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National Zoological Park Master Plan Status Report

Mr. Ripley reported that the revised Master Plan for the National Zoological Park (NZP) has received preliminary approval from the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). The plan, which emphasizes the landscape and the animals and virtually eliminates the visual impact of new architecture, is 85% complete. Final submittal to the CFA and NCPC is anticipated by July 1972. 

Anticipating final approval of the Master Plan, we have included in the fiscal year 1973 budget an item of $275,000 for the preparation of contract documents (working drawings and specifications) for the removal of the existing Lion House and the development of Lion Hill and related construction in accordance with the design of the Master Plan. This would be the first major implementation of the Master Plan.  With funding, this plan could have a construction start in calendar year 1973.

Currently under study by the architects (Faulkner, Fryer and Vanderpool and Lester Collins) and their consultants (De Leuw Cather and Associates) is the critical matter of automobile parking and traffic for the Master Plan. The present design provides for parking approximately 2,500 automobiles in a terraced configuration along the steep Rock Creek banks of the North Road through the Zoo and in underground spaces on the Zoo side of the North Road. This design also places the entire Operations and Maintenance facilities (shops, supply, commissary, and police) at the lowest level of this terraced parking along the bank of Rock Creek. A key item of this design is