{"id":374536,"date":"2026-07-15T20:51:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T20:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/374536\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T20:51:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T20:51:08","slug":"dallas-zoo-releases-economic-impact-study-expansion-expected-to-increase-contributions-to-local-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/374536\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Zoo releases economic impact study, expansion expected to increase contributions to local economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The entry to the Dallas Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Dallas Zoo.<\/p>\n

For every City of Dallas invested dollar, the Dallas Zoo returns on that investment by generating $18, according to an economic impact study released Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Conducted by Oxford Economics company Tourism Economics and in partnership with Canopy Strategic Partners, the study tracks the value of city investment in the Zoo, predicting that the Zoo will generate a total of $3.2 billion into the local economy in the next 12 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have always believed the Dallas Zoo is one of the City\u2019s most powerful economic engines, and now we have independent data to confirm that.\u201d said Lisa New, CEO of the Dallas Zoo,<\/a> in a press release. \u201cEvery dollar the City invests in the Zoo comes back as jobs, tax revenue, and spending at local restaurants, hotels, and businesses. We are more than a great Zoo. We are a great investment for Dallas.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the study, the Zoo will bring in approximately 14.5 million visitors through 2036, averaging more than 1 million guests per year. Of those visitors, 77% of guests are from outside of Dallas that will contribute to the local economy.<\/p>\n

Non-local visitors are projected to spend nearly $1.7 billion at Dallas businesses, estimating a breakdown of $325 million at local restaurants, $258 million at hotels, $202 million in retail, $199 million at other entertainment and recreation venues and $93 million on local transportation.<\/p>\n

That spending will generate $369.6 million in total tax revenues, including $149.9 million in state and local taxes.<\/p>\n

The total economic impact found in the study also shows that more than 1,800 part-time and full-time jobs will be funded on an annual basis.<\/p>\n

Today, over 35% of the Zoo\u2019s current workforce lives in Oak Cliff.<\/p>\n

The study was released just ahead of a 2026-27 Fiscal Year budget workshop scheduled for the City Council in August. The City is currently facing a budget shortfall of $30 million for this fiscal year and has begun implementing means to cover that shortfall, such as the furlough days<\/a> announced last month.<\/p>\n

City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert requested a reduction of 3% in stipends for partners for the current fiscal year, which includes the Dallas Zoo.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the City previously faced a budget deficit in 2009, the Dallas Zoo entered into a public-private partnership. That partnership moved the management of the Dallas Zoo\u2019s daily operations under the Dallas Zoo Management, Inc.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since the pandemic, the Zoo has kept the city\u2019s contribution at a flat rate and has previously accepted stipend reductions.<\/p>\n

Voters recently supported expanding the Dallas Zoo with the 2024 bond, approving $26.5 million for security enhancements and the Safari Trail system. The $90 million Safari Trail is the first phase of the $119 million Wild Horizons<\/a> campaign.<\/p>\n

The Zoo\u2019s expansion is expected to begin construction in the fall.<\/p>\n

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