Western lowland gorillas and a lemur skywalk are among the planned new features to go along with a new entrance to the San Antonio Zoo.
Zoo officials released images and a video Thursday showing what will replace the 1950s-era entrance at the park: one where visitors “will be immersed in the sights, sounds and rich culture” of the city.
Construction began in January and the new entryway is expected to open later this year. The project is one piece of the zoo’s long-term master plan and was first announced in November 2021.
Following completion of the $13 million project, gorillas will return to the zoo after a 33-year absence.
Renderings of the remade entrance show colorful landscaping and artwork created by local artists in the fiesta courtyard along with an outsized gorilla sculpture and overhead butterfly art.
The project is being funded by donations to the zoo, the 2022 municipal bond and funds from the Midtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, said a spokesman for the San Antonio Zoo.
The renovation is intended to improve the guest experience, infrastructure, safety and accessibility, stated the announcement. There will be a designated entrance for school groups, better pedestrian and traffic flow and improved access for those with disabilities.
The new lemur habitat will allow guests to view the wet-nosed primates up close through an overhead mesh tunnel system, similar to the National Zoo’s O-Line, an overhead passage that lets orangutans move from one building to another.
Speaking of apes, the zoo’s historic Monkey House and grounds also are being restored.
Used as a commissary when it was built in 1936, the building will be renovated and repurposed to include a plaza, cafe, stroller rental site and restrooms. The architecture and masonry will become the centerpiece of the new plaza.
During construction of the new entrance, the zoo’s ticketing system and entry and exits have been relocated to Kiddie Park, 3903 N. St. Mary’s St., and the zoo’s parking garage, 3501 Avenue B.
