City Parks has confirmed, during a public meeting on 10 March that they plan to build a new two-storey, 630-space parking garage at the Johannesburg Zoo.
The new parking garage construction is expected to start in April.
The Zoo’s upper park will be closed for two years, but alternative parking will be provided.
City Park’s Project manager Shaun Naidoo said the project is expected to run for 24 months – and it is expected to cost the City R70 million.
The entity also confirmed that they devoted themselves to keeping the existing mature trees during the construction.
Ward 117 councillor Tim Truluck said he is excited about the project.
The parking garage has been designed with hanging gardens as one of the features of the new structure, so it is exciting because the Zoo is very popular, said Truluck.
“It has been a long time coming, and I am relieved that the City is doing something positive – this is a positive initiative for the area,” the councillor said.
Truluck also added that, “While the park is closed for the duration of the construction, visitors will have to use the parking area at Zoo Lake, Military Museum and the Wild life Centre parking during construction.”
The R70 million construction project involves three stages, the first stage will cost R18 million and it will run for six months; the second stage will cost R25 million and the final stage of the project, which includes decorating the Zoo, will cost the City R27 million
