King of the Wilderness

"Under the intense sunlight, especially with the reflection from the water, it’s difficult to ensure a 100% one-way effect. The animals might still perceive shadows and movements on the other side of the glass."

He presented another design proposal, "Therefore, our suggestion is to cancel the underwater tunnel and instead, build an observation mountain on the north side of the polar pavilion using the terrain."

"Visitors will enter this building disguised as a rocky mountain from the backstage area through a tunnel. They will observe the animals through multiple one-way observation windows from different angles."

"The benefit of this approach is that it completely eliminates visual interference and provides animals with an absolute safe zone."

"Secondly, and most importantly, in terms of legal nature, it better aligns with the ultimate purpose of our project."

This statement piqued the interest of Lin Yu’an and Hammond.

Li Wenbo explained, "During our research on the project background, we noticed a key point, Mr. Lin, that you established a non-profit organization with a core purpose of research and education."

"Based on this, our team specifically consulted the land and tax regulations of Wyoming, and we found a clause that can be perfectly utilized."

He projected the highlighted part of a legal document onto the screen.

"According to Wyoming regulations section 39-11-105, property owned and operated by a non-profit organization primarily for educational purposes can be exempt from property tax."

"Now, let’s compare the legal definitions of the two proposals." Li Wenbo’s logic was as clear as a knife.

"Mr. Hammond’s underwater glass tunnel, although highly spectacular, will almost inevitably be defined as an entertainment facility by the tax assessment department legally."

"This means not only can’t it enjoy tax exemptions, but it will also have to pay high commercial real estate taxes annually due to its high construction costs."

A slight curve appeared on his lips, "However, our proposed observation mountain, we can define its official name as a scientific research observation station."

"All of its designs will revolve around research and education, with educational display panels inside providing teaching space... It will be perfectly defined as an educational facility."

"Under the premise of achieving the same observation purpose, our proposal not only has lower construction costs and is easier to maintain."

"More importantly, it allows the entire Arctic Home project to legally save hundreds of thousands, even millions of US Dollars in property taxes every year in the future."

This is the pinnacle of the collision of Eastern and Western thinking.

The Americans, starting from animal psychology and visitor experience, created a fantastical ideal.

While the Chinese found a smarter, more sustainable realistic path for this ideal starting from engineering realization, operating costs, and deep utilization of local policy regulations.

"Alright, next topic, the backstage medical center." Lin Yu’an’s pace didn’t pause, he directly pointed out the divergence.

"Both teams have designed it underground, but Mr. Hammond’s plan appendix mentioned concerns about biological safety, while Li Gong’s plan emphasizes cost and efficiency more."

"Now, I’d like to hear the reasons from each side."

This time, Li Gong spoke first, "Mr. Lin, our logic is simple, efficiency and cost."

"Building the medical center underground, directly connected to the animals’ backstage rest area, can maximize the shortening of the transfer distance and time for animals under anesthesia."

"This is the safest, most efficient design, and it can also maximize the use of land and shared structures, making the construction cost the lowest."

Hammond immediately raised an objection.

"I completely disagree." His tone was very resolute, "Li Gong’s proposal ignores the most critical issue—biological safety isolation."

"A top-tier medical center, in the future, will not only serve December and Amber. As you expect, Mr. Lin, it will become a regional central hospital."

"This means that it might receive diseased animals carrying unknown pathogens from other zoos, or even from the wild, in the future."

"If we build this hospital and the healthy animals’ home in the same underground building, any cross-infection will result in catastrophic consequences."

He presented his plan diagram, "PGAV suggests building a completely independent polar animal medical and research building at another separate location five hundred meters away from the main Arctic Home structure."

"This building will have its independent air circulation system, water treatment system, and personnel disinfection channel. It will be connected to Arctic Home via a dedicated fully enclosed animal transfer passage."

"Although this approach will significantly increase construction costs and land development costs, with an initial estimate requiring an additional budget of at least four million US Dollars, and the construction period extended by at least two months."

Hammond’s tone was full of awe for science, "However, this is the only solution that ensures the entire park reaches the highest Biosafety Level (BSL-3). In the field of life sciences, safety is always more important than cost and efficiency."

This was another typical collision of thinking.

The Chinese focus on integration, efficiency, and economy.

While the Americans believe in independence, redundancy, and grading.

With the last topic presentation concluded, the nearly two-hour-long high-intensity information barrage of the proposal presentation phase finally ended.

The meeting room fell into a long silence.

All eyes focused on the one person who could make the final decision.

Lin Yu’an quietly leaned back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table surface.

His mind was like a supercomputer, rapidly processing the enormous stream of information just now, weighing the pros and cons behind each proposal.

Every decision to be made next will profoundly affect the ultimate direction of this grand project costing nearly fifty million US Dollars, as well as the future quality of life for December and Amber.

After a long time, he finally slowly sat up straight, his gaze sweeping over everyone on the screen.

"Gentlemen, thank you for your extremely excellent work. After listening to all the proposals, I have made a decision."

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(*****Vote for **)