As a child, going to the zoo seems magical and bewildering, like so many other childhood fascinations. However, unlike most of our adolescent interests, the zoo remains an enchanting place where our imagination meets reality.

With nearly 18,000 animals to see and famous attractions like the Zooline Railroad, the Saint Louis Zoo is the most popular local attraction and the second most popular attraction for tourists.

Hoping to increase their already prestigious reputation, the Saint Louis Zoo recently purchased the 13.5 acres of the old Forest Park Hospital Site, where it plans to expand in order to create research centers and lab space.

Purchased Oct. 5, 2012, this site will both expand the Zoo’s footprint and provide opportunity for the Zoo to grow and better serve the community and the preservation of wildlife.

Upon purchasing the land, the Zoo held an open house, marking the start of the six to eight-month process to create a vision and plan for the expansion.

With the help and input of the public, expansion plans are being revised and finalized.

The new land and the current location of the zoo are separated by I-64. However, with the help of Vector Communications, the Zoo plans to build a bridge connecting the two.

The expansion includes incorporating the zoo into the surrounding St. Louis area, with plans to build multifamily apartments and attached townhouses.

Although the expansion has not started yet, the Zoo is working to protect and improve the site.

Along with installing a 4,200 feet of fencing along the perimeter, Zoo security staff began routine, frequent patrols in March. Cameras have been installed to monitor facilities, and during busy times at the Zoo, employees park at former hospital lots to free up more than 200 parking spaces in closer lots for Zoo visitors.

After having 15 meetings with members of the Zoological Park Sub district Commission, the Zoo Association Board, the site planning committee and multiple government officials, the Board of Aldermen of the City of Saint Louis approved the Zoo’s concept plan for the site and revised the zoning to accommodate the Zoo’s use.

One contractor estimated repair costs for the site’s seven-level, 1980s-era parking facility at $2.9 million.  The rough estimate for rebuilding a parking structure of this size with its 567 spaces would be approximately $9 million.

While the land was purchased for the price of $18.9 million, the demolition and remediation brings its value down to $6.7 million. However, once the renovations are done and the expansion is complete, the value is expected to increase dramatically.

In addition to market value analyses, the Zoo employed a range of experts to review the condition of the site prior to closing.  These studies included geotechnical and environment assessments and analysis of drainage, flooding and seismic safety.

Information from: Susan Gallagher, Public Relations Director, and STL Zoo Press Release

Go to the official STL Zoo Expansion site: http://www.stlzoo.org/about/saint-louis-zoo-expansion/

To see an outline of the potential plans, go to: http://www.stlzoo.org/files/4713/1195/9975/STLZooMap2010.pdf

To see the inspiration and ideas for the expansion, go to: http://www.ksdk.com/news/photo-gallery.aspx?storyid=378479

To get more info about the expansion, go to: http://www.stlzoo.org/files/4713/1195/9975/STLZooMap2010.pdf