facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
separation of visitor use and service vehicles would have long-term beneficial impacts to
visitor use and experience.
Consolidation and revitalization of entrances at Connecticut Avenue, Midpoint entry, and
Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive would replace the multiple entrances presently found
throughout the National Zoo site. This action would improve the entry and arrival
experience for visitors by providing iconic entry points. Each area would include visitor
amenities such as restrooms, kiosks, retails and dining and other services. A new Mid-
Point visitor hub would further enhance the visit by providing special event venues and
educational areas, as well as provide a stop accessible to all visitors for clarification and
more comprehensive interpretation of the zoo’s mission, goals, and exhibits. The
revitalized entrances under Alternative A would have long-term beneficial impacts to
visitor use and experience.
The new underground and above ground parking structures would be located near the
consolidated visitor entry points. The structures would increase overall parking capacity
would also ensure the visitors pass through one of the entry points for a more cohesive
arrival than under current parking conditions. The increased parking capacity and the
location of the new structures would have long-term beneficial impacts to the visitor
experience.
The proposed aerial tram would mitigate the steep topography of Olmstead Walk and
help to ease circulation throughout the park. In addition, passengers of the aerial tram
would enjoy the unique perspective of viewing the National Zoo from above, an
opportunity which is not currently available. The aerial tram would have long-term
beneficial impacts to visitor use and experience.
Alternative B
Under Alternative B, new exhibits would be added and existing exhibits revitalized.
Parking would be increased, and revitalized entrances, including visitor amenities and
services, would improve the arrival and interpretive experience. Circulation and
navigation throughout the National Zoo would be improved.
Activities with potential impacts to effect visitor use and experience under Alternative B
include:
Reclamation of Parking Lot A and the Bus Lot for the creation of new large
multi-species exhibit areas,
New Beaver Valley exhibits and walkways;
Renewal of older exhibits;
Revitalization/expansion of visitor entrances at Connecticut Avenue, Midpoint
entry, and Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive;
Construction of a service road from Amazonia Science Gallery to Bird Hill;
Implementation of a ground-based tram that would travel back and forth along
North Road.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 99 | P a g e