They want to tear the Aviary down.
The odd-shaped building in the Thompson Park Zoo was built in 1979 with a combination of city and state dollars augmented by funds from the Watertown Foundation (now the NNY Community Foundation).
It was a signature project for Mayor Karl Burns and part of an early effort to rebuild the zoo which by then was more than a bit run-down.
Years later a group known as the Thompson Park Conservancy came along and through fundraising and vision began taking the beleaguered and actually defunct zoo in a positive direction. Lots of improvements have been made and its the type of enterprise people enjoy giving to.
Last fall I was pleased to raise some $1100 in a Beers for Bears promotion in taverns and I am always happy to support projects like the WDT effort to raise money for the otter exhibit.
So, I was shocked when I read a letter from the Zoo-erarchy that the towering Aviary building lacked a "Wow" factor and should be demolished.
We've torn down a lot over the years because folks decided it was out of style, or not worth the effort to maintain. (A couple of years back, Councilwoman Burns says she recalls contributing to an Aviary fund drive.)
Let me speak some heresy and say this building does have a wow factor...It's a curiosity and for those of us with longer roots in the area, a part of history.
Ultimately, its a City asset and its disposition is the decision of the City Council.
Council plans a visit soon to the facility and we hope in the meantime the good folks at the Conservancy will reconsider their position and see this structure as something worth saving, just like the old DEC fire tower or the Superintendent's home.
31 comments:
What is exactly wrong with it? Can we put a price tag to it?
Right on target, Mayor. It has a 'wow" factor----change for the sake of change (especially in this economy) is outrageously irresponsible management of taxpayer $$$$$$$$.
I think the building is interesting, and is certainly better than a lot of the rundown junk left standing in Watertown and the surrounding areas. I don't get this one at all. Let it be.
Why tear it down? Its still in good shape and as said before, its a part of our history. Leave it alone and find something else to spend your money on!
From my own personal experience working at the zoo, there is nothing wrong with the aviary. So it's not exactly perfect in the shape and design for an aviary. It still accomplishes what it was meant for. There is a pond which with the proper pump system is perfect for ducks. Yes, it takes effort to drain the pond and clean it everyday, but that's what zookeepers are paid for.
There is nothing wrong with the aviary, and 3 years ago there was an aviary 500 club. Many people donated there money to help revamp the aviary. Now there were some signifacant changes done. Two owl holding areas were built in the back, the pond was dug out and restored, and a bridge was built. If you tear down this aviary, you are basically throwing away people's hard earned money who thought they were helping to restore it. Is this the message you want to send?
It can be whatever we decide it should be. If we leave it alone, it will become an eyesore, or worse. If we tear it down, it will be gone. If we want to make the zoo a place that people want to visit, an asset to the community, then we need to do what it takes to keep this building, improve it, and make it an attraction for folks to enjoy. I had not been to the park in years, and I visited once last year with family. I found it to be a very nice place to go, with lots to offer, and lots of potential. Sure, it can use some work, but that is always the case with things like this. The community just needs to decide what it wants, and then put forth the funds and the effort to make it happen. I vote to keep it.
I live in house that isn't very watertownesk and this aviary should be repaired to maintain this type of architecture. To many people in this town are scared of things that don't fit the north country norm.
I didn't read about the "why tear it down" of this proposal? Just because someone doesn't like it? It's any eyesore? Why - pray tell us.
Nothing new... Our elected officals and local people in charge are not the brightest.
I have a membership to the zoo . and every year i see it gaining blight ,
It losts its creditations and slowly slipping into the abyss.
They need to actually spend some solid dollars to get it back to its glory days.
All these plans for additions..and they let it slip up. I imagine the local community would pull through if there was a good plan!
Get our zoo back!!!
Here is a quote from Bob Gorman's April 2007 article in the WDT:
"Last summer, I helped the Watertown Daily Times sponsor the "Aviary 200" program, which put about $12,000 in the zoo's pocket."
How will people who donated (including me) feel about supporting a NYS Zoo project in the future if this project is destroyed just three years later?
I have a zoo membership. I go to the zoo with my wife and daughter on almost weekly basis. During our visits to the zoo the Aviary is one of our stops. We enjoy it very much. I feel "wow'd" during the stop there. Maybe not "WOW'D" but hey it's not the "BEST AVIARY IN THE WORLD". The thing is it- works. Why tear it down?
I am not clear on who the " Zoo-erachy " actually is, although it sounds like a group which either has deep pockets or who thrives off of other people's money. Like other posters, I do not recall any significant problems with this building. To raze a building under hard economic times, simply by the want of a select entity, is not only absurd, but fiscally ignorant.
In a weird, rustic, miniature way the aviary reminds me of the I. M. Pei pyramid at the entrance to the Leuvre in Paris. Like the Pyramide du Louvre, the aviary evidently is controversial, and like the Pyramide du Louvre, not everyone likes the design. That said, like the Pyramide du Louvre, the aviary has become a landmark in the City of Watertown and should not be torn down for the sake of change. As most of the other comments have pointed out, this is hardly the time to be whimsical about assets and donated money. Keep the aviary and continue to improve upon it, as well as the rest of the animal habitat at the zoo.
I'm starting to see at least two and possibly three members of City Council who are not wrapped too tight, or in Aviary terms:
"They are a few birds short of a full Aviary!!!"
It is ugly. Thirty years is not a historical building. Let's listen to the professionals. Let them make their case for it's removal. Many kids won't even go in. Certainly not twice. Kids love the zoo but not this eyesore.
I have been going to the Zoo my entire life. I now take my toddler. I go with friends, family and sometimes alone. I love our zoo. I do not feel ANYTHING should be torn down. If anything, things should be improved. The aviary is great, i think someone just may be being lazy and doesnt want to take care of it. I think who ever is in charge should get there butt in gear, get it cleaned up, get fresh water in there. And with that done, it will have the "wow factor" they are talking about. Our zoo is small. Im sure people from other states and cities dont say "wow" at any part of our zoo. But its ours and we love it. I would be upset if it was no longer there. Love my zoo, please dont demolish things!!
I loved the zoo many years ago when I was young. There were animals you couldn't see in your own yard. There is nothing thrilling or anything you can't already see driving around here? I never understood why the animals need to be local??? Wouldn't it be more exciting to see and learn about animals that you don't see on a daily basis?
I think they could start by getting the nasty turkey vultures out of there and put some real birds back in the Aviary. I went there last August and walked inside and was seriously horrified. It was like something out of a Hitchcock film! Seems like they were just soliciting donations for improvements to the Aviary not too long ago, how about putting some real birds back in there. If that's what they are going to have in there then go ahead and tear it down!
We didn't elect the politicians to decide on matters like this. Let the professionals decide.
The reason this building isn't drawing the kinds of crowds the Zoo might like isn't because of the building, but what's inside. It lacks "wow" because the Zoo doesn't care about it. Like other animal exhibits that may have lost their original draw (snakes/reptiles, nightime building with nocturnal animals, bridge and farm areas, butterfly house) it hasn't received the same attention as the favorite otters, bears, wolverines and therefore isn't one of the "nicer" exhibits.
The problem I see isn't the structure of the building but the structure of that Zoo-erarchy itself. The previous management had original ideas, the drive to see them to fruition, and the financial backing to do so. The current management doesn't care about accreditation, lacks any kind of vision for the zoo, and makes ridiculous moves like attepmting to tear down a building rather then using it to its' full potential.
One of the reasons there are no "real birds" in the exhibit is that the original design/construction of the exhibit was poorly done and the panels which create the sides of the exhibit are popping loose creating gaps that allow any bird or mammal smaller than a squirrel to enter and exit the exhibit as they please.
This is just another example of the lack of vision of current and recent management at the zoo. I've been a zoo member for a number of years and I see nothing but a continuous decline since Glen left. The current management seem more interested in beer party fundraising rather than the zoo itself and the community. The admission fee is too high. Many families cannot afford the cost to get in. Charge $2 for adults and let the children in free. This would attract far more people and many would buy food and gifts which would more than offset the reduced admission price. More importantly, it would become a community zoo again and not just a plaything for Watertown's elitists.
I'd like to know how many wolverines, grey wolves, mtn lions and canadian lynx you see every day driving around here? The zoo has great collection of 'local' animals because it's there to represent our area and create appreciation for where we live. Plus, most of those animals can't be found around here anymore, so where else are you going to see them? As for the aviary, I don't think they want to tear it down just to destroy it, but because there are evidently other things wrong with it which is making it difficult to keep it an asset vs. a sink hole. But if you all want to just keep throwing money into it, which isn't solving the problem, because it's "an icon", than go ahead. As for me I say tear it down if it doesn't work and give us something better for our money!
Keep the Aviary: Get rid of Smith, Macaluso, and Butler.
I have had the pleasure of visiting the NYS Zoo on numerous occasions. I have enjoyed each visit and have learned a great deal about the animals from the NYS Zoo staff. It's great to see and learn about wildlife that inhabit the northern regions. The past couple of years the zoo has updated many of the exhibits and has also brought new exhibits such as the river otter. This is really awesome! Our community should consider it a privilege to have such a special place.
The aviary is not historical but it is "dated" and in need of much repair. Personally, I feel that we should listen to Dr. Foster and his staff as they are the zoo experts and know best what is needed.
5:35 is right. Lets listen to the staff and at least hear more from them about why they are advocating tearing down the facility. These are not people who don't have the best interests of the zoo in mind.
This has turned into a feel good contest about a building that has likely outlived its usefulness and needs significant investment. Its really neat hearing all these people cry about saving "my aviary" or "my zoo", but maybe a little bit if thought is in order. This reminds me of that movie where everyone was raising money to save the clock tower. Dumb.
You folks have a beautiful zoo compared to the one here in Binghamton. I don't think you would want to tear down the aviary.
I agree with the very first comment. What is wrong with it? How much would it cost to 'repair' it if it needs it, vs. demolish and rebuild? If it were demolished it WOULD be rebuilt right? Where would the money for the rebuilding come from? Is there already a set of blueprints available for review of the replacement building? Would the job contract be available for bidding for the local contractors? Would it help sustain family incomes or would it cause the zoo to cut back in other areas, possibly firing some people?
Look at it from all sides before you make an action, ESPECIALLY in this economy. No one in America appreciates frivilous projects right now. Maybe have some 'focus' groups take a tour of the building (free of course!) and give their opinions at the end. ie. Elementary Age Schoolkids, Parents who enroll their children in activities which use the park in general as a place for meeting or swimming, Kids from neighboring towns, zookeepers from this zoo AND from nearby ones, the city council, adults from the area who were around there in the 70s, and those who WEREN'T. Get a broad cross cut of the very people that would be utilizing this building, maybe 5 people per group and see what you find out. You may find out that it just needs a few repairs and a fresh coat of paint, something you could surely get from a community group for free!
That said, I personally like the building, it is dated, but the structure itself draws my eye, it has interest, it's not some blah square building, and the side is all glassed/screened in, so it provides for some mystery to Ooo a jungle, INSIDE! I want to see!! Just keep it up on repairs and such, maybe slap on a fresh coat of paint and a mural, and as long as it has no major problems structurally, or which would be bad for the animals within, leave it be. Maybe focus on bringing NEW ANIMALS IN. Wow, concept there right?
Oh, by the way person with a membership who says it's falling into an abyss and losing accredidation... if that's so why is it on the list of Zoological & Aquatic businesses that I can get in free/discounted, and receive a discount in the gift shop on MY membership to the NC Aquariums? Hmmm. Do your homework before you start tearing things down and creating more debt and more problems. Something tells me either you have a BUNCH of credit card debt and 0 for a rating, or you're one of those fatcat bosses that the rest of us are stuck bailing out.
Oh, and unlike most of the rest of you, I'm not afraid to attach my name to this.
Oh Ashley, you're so brave to put your name on your letter. And you said such lovely things about our zoo.
Listen up. It's when people are attacking politically correct views that courage is required to post names. Telling us what you're telling us is goody stuff. Signing your name makes you look like a nice lady, which I'm sure you are.
You raise a lot of questions that I don't quite understand. But you do have one basic theme. If its for the good, spend the money. Thats fine. But you remind me of someone else who constantly sings that song. And he also cries about signing his name. You don't live on Harris Drive do you?
I grew up wandering the park as a child. Thompson Park is one of the greatest assets the city has... Those of us who remember the Zoo as it was, with lions and monkeys, know that it has come a long way. The aviary is a good attraction that could be improved in the future and certainly doesn't need to be torn down. Remember the Woodruff and train station, never should have been torn down. Without a plan and budget for something new leave the aviary alone.
So the zoo still doesn't have it's accredition in place??
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