New Auditorium, Admin Building Coming To Cleveland Zoo

CLEVELAND — A $3 million gift will lead to a new auditorium and a renovated administration building for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The $3 million gift comes from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. It is the largest gift ever secured by the Cleveland Zoological Society.

The auditorium will be used as a large meeting space and hub for educational and conservation-based programming. The facility will be called the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Auditorium.

The renovation will also create a new guest services hub, conference rooms, rental space and will renovate offices, restrooms and reception areas.

“These improvements will better position Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Zoological Society for the future, helping to improve operations and our philanthropic outreach, as well as creating new spaces for guests to connect with our mission," said Cleveland Zoological Society Executive Director Sarah Crupi.

This gift is the second major capital project supported by the Mandel Foundation, with the first being a $500,000 grant to construct the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Welcome Pavilion in 2017.