Work should be done by summer 2016, officials said.
Officials gathered for a groundbreaking at the zoo Tuesday. (Courtesy Essex County)WEST ORANGE -- County officials gathered Tuesday to break ground on a renovation project that they said will more than triple the size of the cafe at the Turtle Back Zoo.
According to an announcement from officials, the current cafe, which is about 5,000 square feet and one-story, will be expanded to a two-floor facility with a kitchen, dining room, outdoor terrace, and a special event space.
"We have set new annual attendance records at Turtle Back Zoo in each of the last 11 years, with our number of visitors exceeding 600,000 in each of the last two years," Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said in a statement.
WATCH: A day at Turtle Back Zoo in 60 seconds
"In order for us to continue to provide a first-class experience, it is necessary to provide more dining areas to accommodate the large numbers that come here."
The cafe expansion, which is expected to open during the summer of next year, is expected to cost about $7 million, officials said. The county is funding the project through its capital budget, they said.
Several officials released statements in support of the renovation, saying it will help attract more visitors to the zoo. Freeholder President Britnee Timberlake commended DiVincenzo for initiating "projects that continue to make Essex County a destination for families and attract tourism."
The expanded cafe is one of several ongoing upgrades to the zoo. A new giraffe exhibit is slated to open next spring. The exhibit has been the point of some controversy, as a contractor alleged that politics influenced the county's decision in hiring a rival firm.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.