Chihuahuan Desert exhibit at El Paso Zoo to cost $2 million more

The Chihuahuan Desert Habitat to be constructed at the El Paso Zoo is about $2 million over budget, according to staff at Monday’s Bond Advisory Committee meeting.

Staff cited the construction market and El Paso’s recent construction boom for the increase in price.

The project was slated for about $12 million. After construction bids came back, staff said the project would cost about $14 million.

To make up the difference, staff suggests postponing construction of the Andean Bear exhibit. That way, they won’t have to take away elements from the Chihuahuan Desert Habitat which will include a water feature, small animal exhibit, a botanical landscape, among other things.

The suggestion had some board members question whether postponing the Andean Bear exhibit would be a disservice to voters.

El Paso Zoo director Steve Marshall said the wording in the 2012 Quality of Life projects was “zoo improvement” and “Chihuahuan Desert”. He said they later brought to council a list of about 35 projects that were visualized in the master plan, one of which included the Andean Bear exhibit.

Board members voted to approve staff’s suggestion. That means it’ll go before city reps in February.