John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is planning on building a large aquarium in the next few years. The build site is undecided, but Peter D’Arienzo, the CEO of the zoo has stated that, “It’s definitely in Kent County and on a body of water.” The hope for the aquarium is to bring in visitors from all over the midwest and earn almost 3 billion dollars. The cost of the project has not yet been defined, but is estimated to cost around $390 million. Funding for the project is still being figured out, as are many other important details. The process is in it’s very early stages, and is estimated to be completed by 2031.

The zoo itself already has an aquarium. One that houses over twenty Magellanic penguins, as well as multiple small sharks, various species of rock fish, and a few invertebrates like starfish and sea anemones. The tanks are relatively small, especially in comparison to the tanks the new aquarium plans to have.

There will be five distinct areas in the new building. One area will focus on Michigan’s aquatic creatures, centering around the Great Lakes and the shores of Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes. The other areas have yet to be announced, but as D’Arienzo said, “it will be stuff that hasn’t been seen at other aquariums.” There will be at least one coral reef habitat, sharks and stingrays. Educational tours for schools, and partnerships with colleges for student researchers, will hopefully be available. Outside the aquarium there will be a park-like exhibit with birds and reptiles.

It is estimated that most of the aquarium visitors will be civilians from across the country. “When you build a destination asset, it’s an investment in the community,” said D’Arienzo. The tourist attraction will likely lead to more hotels and restaurants being added to the area, which, along with the aquarium, will create hundreds of job opportunities.