{"id":229043,"date":"2026-03-31T19:47:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/229043\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T19:47:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:47:11","slug":"dallas-zoo-increases-parking-by-55-with-new-lot-ev-chargers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/229043\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Zoo increases parking by 55% with new lot, EV chargers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get ready to park with ease the next time you visit the Dallas Zoo. A new five-story parking garage was unveiled Tuesday morning and is the first construction project in the zoo\u2019s multi-year, long-term capital campaign.<\/p>\n

The parking garage, previously known as the Hippo Lot and located at 725 Ewing Ave., will add almost 600 additional parking spaces and increase parking by 55%. This brings the total number of available spaces at the zoo to about 1,700, including five new electric vehicle charging stations capable of charging two cars each.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn a typical spring break, people are parking on any available corner, and it causes a lot of problems with congestion and traffic,\u201d said Sean Greene, chief operating officer of the Dallas Zoo.<\/p>\n

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At least 75 days per year, the Dallas Zoo would run out of available parking, according to zoo officials. They hope the new garage will help combat that issue. The zoo already operates one EV charging station, capable of servicing two EVs at a time. Although these chargers will remain free, the 10 new spots in the garage will require a fee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hardest part of a great day at the zoo was finding a parking space,\u201d Arun Agarwal, president of the Dallas Parks and Recreation board, said in a speech.<\/p>\n

\"Council<\/p>\n

Council member Chad West speaks as the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department hold a Dedication Ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Zoo\u2019s new guest parking garage in Dallas, Sunday, April 6, 2025.<\/p>\n

Juan Figueroa\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n

Both public and private investments funded the parking garage, which was approved in 2019 and broke ground spring of 2024. The zoo invested about $3.5 million, a City of Dallas 2017 bonds program provided $3 million, and a grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments gave $10 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Dallas Zoo is an anchor of new economic development in south Dallas,\u201d council member Maxie Johnson said during the dedication ceremony Tuesday morning. \u201cEvery dollar invested in the Dallas Zoo sees a return of $18 in the local economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Dallas Zoo\u2019s giraffe statue seen from the top floor of the Zoo\u2019s new guest parking garage located at 725 S. Ewing Ave in Dallas, Sunday, April 6, 2025.<\/p>\n

Juan Figueroa\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n

Over a million people visit the zoo per year, Agarwal said. Zoo and city officials are expecting an increase in traffic in south Dallas, and believe the new parking garage will help accommodate needs of incoming visitors, calling it \u201ca down payment to a much larger vision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lisa New said the garage will serve the zoo, DART, Oak Cliff and Halperin Park, which opens in May. \u00a0However, Greene said operating hours and availability outside of zoo hours have not been determined yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cPopularity is a good thing, but we\u2019re not sure how to support everyone,\u201d Greene said.<\/p>\n

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