MEMPHIS, Tenn — Governor Bill Lee is putting $20 million behind the Memphis Zoo as a part of his new state budget.

“A new home for the animals in the African exhibit at the Memphis Zoo just got a little closer, thanks to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the $20 million he is dedicating to improvements at the Memphis Zoo,” said President and CEO of Memphis Zoo Matt Thompson. “This was the first step in that plan that, we think it’s going to significantly accelerate the timeline.”

He says the state funds will get renovations started. The total cost of the project is estimated at $250 million.

“The main event, of course, are elephants. That’s very important to us, and it’s going to be a state-of-the-art breeding elephant facility,” said Thompson.

New homes and barns for the giraffes and rhinos will be built, and there will be new interactive opportunities for guests.

Thompson says the idea is to look as if guests are on a safari, so it would be big and open.

The zoo is envisioning a whole new space that is about 14 acres, which is much larger than it is currently.

“I think that’s awesome. Elephants are my favorite animal,” said visitor Emily Westberry. “And I think it would be great if they had some more, like, nature aspects in there for them. And like, if we could get closer and possibly touch them, that would be awesome.”

“There are lots of people that are excited about this and want to make it happen,” said Thompson.

Memphis City Councilman Jeff Warren says the zoo is one of Memphis’s anchor attractions that brings people from everywhere.

“And one of the things about it, when you’re in the zoo, most of your other problems just sort of melt away,” said Warren. “It’s a really good place for mental health, for people.”