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Voters could decide if a zoo comes to Limestone County

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Voters could decide if zoo comes to Limestone County

There is a push to bring a zoo to Limestone County. Supporters said they want one, but it will cost taxpayers. 

All of this is still in the early planning stages. The renderings are done, and talks to bring a zoo to North Alabama are underway. 

Mark Catanese has a home in Limestone County. He and his wife said they'd like to see a zoo in the county.

"Between Huntsville and Nashville, you got major markets here. I feel a zoo would be in order," said Catanese.

It is a shared opinion among people living in and near this subdivision.

Candra Gilbert just took her kids to the zoo in Nashville.

"It would be more convenient for me. When you think of the money I spent to go to Nashville, and I'd have it at home, that's more convenient for me," said Gilbert.

Organizer Ethan Woodruff, with the North Alabama Zoological Society, came up with the idea in 2019. They want the voters to decide how they will pay for the $65 million project.

"We looked around other cities. Even smaller ones had zoos. Very successful operating zoos," said Woodruff.

The group wants residents to vote for a 30-year bond issue and a 3 percent utility tax, which they say will pay for the costs.

"When you think about an extra 100 dollars, if I wanted to go every other week, that's possibly the increase I'd see on my utilities," said Gilbert. 

Woodruff said he thinks it would benefit the area if residents vote for the zoo. 

"It could serve a lot of needs and improve quality of life, attract tourism, and build jobs and a lot of things our community does need," said Woodruff.

Â鶹app contacted the Limestone County Commission for a comment, but they were closed due to the holiday. Woodruff said he hopes to have this on the ballot next year.

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Weekend Anchor/Managing Editor/MMJ

Rob Sneed is an award-winning journalist who joined the WAAY team in December 2023 as Weekend Evening Anchor/Managing Editor.

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