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Published - Friday, August 22, 2008

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As costs rise, EcoPark breaks ground today


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Myrick Hixon EcoPark will break ground on the new Hixon Forest Nature Center despite bids for the building coming in $360,000 over projected.

Newly appointed interim Director Jim Gallagher said the group is working with the contractor and architect to reduce some of the costs to within the planned $1.7 million budget.
Project leaders opened the bids late last week, Gallagher said, and were shocked to find the lowest bid at $2.06 million.

“We were just devastated,” he said. “For whatever reason, we thought the estimate was a pretty good estimate.”

In a few weeks, park leaders will review and choose from a list of substitutions, materials or other items to cut back on, Gallagher said.

Construction should start within a week or two and be completed about nine months later, he said.

Once construction of the nature center starts, Gallagher said he hopes to begin phase two of the EcoPark, which includes fundraising for the static and live animal exhibits.

Those exhibits call for $2 million, some of which already has been raised, Gallagher noted. Earlier this month the group announced it had raised $2.7 million of its $4.8 million goal.

“My hope is that during the nine months of construction we will be able to raise the money for the exhibits so we can move right into the construction part of phase two once the (nature center) is finished,” he said.

All exotic animals — including the adored but aging monkeys — already were relocated, leaving just a few members of the former zoo population.

Bears, deer, porcupines and bobcats in residence will become part of the new EcoPark, along with various nocturnal animals, underground dwellers such as groundhogs and badgers, and other native birds and animals.

The zoo closed to the public Nov. 15.

Gallagher, former executive director of the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center, recently was tapped to temporarily head the project after retired Madison Parks Superintendent Jim Morgan’s short stint at the helm.

Gallagher said that considerable time spent at the zoo as a child made the offer to help appealing.

“There’s a lot of competition for philanthropic dollars out there,” he added. “We really did need someone in here to keep things going.”

Samantha Marcus can be reached at (608) 791-8220 or smarcus@lacrossetribune.com.
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Myturn wrote on Aug 23, 2008 10:15 AM:

" Not bad. From a bunch of woman that play bunko in Wedgewood Valley. "

*PrivateSectorDoesIt Better* wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:49 PM:

" An EcoPark? You got to be kidding me! What a waste of money. What liberal nitwit thought this would be a good idea? I would get more enjoyment going to the other parks to watch native Wisconsin alcoholic drunks. "

Sully wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:47 PM:

" After looking around on the web I am sad to say that this Eco idea is becoming more and more popular. Perhaps we should build a museum and put a zoo in it. Soon it may be the only way kids will ever see a zoo. "

conscience? wrote on Aug 22, 2008 1:54 PM:

" I haven't been there for a few years, but I can't remember what animals were there to begin with that weren't local besides some snakes and the monkeys. What else was there? "

balanced budget wrote on Aug 22, 2008 11:34 AM:

" Anyone know who will be building this craptacular mess? "

Native wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:45 AM:

" When I first heard that admission would be charged for this city park I began weaning my son off going to Myrick Park and we haven't been there in 6 months. Sounds like a park only for those able to pay the admission. While I would be able to pay I chose not to because city funds shouldn't be used to provide services to a select few. But then some communities get circle intersections at public expense others get alternate jails. "

enuffalready wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:05 AM:

" Does anyone know why Morgan bailed so quickly? Seems odd to me and always raises questions when something like that happens. "

Krusty wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:55 AM:

" Nikki, the animals take turns. The best thing about this park is that nobody has to feed or water the animals or even pay for a vet. After the old ones die off the "zoo keepers" can just open up the cage doors and do a deer drive thru the marsh to collect all new healthy animals. "

Nikki Beaverhausen wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:29 AM:

" I have a question? Isn't inhumane to lock up these local critters behind bars only for them to be taunted by their free roaming friends just across the trail? "

possom133 wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:25 AM:

" Quick tear down the exibits and move the animals before the funding is even complete, and people really know what is going on. What a sad lazy place this will be, if even finished, nothing but animals you can see on a walk down the marsh trail. Lets explain what a zoo is for: A zoo is a place where people can see new and different animal than the ones that live in the area. Sounds like the bored spoonfeeds needed to give them something to pat themselves on the back for. All this for 5 million what a deal? "

Nikki Beaverhausen wrote on Aug 22, 2008 6:47 AM:

" Hey Krusty, do you suppose they will still have a fox? I know they use to have one, not that I ever saw it, but I did see a cage that said "fox" on it. Or will it be disqualified since it was part of the previous NON Eco Park? What a joke this park is. The only people who will pay to go there are tourists who haven't been here long enough to see these animals in their local natural habitat. Then they will feel ripped off when they do. "

packer wrote on Aug 22, 2008 5:52 AM:

" What a joke. Going to Myric park as a kid I can remember how fun it was to see animals not seen in this area. Let's make it eco, that ought to get PETA a reason to not watch over us.
Krusty, you forgot ground worms, those are in our area, so they'll have an exhibit with ground worms! "

Im Still Jackson wrote on Aug 22, 2008 4:10 AM:

" Krusty what no birds? "

Im Still Jackson wrote on Aug 22, 2008 4:09 AM:

" These contractors have gotten smart and are including the LEGAL FEES upfront for dealing with the city down the road when they try to screw them on payday LOL.
"Project leaders opened the bids late last week, Gallagher said, and were shocked to find the lowest bid at $2.06 million."
IDEA dont award the contract and have another round of bidding HMMMMMMMMM! "

Sully wrote on Aug 22, 2008 1:58 AM:

" Pure politically correct, tree hugging, warm and fuzzy, lets all hold hands and form a circle and sing Kumbaya, folly. So much for what the people want. Watch, this will quickly become a complete failure and a financial drain to all involved. The city/county will have to bail it out to keep it open, if not to get it completed. It seems to me it would have been mush smarter to spend money to make a nice habitat for the monkeys that people could enjoy year round. But... good luck with it. In two years lets see who was right. "

Krusty wrote on Aug 22, 2008 1:05 AM:

" Oh boy! I can't wait to see a real live deer! Hopefully the park can get some more exotic animals like the squirrel and maybe even a woodchuck! "


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