ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES ANIMAL HOSPITAL
AND PARKING DECK ARE IN DESIGN PHASE; OPENINGS PLANNED FOR SPRING
Animal Hospital Will Bring Turtle Back Zoo Closer to Accreditation;
Deck Will Alleviate Congestion and Solve Parking Shortage
at South Mountain Recreation Complex
West Orange, NJ – The construction of an Animal Hospital at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, the construction of a 500-car parking deck, and the expansion and upgrade of South Mountain Arena will continue the modernization of the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex and its transformation into a destination attraction, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced Wednesday, Aug. 13th.
“We are undertaking major capital improvements at Turtle Back Zoo, South Mountain Arena and the parking lot so we can turn the entire complex into a modern, first-class recreation and education center,” DiVincenzo said. The County Executive said the improvements will help make the Zoo and Arena more profitable by attracting more visitors and making the Zoo eligible for grant funding.
Turtle Back Zoo
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo will fulfill another requirement for accreditation from the American Zoological and Aquarium Association when the Animal Hospital is completed.
“Three previous county executives promised to build an Animal Hospital at Turtle Back Zoo and failed, wasting the time and money of Essex County taxpayers,” DiVincenzo said. “I am committed to having a hospital built because it will help us gain AZA accreditation and provide peace of mind to visitors that our facility meets the highest standards for animal care,” he said.
The 6,000-square-foot hospital will have modern medical equipment and various rooms to examine and care for the animals. Located on the northeastern section of the zoo, the hospital is scheduled to open in April 2004. It is being designed by Nicholas J. Netta Architects of Springfield, which received a $168,530 contract earlier this year.
The projected cost of the facility will not be calculated until after bids are received in September. Essex County is using a portion of a previously funded bond ordinance for park improvements to pay for the project.
Parking Deck
DiVincenzo was joined by Governor James E. McGreevey and Commissioner Jack Lettiere of the New Jersey Department of Transportation in June to announce that Essex County would receive a $6 million State grant to help fund the construction of a Parking Deck. The total project is projected to cost about $8 million and includes the construction of a 500-car parking deck, site improvements, reconfiguration of the existing parking lot, and traffic signalization and improvements to Northfield Avenue.
“Since the end of 2001, the number of commuters utilizing the park and ride at South Mountain Arena has increased by 170 percent. As a result, there are fewer parking spaces for visitors to the Arena and Turtle Back Zoo,” the County Executive said. “The parking deck will allow Essex County to provide safe and designated spaces for commuters and will free up space needed for visitors to the recreational sites. In addition, the improvements will address safety and congestion problems that exist from overuse of the surface parking lot,” he added.
The Newark firm of Gregory Comito and Associates is designing the parking deck and will be awarded a $499,376 contract. The parking deck is scheduled to be completed in May 2004.
South Mountain Arena
“Essex County’s South Mountain Arena in West Orange is a popular site that is suffering from overuse and age,” DiVincenzo said. “Improving conditions at the arena will provide a state-of-the-art facility for patrons and allow the County to expand the events for which the Arena is used,” he added.
Gregory Comito and Associates has prepared a two-phase plan for about $3.9 million to improve the two existing rinks, expand the facility and renovate the entranceway. Gregory Comito and Associates was awarded a $357,000 contract on April 11, 2001, to prepare this plan.
Phase I includes the total renovation to Rink 1 and Rink 2 with a 10,000-square-foot new addition. Exterior work in this phase includes masonry, roof, door, window, lighting, signage and HVAC repairs or replacements. Interior work includes the reconfiguration and renovation of existing interior offices, nurses’ station, locker rooms, bathrooms, press rooms and skate rental area to maximize space and increase efficiency. Additional space would be created for new locker rooms, bathrooms, storage areas and office space for arena staff and programming. Structural improvements will be made and the facility will be renovated to meet ADA requirements. A 10,000-square-foot addition will provide for a new entranceway and will house a new pro shop, skate rental area, food concession area, party rooms and administrative offices. The total projected cost for Phase I is $3,568,181.
Phase II will include an addition that will house new locker rooms and storage areas. This addition to be attached to Rink 1 will be 3,360 square feet in size. The total projected cost for Phase II is $344,000.
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