May 20, 2016

Learning center coming to Point Defiance Zoo

Image courtesy of McGranahan Architects [enlarge]

Construction is slated to begin in July on a new environmental learning center at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma.

The 30,100-square-foot building will serve not only the zoo but also staff and students from the Science and Math Institute, a public high school with around 450 students. The learning center will hold up to 225 high school students at a time.

The project is being built with bond funds from Tacoma Public Schools. The zoo and Metro Parks Tacoma are also listed as project owners.

The school district is seeking a general contractor. Bids are due to Tacoma Public Schools by 2 p.m. June 3.

The estimated contract amount is $11 million. See the public notice in the May 9 DJC for more details.

McGranahan Architects is the designer.

The two-story Environmental Learning Center will have eight classrooms, including two science labs, plus administrative space, an early learning center, community spaces and a zoo volunteer facility.

Exterior materials include concrete, wood, cement board panels, metal panels and aluminum storefront glazing.

It will replace portable buildings now used by the zoo's education staff and volunteers.

Work will also involve construction of a 1,100-square-foot storage facility and removal of an existing storage building. Some utilities will be relocated.

The 1.5-acre site is inside the zoo, just north of the entrance at 5400 N. Pearl St.

The grand opening is planned for fall 2017.

Project team members include Coughlin Porter Lundeen, civil engineer; Cascade Design Collaborative, landscape architect; PCS Structural Solutions, structural engineer; Metrix Engineers, mechanical engineer; Hargis Engineers, electrical engineer; SSA Acoustics, acoustical consultant; and Robinson Co., cost estimator.