Providence, RWP Zoo announce 20-year agreement

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO and city of Providence have signed a 20-year lease and operating agreement.
ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO and city of Providence have signed a 20-year lease and operating agreement.

PROVIDENCE – Roger Williams Park Zoo and city of Providence have signed a 20-year lease and operating agreement.
The agreement for the zoo, which is owned by the city and managed by the Rhode Island Zoological Society, will ensure that the park will be able to remain open and receive funding through the society as well as donors.
Through the agreement, the city will save more than $9.5 million over the 20-year period through lower payments for zoo utilities and society management as the society will gradually absorb those costs.
“The 20-year term provides us an assurance of long-term stability and commitment,” Jeremy Goodman, executive director of the society and zoo, said in a statement. “This is essential to enable advanced planning of and to carry out all phases of the new master plan.”
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza said in a press release that he sees this agreement as “mutually beneficial for both groups.”
Veterinarian technicians and union animal trainers will still be considered city employees, and the society will ensure that the park is well-maintained, the press release said.
“This new lease allows the Rhode Island Zoological Society to continue managing operations, while ensuring that our zoo remains a destination for Providence residents and visitors,” Elorza said.
Funding also will be put towards investing in new exhibits and improvements to ensure that the zoo’s quality does not decrease.

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