External renderings released by John Ball Zoo depict a large aquarium building featuring surrounding trails and a boardwalk path leading to the Grand River.
In a statement to WGVU, Zoo CEO Peter D’Arienzo wrote, “Research shows the aquarium will have a profound economic impact on West Michigan, attracting an estimated 1 million visitors in its first year and generating more than $3.4 billion in net economic impact during its first decade of operations. It will also generate more than $268 million in state and local tax revenue over 10 years.”
The zoo is currently eyeing a 191-acre site in Walker near Johnson and Millennium Parks. A portion of the property is the former Fenske Landfill. As a federally designated contaminated site, it would require cleanup. The zoo has an option agreement to purchase the parcel situated along the Grand River in the 2000 block of Kenowa Avenue Southwest.
The zoo hopes to have the aquarium project complete by 2031.
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