2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

In May 2020, the GSC zoo expansion, Revolution Ridge: Life on the Edge , completed final inspections and was issued a Certificate of Occupancy allowing the new animals to be placed in their exhibit homes and acclimate to their new environment. The grand opening ceremony was held on June 4, 2021. This core vision was realized, in part through the “Think BIG Together!” campaign which raised $13 million in private donations to supplement funds from the previously approved $20 million City bond referendum in 2009. GSC’s zoological experience is “revolutionary” in terms of zoo design, educational technology and dedication to species preservation. In addition to various improvements made over the past few years, the expansion doubles the size of the zoo and adds an animal health center, butterfly house and Monarch conservation project, endangered cat complex, Okapi giraffe forest, aquatic water garden, and greenhouse.

In April 2021, GSC opened its Treehouse Adventure, a treetop science exploration playground connecting the existing Animal Discovery Zoo to Revolution Ridge. The attraction is made up of 4 treehouses and 4 crow’s nests interconnected by a series of bridges, net climbing structures, hoops, logs and steps, allowing visitors to experience the ecosystem around them and discover local wildlife as they climb and explore. In addition, a handcrafted carousel with Greensboro themed figures opened to the public in August 2020. Since 2014, GSC has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums , an award that only 223 of the more than 2,000

qualified national facilities receive. GSC is the only facility in the state to offer an accredited science museum, zoological park, and aquarium in a single destination. It is ranked number three in North Carolina as the top field trip attraction, receiving students, visitors and educators from throughout the state. The GSC attendance numbers have more than doubled during the past six years, 2013 to 2019, to over 400,000 annually, representing $77 million in annual economic impact from operational and associated visitor spending. The City of Greensboro’s proposed ten-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) includes approximately $1.5 billion for projects that will be undertaken during FY 2022-2031 and outlines a future financing plan to maintain the City’s current infrastructure and develop new facilities where needed to help achieve the City Council’s strategic service priorities. A substantial portion of the CIP relates to Street Improvements and Water Resources projects. Additional amounts are planned for Parks and Recreation projects, Libraries and Fire Stations. While the substantial portion of the CIP is funded by bonds and Enterprise Fund operations, the CIP is also funded by grant revenue, including community contributions, community development efforts, transit and other sources. During the 10-year planning period, grants are projected to be available to support a variety of Transportation projects, including sidewalk construction, greenway projects, road projects, and transit improvements. Total Grants funding in the CIP equates to $205 million, approximately 13.7% of the total CIP. Unauthorized bond funding represents $468 million or 31.3% of the current plan. The CIP also includes $72 million categorized as other revenue.

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