Zoo gets the Robert G. Wilmers Rainforest
The County Legislature approved $4 million in new borrowing to help fund the Buffalo Zoo’s $16 million Rainforest attraction.
At risk was the state funding, as well as a $4 million challenge grant from M&T Bank Chairman Robert G. Wilmers, whose name will adorn the rain forest. Loughran said he liked the project but was opposed to borrowing to make it happen. He wanted the county to take the $4 million out of last year’s budget surplus.
Once the county control board said it supported the zoo plan, that gave the leg the green light to pass it. I think it’ll be a wonderful project. I think it’s somewhat of a shame that it needed county money to get built.
