THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 26, 1995 TAG: 9501240092
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
The Norfolk Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to help expand and revitalize the Virginia Zoological Park. The zoo has begun a major expansion effort that should completely redesign the zoo over the next five years.
The money comes at a particularly needed time because the state funding the zoo has sought looks less likely under Gov. George Allen, who is seeking to cut state spending and taxes.
The Virginia Zoological Society, the private educational and fund-raising arm of the zoo, is seeking to raise $15 million to finance the expansion. The society had hoped to get a third of that from the General Assembly.
``It looks doubtful at the moment,'' said Margaret Falkiner, president of the Zoological Society.
If the state does not fund the zoo, that could slow the pace of the expansion, Falkiner said. But that would not stop it, she added. The zoo had developed a master plan and will continue to develop it. The first phase calls for construction of an African Plains exhibit.
Falkiner said the society has hoped for some state funding because the other major wildlife or nature museums or parks have received substantial state funding for their construction. That includes the Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach, the Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke and the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Falkiner said.
``We felt that the state would be favorable,'' Falkiner said. ``It appears it will certainly not be at the moment.''
But the governor is also interested in promoting tourism, Falkiner said, and helping fund the zoo would fit with that goal.
The governor also has proposed cutting the $30,000 the zoo receives annually for its educational efforts. More than 100,000 children visit the zoo each year, Falkiner said. The educational program helps teachers coordinate wildlife educational efforts with a visit to the zoo. The zoo provides teaching materials to every school south of Richmond, Falkiner said. About 500 children attend summer camp at the zoo.
Because the state money is only used for educational efforts, the elimination of this money will not affect the zoo's day-to-day operations.
Besides the zoo, the Norfolk Foundation also awarded grants this months to other groups around Hampton Roads. They include:
The Business Consortium for Arts Support. The grant is $230,000 for the 1995 South Hampton Roads arts fund and $30,000 in administration expenses. The consortium's grants help 32 area arts organizations.
Cape Henry Collegiate School in Virginia Beach. The $50,000 grant is payable over four years for library construction and equipment.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Monument Fund. The $15,000 grant will help construct the monument to the civil rights leader at Church Street and Brambleton Avenue.
Plumb Line Ministries. A $30,000 grant will help establish a permanent office for the organization, which develops affordable housing in Central Brambleton in Norfolk. by CNB