facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Additions to research buildings near the hospital, a new greenhouse, and a small
staff parking lot near Holt House.
The implementation of Alternative C would renew park infrastructure by reclaiming
Parking Lots A, B, and D for use as exhibit areas. Older exhibits and flat land areas
would be revitalized, accommodating future collection planning and enhancing visitor
experience. The addition of large and new exhibits in areas with more favorable
topography would have a long-term beneficial impact to visitor use and experience.
The new Beaver Valley exhibits and walkways, as well as new service roads, would be
designed to separate park service from visitor circulation. This would enhance the visitor
experience both through the addition of new animal exhibits, and by dedicating the
walkways exclusively to visitor use, without conflicts due to service vehicles. The
revitalized Beaver Valley and separation of service from visitor areas would have longterm
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 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 replace the Great Ape House and 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 National Zoo’s
mission, goals, and exhibits. The revitalized entrances under Alternative C 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 not only increase overall parking
capacity, but 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 visitor use and experience.
The proposed aerial and ground-based trams would each help to 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. These actions
would have long-term beneficial impacts to visitor use and experience.
Mitigation for the Preferred Alternative
To the extent possible, construction routes for individual projects will be designed to
avoid conflicts with pedestrian traffic. Arrival/departure times will typically be
scheduled around normal visitor hours, and visitors will be redirected around construction
areas. When renovations are underway at entrances, shops, and locations that provide
amenities, similar services will be offered elsewhere on the site to avoid disruptions to
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 101 | P a g e