KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Kent County is the best place for John Ball Zoo's aquarium project.
That's according to a Canopy Strategic Partners feasibility study completed in 2023.
When first announced, zoo leaders were targeting sites in the immediate Grand Rapids area. They also considered Muskegon County.
The consulting company took a look at how much of a financial impact this potential project would have in Kent County, as well as Muskegon County.
What the study found is Kent County had the strongest financial model for long-term sustainability, and it's expected to generate as much as $2.9 billion over 10 years.
“Both Kent and Muskegon counties would be amazing partners on this exciting project, and it’s been a pleasure partnering with forward-thinking local officials as we continue to plan for an aquarium that will bring huge economic benefits to West Michigan,” said Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo. “The research showed both communities offer unique destination traits of lakeshore recreation versus urban core entertainment. At this time, Kent County reflects greater financial and operational capacity to move this project forward.”
This aquarium would create more than 2,400 jobs and generate more than $231 million in state and local tax revenue in the first 10 years of operation, the study found.
John Ball Zoo leadership is expecting the aquarium to be a national attraction, bringing in visitors from around the country.
This large-scale, off-site aquarium could rival and compete with aquariums in cities like Chicago, Atlanta and Monterey.
“We at John Ball Zoo are incredibly excited about the potential of this project to expand our mission of saving wildlife and wild places, providing meaningful educational experiences and delivering amazing economic benefits to our community,” D’Arienzo said.
This project is in the beginning planning stages. An aquarium of this scale has not been built in the U.S. in the last 20 years.
An aquarium the size the zoo would like to build could cost around $150 million and take between five and 10 years from concept to completion.
Kent County Commissioners are considering a proposal that would raise the county's hotel tax from 5% to 8%. In a letter, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and other city leaders urged county commissioners to pass the ballot measure.
The revenue from these taxes would go toward building projects like a new soccer stadium and riverside amphitheater, which are currently going through the approval process.
Bliss said the revenue could also help fund the brand-new aquarium.
"Our organizations have worked collaboratively with the community to develop a vision for a new amphitheater and soccer stadium. The community is also in the early stages of planning for a nationally significant aquarium," reads the letter. "These projects are projected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in net new economic impact. This means new business activity, more well-paying jobs, more in-fill development, and a higher quality of life for our residents."
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