06-05-2025
Erie Zoo asks city to transfer 106 acre property to Erie Events
Conversations continue to escalate surrounding the potential transfer of ownership of the Erie Zoo, which has been owned by the City of Erie since 1964.
But before city officials agree to turn things over to Erie Events, the authority looking to help finance and manage the zoo, they've had to have some difficult discussions.
The Erie Zoo lost AZA accreditation in 2021, citing insufficient funding as well as a lack of modern exhibits. Since then, the zoo has been working to earn it back.
Part of their latest plan to get back on track is through a partnership with Erie Events, which they said would allow them to expand and evolve into a new era.
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'We initially had conversations with the zoo back in January of 2024, so it's now been, gosh, going on a year and a half now, and the financial situation for the zoo is only getting worse, I would say,' said Gus Pine, executive director of Erie Events.
The accreditation process requires the zoo to have a certain level of trained staff in relation to the care and medical needs of the animals.
Pine said that it's been a struggle for the zoo's current salary capabilities.
The plan also calls for the construction of a brand new vet hospital, which would serve not just zoo animals, but the pets of local people as well.
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And yet, conversations have stalled between the city government, the zoo and Erie Events. Why is that?
'The request right now from Erie Events and the zoo is for the city to transfer 106 acres of property completely at no charge,' said City of Erie Solicitor Edward Betza.
That 106-acre request came as a shock to the city, as it includes the adjacent golf course, ice arena, picnic area, horseshoe pits and land near Marsh Street.
Under a land transfer like this, the city has no guarantees in terms of the future use of the property.
And it's not taken lightly by the city government, which is looking for more assurances of a new financial plan for the space now and in the future.
'I firmly believe that the zoo is a regional asset, and because it is, it doesn't belong to the city; it belongs to the people of the city,' said Ed Brzezinski, an Erie City Council member.
'There are questions and concerns from the administration and council end. We need to make sure that those questions get answered, but that's not going to happen if we're not convening,' said Tyler Titus, another Erie City Council member.
Everyone involved wants the zoo to succeed, and with all of the pieces aligned, it's a matter of things falling into place.
'The zoo does need to grow. Now, where the zoo grows its footprint in terms of animal enclosures has yet to be identified,' said Pine. 'It's gotta be done with a keen eye on how that land is currently used.'
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'Whatever we do, we have to make sure that this is successful. We have asked the zoo and Erie Events for long-range planning financially, and what are they going to do with the property,' said Betza.
We were unable to interview zoo representatives on the situation on Tuesday.
However, Titus said the zoo will have to start making tough decisions internally if conversations don't move forward.
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