08-13-2007 Luecke pledges $1.4 million, long-term plan for zoo

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The city is responsible for the Potawatomi Zoo's total operating costs. In the last five years, revenue generated by zoo has ranged from one-third to one-half of the zoo's total annual operating expenses. In 2005 and 2006, total operating expenses reached $1.7 million, leaving a $900,000 deficit on average after revenue. The shortfall is covered by the property tax allocation to the South Bend Department of Parks and Recreation. At the same time, $1 from each gate fee, concessions purchase or gift shop sale is set aside for capital investments in the zoo. That totaled nearly $944,000 from 2002 through 2007. While the Potawatomi Zoological Society has underwritten many capital improvements and the creation of new exhibits, the City of South Bend subsidizes zoo society funding by making available free zoo passes that the society can sell as memberships. In a new partnership, the Zoological Society and the City in 2006 hired Terry DeRosa as the new zoo director. DeRosa, who has served as an AZA inspector in addition to his experience at major zoos, was hired to help Potawatomi Zoo meet the standards required to continue accreditation in 2009. At recent meetings, zoological society and zoo representatives also have presented ambitious Phase II and Phase III plans that could cost $15 million to enhance existing exhibits or create new animal experiences and adventures. Citing features of exhibits at the nation's premier zoos in much larger cities like Seattle, San Diego and Honolulu, zoological society representatives presented dreams for similar exhibits in South Bend. "Potawatomi Zoo is owned and operated by the City of South Bend and funded by city taxpayers. But the zoo is treasured by people from LaPorte to Lagrange and from St. Joseph, Mich., to Plymouth, Ind. We must build a broader base of support for this wonderful asset. South Bend taxpayers alone can no longer shoulder all the costs while so many others reap the benefits," Luecke said. "This zoo is a vital treasure for the region, has great potential to generate additional tourism and needs a new partnership to support its engaging and expanding vision." Citing the positive work done by zoo staff, the mayor noted that Potawatomi was the smallest zoo named in 2004 by Child Magazine on a list of the nation's Top 20 Zoos for Kids. The city zoo was first accredited by the AZA in 1987. In 2006, there were 214 zoos accredited with the AZA. (Fewer than 10 percent of USDA-licensed wildlife exhibitors are AZA-accredited.) But rising accreditation standards remain a challenge for smaller zoos. According to a Chicago Tribune report, many smaller, city-owned zoos are facing threats to their survival. In Wisconsin, the Racine Zoological Society has cut its staff by one-fourth, while the Municipal Zoo in Wisconsin Rapids reduced its funding by one- third. Closer to home, the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City cut its staff by one- fifth, according to the Nov. 17, 2006, report. "The City of South Bend has a responsibility to maintain a beautiful zoo for visitors and a safe place for keepers and animals. However with the looming impact of the Circuit Breaker, city taxpayers alone cannot make Potawatomi Zoo's exhibits and adventures rival those of zoos in cities many times our size," Luecke said. "That's why I'm creating this bipartisan community task force to look at expanding the zoo's base of support to fund a plan that is appropriate for a world-class zoo for a community of our size." Average zoo attendance nationwide increased 1.8 percent in 2006, according to a study by the Morey Group Inc. Potawatomi Zoo's attendance that year declined 14 percent to