Metro Detroiters have a month to visit the historic Belle Isle Aquarium before it closes.

AQUARIUM Location: On Belle Isle Park, off Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday Admission: $4 per adult (ages 13 to 62), $3 for children ages 2 to 12, children under 2 are free. YOUR TURN: What Do You Think Of Aquarium Closing?

The city of Detroit and the Detroit Zoological Institute have decided to close the 101-year-old aquarium April 3, despite efforts by a private group to raise funds.

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick announced the closure as part of a $230 million budget shortfall. The closing will save more than $530,000 in annual expenses to keep the aquarium operable and suitable for animals and visitors, the mayor's office said.

"Neither the city nor the Zoological Institute want to close the Belle Isle Aquarium," said Kilpatrick. "However, the city is faced with serious financial challenges, which means difficult decisions must be made. This administration is committed to taking the necessary steps to assure a bright future for Detroit.

The aquarium has also experienced a decline in attendance over the years with 113,000 visitors in 1995 compared to 56,000 visitors in 2004, according to the mayor's office. The mayor's office says that taxpayers fund about $10 for every visitor to the aquarium, compared to $2 for every visitor of the Detroit Zoo.

"The closing of this unique and beautiful building with such a rich history is hard, especially considering the outstanding conservation work that we've accomplished," said Ron Kagan, Director of the Detroit Zoological Institute. "We hope that the building will be restored in some sort of museum format."

The Detroit Zoological Institute will continue to develop the new Belle Isle Nature Zoo. The zoo will include several freshwater aquariums, along with an amphitheater and exhibits with indoor and outdoor viewing of Michigan wildlife. The first construction phase of new exhibits will open this year, according to the mayor's office. The zoo will be open rear-round upon its completion.

The aquarium was initially scheduled to close in March, but a private group -- Friends of the Belle Isle Aquarium -- said they were told they could keep the site open if they could raise $500,000. The group was given a 60-day extension in February to establish a fund-raising plan. According to its web site, FOBIA plans to meet Friday night at the Coffee Beanery in Ferndale, located at Nine Mile and Woodward.