The Brownsville City Commission approved the $16 million purchase of Cummings Middle School on Tuesday for the expansion of Gladys Porter Zoo in order to prevent loss of the park’s accreditation.
Expansion will allow the zoo to keep species that would have been recalled due to not meeting the accreditation standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The authorization comes after inspections by the AZA identified several concerns that need to be addressed, according to Patrick Burchfield, executive director and CEO of the zoo.
Beginning in 2018, the AZA found that several animal areas needed significant improvements, expansions and demolition, according to Burchfield.
The accreditation commission at the time found many exhibits “lacked space and environmental complexity necessary to meet the sociobiological needs of large animals,” the director said.
Burchfield said a recent inspection revealed that some of the same concerns found in 2018 still needed to be addressed.
He said every facet of the zoo’s operations, such as financial, veterinary care and staff qualifications, also needs to meet the AZA’s standards.
“This will allow for the future of the Gladys Porter Zoo to remain the shining star here in the Rio Grande Valley,” Burchfield said.
The executive director also said a bigger facility is necessary for visitors, as another concern throughout the year is “overcrowding.”
A multistory parking garage is also included in the plan to alleviate the limited parking problem, Burchfield said.
For re-accreditation, the zoo must present progress by December 2024, according to the presentation.
District 3 Commissioner Roy De los Santos moved to approve the purchase and sale agreement with BISD, and District 4 Commissioner Pedro Cardenas seconded. The motion passed.
The commission also agreed to lease the Cummings building to the school district for three years until a new building is secured for the Career & Technical Education program.
Ramirez said. Venisha Colón/THE RIDER
The city calls it a “win-win” scenario for it and BISD, as it is offering to buy the Career & Technical Education land at its appraised value of $14.6 million. It will offer BISD an additional $1.4 million to assist in the relocation of the CTE.
City Manager Helen Ramirez said the city will lease the building back to BISD for $1 per year and also pay for utilities so the district can use the facility while CTE relocates.
The slide presented also stated CTE “will have the opportunity to obtain a new state-of-the-art facility for its existing programs.”
Cardenas asked when construction for the zoo expansion would begin. City Attorney Will Treviño said the project timeline spans three years with one-year renewals.
De los Santos moved to approve the three-year lease agreement and Villarreal seconded. The motion passed.
In other business, the city awarded a term contract to Mako Contracting LLC., for street, drainage and utility improvements on Old Hwy. 77 between Ruben M. Torres Boulevard and Morrison Road.
Construction time for the project is estimated to be 400 consecutive days and will start following “the issuance of a notice to proceed to complete the project.”
De los Santos moved to award the contract and Cardenas seconded. The motion passed.
Additionally, the commission approved an Asset Purchase Agreement with the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art.
The collaboration comes after the museum asked the city for operational support.
Assets being purchased include the building, the museum’s official name, website, logo, social media accounts, equipment, furniture and phone numbers.
The total funding, $581,176, comes from hotel and motel tax reserves and will also pay for the Skylight Replacement Project and the building’s outstanding mortgage.
De los Santos moved to approve the purchase of the facility and project, and Cardenas seconded. The motion passed.
