Council okays zoo appropriation to build enclosed aviary amid bird‑flu concerns

5834025 · September 3, 2025

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The council approved a non‑reverting appropriation funded by park operation revenues to build a new enclosed aviary at Washington Park Zoo, citing biosecurity and animal‑health reasons.

Michigan City — The Common Council approved an additional appropriation Sept. 2 to construct an enclosed aviary at Washington Park Zoo, a measure the parks director and sponsors said was funded from zoo operating (non‑reverting) revenues.

Council members said the aviary will protect birds from diseases such as avian influenza and allow the zoo to operate exhibits with improved biosecurity. The ordinance was advertised and heard in public session; sponsors said the funds are zoo‑generated and will not draw on the city’s general fund.

Vote: The ordinance passed unanimously on third reading (9‑0).