SAFARI TRAILS PHASE 1 AFRICAN SHORELINES in Dallas, TX

The City of Dallas has registered a $26,000,000 new construction project at the Dallas Zoo, located at 650 S R L Thornton Fwy. The scope involves the construction of five distinct buildings totaling 13,217 square feet. This filing, known as Safari Trails Phase 1 African Shorelines, marks a significant expansion of the facility's infrastructure within Marsalis Park.

Scope and Design

The project includes a 5,160-square-foot cafe, a 1,762-square-foot covered canopy, a 3,046-square-foot penguin exhibit, a 2,721-square-foot flamingo exhibit, and a 528-square-foot view shelter. CLR Design serves as the design firm of record. The estimated cost of $1,967 per square foot is above the Dallas County median for new construction, reflecting the specialized nature of the zoo habitats and public amenities.

Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2026, with completion targeted for March 2028. This 517-day build window is longer than the county median of 243 days, consistent with the complexity of integrating new animal exhibits and public structures. The project is registered with TDLR, and the accessibility specialist of record is Tito O Olaleye.

The City of Dallas owns the project, which is funded by public resources. This is one of several high-profile developments in the area, including other TDLR-registered projects by the same owner totaling over $15 million. CLR Design has previously completed two other Dallas Zoo projects, with combined values of $37,500,000, indicating an ongoing partnership for facility improvements.

Wikipedia describes the Dallas Zoo as a 106-acre facility south of downtown, established in 1888. The Dallas Parks website notes the zoo is home to thousands of animals and offers family activities. These third-party descriptions provide context for the scale of the site where the new buildings will be integrated. The project status is Project Registered, with plan review pending.