![]() I will continue to monitor three of the logjams, which show evidence of facilitating river flow outside of the channel and onto the floodplain and the development of side channels. Leaving the logjams in place provides me with the opportunity to monitor them over time including, changes in channel shape or morphology, the size of sediment (like sand, cobbles or boulders), erosion of river banks, and the accumulation of sediment. Jesse is working with me to help assess the logjams and their impact on river channel morphology and habitat! ETFE itself is 100% recycled material.Above Jesse Fritz, a research assistant and laboratory technician as Case Western Reserve University, measures the circumference of a downed tree on the Rocky River. More sustainable and cost efficient than full steel or traditional roofing. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is among only a handful of zoos in the United States that is using ETFE, it is more common in bigger zoos in Europe. Three layers will be installed in each shape and then inflated to provide full roofing coverage. ETFE (Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) is a sand-based plastic material that is pliable it feels a bit like a beach ball. Later this week, Vector Foiltec, a Germany-based company, will be installing ETFE panels in between each polygon outline seen on the caging. What is the roofing material? The dome caging being lifted today is steel and aluminum. ![]() When will the building reopen? If construction goes as planned, the RainForest may be open to guests sometime in November. The orangutan holding is world-class, and the animals are being provided with daily care and enrichment despite the loss of access to the areas guests can see. The orangutan troop is still in the building, as are other smaller species on the first floor. Where are the animals? Most of the RainForest animals were moved to the Steffee Center of Zoological Medicine during the construction. During a year of great financial distress, this collaboration between the nonprofit Zoo Society and the Metroparks is a great example of how private donations can help the Zoo in many ways. Once the Zoo Society secured the full $2.5 million for the rhino yard from private donors and foundations, the Metroparks was able to move $1.5 million that they were projecting to spend on a rhino yard to accelerate the RainForest dome project as a priority for 2020. As the nonprofit partner, the Zoo Society works to raise money for the Zoo in many ways, including capital improvement projects. However, that full funding was made possible by Cleveland Zoological Society donors fully funding the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve, which opened at the Zoo on June 9. How much does this cost? This $3.5 million project was fully funded by the Metroparks. Will the rest of the building be renovated? At some point in the future, yes, but not as part of this project scope. Until then, the new structure will greatly help the building upkeep for now. The RainForest as a whole is being evaluated as part of early design and planning work for a new primate habitat to be built in coming years. The flat part of the roof as well as several skylights are not under construction as part of this project. ![]() The iconic dome is the only work being done currently. ![]() Is the whole roof being replaced? Not for now. A facilities assessment in 2018 indicated that a new roof should be a priority to improve the condition of the building. Why replace the dome? The RainForest building is more than 28 years old, and the roof has been leaking for a while. On August 18, a new dome was lifted onto the building roof by the largest crane in Ohio. Crews have been working for several months to replace the dome that is an iconic feature for the building and the space the orangutans call home.Ī new dome will use state-of-the-art technology to improve lighting, energy efficiency and animal habitats in The RainForest when work is complete this fall. The RainForest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is more than 28 years old. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |