Aquarium, museum planned for Times Square

As if Times Square wasn't already enough of a zoo, New York City is about to get a few more wild inhabitants.

Toronto-based developer Jerry Shefsky recently announced his plans to introduce a $100 million, seven-story aquarium to Times Square. Shefsky, the head of Aquarium Developments Corp., has leased space at 11 Times Square Place, an unoccupied building next to The New York Times building and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Shefsky is no stranger to the aquarium business, having built the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky in 1999 and several other facilities around the world. He plans to turn the first four stories of the building into the aquarium itself, and the remaining floors into a pirate museum and marine life learning center.

The building, owned by SJP Properties, has been on the market since 2007 and received the first offer for occupancy from Shefsky in January. While Shefsky's plans are not finalized, the chances of adding the attraction to the already bustling tourist center are high.

But groups such as PETA have already voiced concern over the possible opening. Staunch opponents to any enclosure of animals in unfamiliar habitats, PETA thinks forcing marine animals to live in a skyscraper is an unnecessary and cruel measure.

"Fish are no different than other animals, and they will respond horribly to this environment," PETA representative Lynn Wathne said. "To put an aquarium in the middle of New York City is just an especially ridiculous idea."

Wathne and PETA had some suggestions for a safer and more humane alternative to Shefsky's proposed attraction.

"Instead of making just the top floors a marine life exhibit, we would propose that the entire space would become that, or something that does not endanger the welfare of animals," Wathne said. "Keeping animals in unnatural conditions, especially inside of a skyscraper, doesn't teach anyone anything."

The aquarium will break ground as soon as April and is expected to open in 2011. The aquarium will include sharks, penguins and traditional fish. While it is uncertain what impact this new addition will have on Times Square and the city in general, PETA is certain the opening will be hazardous for the animals involved.

"It is a sad and cruel proposal to open this aquarium," Wathne said. " We sincerely hope that it does not go forward."

Samantha Wilson is a contributing writer.