Ecoplex

The Birmingham Ecoplex was a 300-acre "world class" zoological park proposed in the mid-1990s. The plans were developed by the Birmingham Ecological Association for a large tract of property owned by USX just southeast of Liberty Park near I-459. The $78.5 million project to replace the Birmingham Zoo never progressed beyond the master plan stage due to the inability of supporters to get funding commitments from Jefferson County and many of the region's separate municipalities.

Origins

The Ecoplex was proposed as a public-private venture by the non-profit Birmingham Ecological Association, headed by Rust International's Rodney Gilbert and developer Billy Eyster. Initially envisioned as a $35-50 million project for a "world class" zoo, the facility would replace the existing Jimmy Morgan Zoo at Lane Park. Zoo experts hailed the chosen site as an ideal setting and the master plan, created by CLRR, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was hailed as an example of a "4th generation" wildlife park, incorporating modern concepts for animal exhibits.

The process of forging cooperation among the scores of municipalities in the area was seen, early on, as the biggest challenge to the project. Alabama Power CEO Elmer Harris challenged regional leaders to work toward the greater good for the region, but many suburban mayors complained that they had enough budgetary challenges already. Conflict between cities, such as Birmingham's lawsuit challenging the annexation of Liberty Park by Vestavia Hills, also played a role in inhibiting cooperation. Private fund-raising was more successful, but perhaps divided as early commitments to what became the McWane Science Center were also being solicited.

The project had the backing of then-Birmingham mayor Richard Arrington, who pledged $20 million from the City of Birmingham (funds made available by the sale of the Birmingham Industrial Water Board). Other public funding was to have come from a $1 per resident contribution from area municipalities over a 25-year period. Hoover mayor Frank Skinner budgeted $45,000 for his city's contribution in 1994. The plan was derailed, however, after the Jefferson County Commission decided not to participate.

Opponents included the Cahaba River Society and the local chapter of the Sierra Club, who felt that the site, on the Cahaba River was too fragile to support such intensive development. Some residents of Redmont Park and Mountain Brook opposed the project out of fear of commercial redevelopment of the former zoo site. Those worried led the Birmingham City Council to formally dedicate scores of city parks that had never been officially dedicated. Others questioned the fact that the proposed park would actually exhibit fewer animals than the existing zoo.

Arrington later suggested building the ecoplex alongside the proposed Visionland amusement park in Bessemer or to a site alongside a proposed B.A.S.S. headquarters complex. Following the failure of the ecoplex project, efforts by the Friends of the Birmingham Zoo to upgrade and improve the existing zoo gained momentum. Some of the concepts for the ecoplex, such as an Alabama farm exhibit and open savannah space exhibiting several species in one area, found there way into redevelopment of the Lane Park zoo.

References

• "Group envisions "world-class" zoo. $35-50 million "ecoplex" sought near Liberty Park." (November 7, 1993) Birmingham News
• "Cooperation called big barrier to new zoo." (November 16, 1993) Birmingham News
• "Zoo planner sees many advantages to ecoplex plan." (November 17, 1993) Birmingham News
• "Zoo plan worries Cahaba backers" (February 9, 1994) Birmingham News
• "$750,000 raised to study plans for proposed new zoo off I-459" (February 15, 1994) Birmingham News
• "Plans call for new zoo to be first of is kind in world." (March 15, 1994) Birmingham News
• "Three experts laud plans for new zoo." (April 26, 1994) Birmingham Zoo"
• "Ecoplex: The hows and whens: Proposed new zoo's price tag grows to $78 million." (May 18, 1994) Birmingham News
• "Why a new zoo? Animals and visitors both would benefit, backers say." (May 19, 1994) Birmingham News
• "Eco-perplexity." (June 29, 1994) Birmingham News
• "County commission won't fund ecoplex." (July 7, 1994) Birmingham News
• "Cities wary about funding proposed zoo." (July 13, 1994) Birmingham News
• "Ecoplex wants to learn from San Diego arks. (August 3, 1994) Birmingham News
• "New zoo enthusiasts not fazed by lack of support." (September 21, 1994) "Birmingham News
• "Elephants will stay, polar bears may go." (October 12, 1994) Birmingham News
• "Mayor eyes park site for new zoo." (July 19, 1995) Birmingham News

External links

• Birmingham Ecoplex master plan at Ursa International