Detroit Zoo's penguin exhibit to close for several months
'Faulty waterproofing' gets the blame for the September closure
The Detroit Zoo says its $30 million Polk Penguin Conservation Center will close for several months to fix faulty waterproofing.
The Royal Oak-based zoo says the 33,000-square-foot centre, which opened in April 2016, will close Sept. 9 and reopen next June.
Officials say repairs are needed because about 9 gallons of water are seeping into the facility and being pumped out daily.
Both the zoo and the contractor, the joint venture of DeMaria/Wharton-Smith, say the contractor will make the necessary repairs.
Zoo officials filed a lawsuit but a settlement was reached. A statement released by the joint venture says the leakage was due to work performed by subcontractors.
The zoo's 75 penguins will live in the former Penguinarium during repairs, but it won't be open to visitors.