Dubbed “Michigan’s favorite interactive reptile zoo,”
The Reptarium is expanding its footprint in Utica by dipping its toes into more aquatic life.
The Reptarium facility, currently 5,000 square feet, will grow six times its current size with the addition of a 30,000 square foot space across the street on Van Dyke. The company purchased the former Salvation Army building, and will convert it to an aquatic life space called Legasea Aquarium.
The Legasea Aquarium will continue The Reptarium model of human interaction with the animals. Some of the features in the new facility will include a tank to swim with stingrays, a stingray touching station and a shark tank.
The Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) has assisted with the upgrade in various ways. MCPED has connected the Macomb Community College vet tech program with The Reparium, which is beneficial to all parties involved. The animals receive additional care, and the students get to add internship hours, which are required for graduation.
MCPED also connected Repartium to the county’s Fueling The Talent Pipeline (FTTP) initiative. Since the facility currently isn’t large enough to host field trips, The Reptarium takes animals to schools. MCPED will help connect The Repartium to the Macomb Intermediate School District MISD and establish field trips to Utica once the larger facility opens up.
Adding the aquarium piece to The Repartium business operations is the dream of owner Brian Barczyk, who is suffering from pancreatic cancer. Barcyzk’s staff and family members are rushing to get the project completed by Dec. 26 of this year so that he can see his dream come to life.
The Reptarium held a preview party Nov. 16, National Pancreatic Cancer Day. All proceeds from the event will go to pancreatic cancer awareness and to start a new education scholarship fund.
Is your company looking to expand? If so, contact our economic development team at MCPED at 586-469-5100 for free and confidential assistance.
