our ability to sustain the status quo."

To reuse the polar exhibit space, rebuild their attendance and bring in cash flow, the city and zoo are teaming up to propose a supplemental flood relief bill to pay for two new attractions.

"Gives them a path to build a more robust experience at the zoo,” said Ness. “Kind of make up for the fact that they no longer have a polar bear."

The two concepts drawn up by the Zoological Society come with a $9 million price tag.

The vision includes a bear territory, "That would feature a number of different species of bear in one area," said Ness.

The concept would also include a new amphitheater.

"It can be used for public education and for concerts or movies in the park," said Ness.

Ness says with this legislation, session being shorter and so much going on at the capital it's been difficult to gain traction for the bill, but he remains hopeful.

"We think this is a path forward and hopefully we can gain support from the legislature," said Ness.

FOX 21 reached out to the Lake Superior Zoo and they had no comment.

The zoo receives about $600,000 every year from the city's tourism tax dollars. It is the largest recipient of any Duluth attraction to receive those funds.