Alaska Zoo prepares to break ground on $8 million project for polar bears Print article When the $8 million Polar Bear Project at the Alaska Zoo is complete, up to six cubs could move into a new transitional facility, and the full-grown mammals will have a expanded residence -- giving Alaska a premiere exhibit for the threatened creatures. "We have been thinking about this and talking about this for quite some time," said Patrick Lampi, Alaska Zoo executive director. "We just had other things in the works, but we have been watching the standards for polar bears going up. Now is the right time."