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January-February 2008 
Despite the bitter cold, contractors are working hard putting the finishing touches on our new exhibit. The buildings are complete and artists have finished elaborate rockwork creating the look of eroded sandstone for the sea cave, a room-sized lava tube for bear viewing, and rockwork and aspens for the Amur leopard exhibit. A log cabin from Russia was shipped and installed this winter. The Education Event Center is complete and is the Zoo’s first “green” building using sustainable strategies such as a vegetative roof, geothermal heat pumps, and recycled materials throughout. The pools for the sea otter and bear exhibits are being filled and tested. Other systems are being commissioned and carefully reviewed as we get ready to move animals into their holding areas later this spring. The interpretive graphics are in the final design phase.
 September-December 2007
All of the holding buildings are complete as well as most of the rockwork for the entrance, sea otter exhibit, and bear exhibit. Acrylic and glass windows have been installed for the floor-to-ceiling viewing areas of both sea otters and grizzly bears. The Education Center is nearly complete, and work is progressing nicely on all the viewing structures. In November, we’ll be adding a note of authenticity with a log cabin from Russia. Horticulture crews have been busy planting full-sized coniferous and deciduous trees through the summer and fall to create a dramatic backdrop for this one-of-a-kind experience.
June-August 2007
Things are really moving quickly on the construction site. Concrete work for bear holding sea otter holding, life support, and the Education Center is complete. Extensive rockwork is being done to form the entrance into the exhibit, the backdrop for the bear exhibit, and the impressive viewing areas for both sea otter and bear exhibits. Horticulture crews began hauling in and planting massive, full-sized trees for the bear exhibit.
March-May 2007
Progress continues on many of the buildings of the exhibit including underground piping, concrete work, and pouring foundations. Both the bear exhibit and the sea otter exhibit will have large pools for the animals to swim in. Lots of concrete work is being poured and formed for both of these areas, as well as completing the large walls of the bear moat. Artificial rockwork begins as designers and artists create the look of the rugged and rocky coast of the Russian Far East.
January-February 2007
The mild weather has allowed contractors to make great progress on three of the buildings for Russia’s Grizzly Coast. The life support building walls are completely formed on the first level. The footings are done for the bear and otter buildings, and the concrete walls are starting to rise to the final 14-foot heights around the outside of the bear yard and south moat. Excavation for the sea otter pools and exhibit is now mostly complete to allow for the extensive plumbing network to be laid between the pools and the life support building.
November-December 2006
Staff and contractors continue to get as much work done as possible before the ground freezes. Construction design documents are complete and work continues on pouring foundations and footings. You may notice tarps or tents over certain areas of the site, keeping the ground warm for one last cement pour before winter.
 September-October 2006
Utility work continues. They have begun removing old concrete and setting new footings and foundations. Materials like wood shingles and concrete will be sorted and recycled, whenever possible.
July-August 2006
Utility work begins. Occasionally guests will be re-directed along Central Plaza to connect with the Northern Trail. Guest pathways will be clearly marked.
July 2006
June 22, 2006
Groundbreaking ceremony led by Zoo Director and CEO Lee Ehmke with comments from Governor Tim Pawlenty, Senator Jim Metzen, and Representative Dennis Ozment. Great attendance from media and Zoo supporters of all ages!
May 2006
The Minnesota State Legislature awards the Minnesota Zoo $15 million in bonding, $3 million of which will be used for Russia’s Grizzly Coast. (The total budget for the project is $23.6 million.)
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