Memphis Zoo asks Shelby County for $1.5 million to expand free Tennessee Tuesdays, outlines $250M master plan

Matt Thompson, president and CEO of the Memphis Zoo, told the Shelby County Budget & Finance Subcommittee on May 21 that the zoo is seeking additional operational support from the county to expand its free Tennessee Tuesday program and support ongoing operations.

Thompson said the zoo draws roughly 1,000,000 visitors annually, generates about $90 million in annual economic impact and that more than half of paid admissions come from beyond 50 miles. He told commissioners the zoo has been receiving a $1.2 million city management fee that has not changed in roughly 30 years and asked Shelby County to consider contributing $1.5 million toward a proposed $3.0 million increase in operating support. "So again, our request from you is 1.5," Thompson said on the record.

Thompson described a long‑range vision for the campus: a 20‑year, $250 million plan that would add a permanent indoor stingray exhibit, a large Africa exhibit with expanded elephant breeding facilities, and a bridged indoor aquarium/rainforest concept called "Oceans to Forest." He estimated the Africa exhibit as roughly a $75 million, destination project designed to attract out‑of‑market visitors. Thompson said the zoo has raised significant capital historically but needs more recurring operating support to maintain service levels and run expanded public programs such as Tennessee Tuesday year‑round.

Commissioner Bradford, who asked how Tennessee Tuesday currently operates, pressed Thompson on logistics; Thompson said the program today runs in a compressed daily window (roughly mid‑afternoon to closing) and that county support would allow the zoo to offer free admission from opening to close and add months currently excluded from the program. Bradford told Thompson she would help try to identify $1.5 million in county funding.

The presentation included financial context for the zoo's operating model: Thompson said the current operating budget is about $26 million, of which the Memphis Zoological Society generates the majority and the municipal management fee is a small share. The subcommittee did not take a vote; Thompson's request was entered into the meeting record for future consideration.