In fall 2025, The Spieker Company, in collaboration with Buehrer Group, began demolition of three existing animal housing and maintenance buildings to make way for a new 9,000-square-foot addition dedicated to Baru, the largest saltwater crocodile in the Western Hemisphere.
Working closely with the zoo team, the project partners developed a purpose-built habitat designed to balance animal welfare, operational efficiency, and guest engagement. Baru’s new permanent home features an expanded environment, including underwater viewing that offers guests an up-close perspective of this remarkable animal.
Beyond the new crocodile habitat, the project included a comprehensive renovation of 12,000 square feet of existing exhibit space. More than 40 reptile exhibits received a complete facelift, creating refreshed, modern environments throughout the building. The facility’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were also comprehensively upgraded, replacing outdated infrastructure and improving the building’s overall functionality and efficiency.
To maintain operations during construction, the remaining reptiles were temporarily housed in a mezzanine structure located directly above the crocodile holding area while their new habitats were completed.
The final phase of construction took approximately six months, culminating in the zoo’s grand reopening over Memorial Day Weekend 2026. The completed project delivers a transformed reptile experience—providing improved habitats for the animals, upgraded facilities for zoo operations, and an enhanced experience for visitors.
