What to watch: Construction is quickly moving ahead at Zoo Midland, where crews have spent the past several months building core infrastructure on the west side of Midland at the former Nueva Vista Golf Course.

Since work began in late October 2025, crews have focused on underground utilities, drainage, and site preparation. Project officials say visible vertical construction is now taking shape, with fencing going up and work on the zoo’s first public-facing animal area expected to begin soon.

Why it matters: As a privately funded non-profit facility, Zoo Midland is designed to inspire learning and fun while creating lasting memories for Midland families for generations to come. Keep an eye on updates. This project is gaining momentum fast.

Midland’s top stories. One quick email. Free, every Friday.
Get Midland Wrapped, our free weekly email for busy Midland residents. Each Friday, we break down the week’s most important local stories — what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next — so you can stay informed without the noise.
    Subscribe

The big picture: Early work focused on the behind-the-scenes systems needed to support the zoo over the long term. That includes sewer lines, stormwater drainage, and other utility work, along with a six-acre service area housing offices, an animal hospital, separate commissaries for staff and animals, an employee center, and a maintenance building.

Crews are also installing perimeter fencing along the west, south, and east sides of the property. That work is expected to wrap up by the end of March. The next major step is the Upper Savanna, the zoo’s first animal and guest area. Once that phase begins, Midland residents will likely start to see more of the visible habitat and visitor spaces that will define the project.

By the numbers:
  • About 877 cubic yards of concrete have been poured so far
  • 30,537 square feet of office buildings in various stages of construction
  • 11,500 feet of utility trenching
  • Roughly ¾ of a mile of perimeter fencing