TRAVERSE CITY — The Sept. 16 edition of the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that the city’s Clinch Park Zoo Review Committee found that moving the Clinch Park Zoo to another location is feasible and that "some form of privatization should occur." Members of the committee were split on whether or not the zoo should remain open if it was not moved. One possible location mentioned by the members was the former state hospital grounds.
On Nov. 7 the city commission voted unanimously to adopt a Recommendation Statement from its 15-member Clinch Park Zoo Review Committee. The statement includes an announcement by the city of its intention to close the zoo by Labor Day 2007. It also recommends that the city solicit proposals from community associations or individuals for the creation of a new zoo on another site.
The annual tax subsidy necessary to maintain the current zoo is approaching $400,000, according to the Record-Eagle.