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Board approves final design for Zoo 'Wings of Wonder' exhibit; designers slimming cost amid bird‑flu concerns
Summary
The parks board approved the final design for the indoor Wings of Wonder aviary and authorized staff to file state design release applications; consultants reported roughly a 20% reduction from earlier estimates and said the project is being expedited because federal and USDA bird‑flu rules affect the current outdoor exhibit.
The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board voted May 21 to approve the final design for the city's Wings of Wonder aviary and to seek state design release approvals necessary for bidding.
Consultants from Kiel Architecture and city staff said revised drawings and value engineering have reduced cost estimates from roughly $504,000 earlier this year to about $420,000 under the latest design. The board voted to accept the design and separately approved filing three state design release applications (architectural, electrical and mechanical) required by the state of Indiana before the project can go to bid.
Why it matters: Staff said new federal/USDA rules related to avian influenza and recent detections in surrounding areas make it prudent to move the aviary indoors and to complete the project quickly to protect the zoo's bird collection.
Design and cost updates
Sam, a representative from Kiel Architecture (joining virtually), told the board the team eliminated a clerestory (windows at the roof) and simplified the structural envelope to lower cost. "We anticipate those being about 20% lower than what we had previously," he said, estimating "somewhere around 420,000" as an approximate construction estimate. Sam also described a simple rigid‑frame steel structure with glazed sections incorporating ceramic frit to reduce bird strikes.
Consultants said the interior floor will remain a permeable surface suitable for birds, while interior enclosures will be completed by zoo staff to reduce costs. Sam said final, detailed pricing from contractors was expected within days and that the team would submit the project for state construction design release once pricing is confirmed.
Public comment and board discussion
Resident Scott Mellon urged the board to consider an architectural alternative that would preserve a clerestory for aesthetic reasons, saying the simpler gable roof was "boring" and could be less lasting. Staff said a clerestory would be included as an alternate if funding allows, but that funding remains the critical constraint.
Board action
A board member moved and the board carried approval of the final design; a separate motion to file the three state design release applications (architectural, electrical, mechanical) also carried. Staff will provide the board with final construction cost estimates when received and verify funding before bidding.
