Bonita Springs City Council voted unanimously at a March 20 meeting to approve the first reading of an ordinance establishing a new operating agreement between the city and Everglades Wonder Gardens.  

The gardens have sought an agreement with the city since a joint workshop in November allowed the nonprofit freedom to operate independently and make desired improvements while also being transparent with the city.  

The gardens were built in 1942 and received a historical designation from the city in 2017. The Wonder Gardens has been operating the zoo through a public-private partnership with the city since 2015, when it was provided with a $3.5 million bridge loan from the city to prevent it from declaring bankruptcy in exchange for a short-term mortgage.  

The gardens were still facing foreclosure in 2018, so the city voted to take ownership of the property and eliminate the mortgage agreement. Now, the two parties are in the final phase of drafting a new operating agreement. 

Under the contract, Wonder Gardens must pay rent to the city, totaling $50,000 per year. Additionally, Wonder Gardens must give $3 million to the city over the next 10 years. This is meant to offset what the city will be spending on immediate improvements to the gardens, estimated to be about $2 million in deficiencies.  

City Attorney Derek Rooney said the cost for the gardens to make its own improvements will offset against future rent payments as an incentive to enhance the facility. That way, the gardens can choose to pay for the city to take care of improvements or it can do it itself in exchange of paying less rent. Ultimately, all improvements have to be approved by the city.  

Moving forward, Wonder Gardens will provide the city with quarterly updates on financials. 

Councilor Jesse Purdon, who worked closely with the Wonder Gardens throughout the agreement drafting process, is optimistic about the effectiveness of the agreement, especially with new leadership from the nonprofit. Neil Anderson was hired as executive director of Wonder Gardens in summer 2022, and recently appointed local veterinarian Dr. Wendy Arsenault as a new board chair.  

“We’ve had a long history over there, but I’m telling you guys it’s new blood and I feel like with that [is] new energy for a great relationship, and I feel positive about it,” Purdon said.  

The ordinance to establish the agreement will go forward for the second and final reading at the City Council meeting April 3.