Hillsborough leaders OK $75M for ZooTampa expansion

The Hillsborough County Commission agreed Wednesday to provide ZooTampa at Lowry Park with $75 million in public money, advancing an ambitious plan to renovate and remodel much of the zoo over the next 15 years. 

The money comes from the county’s Community Investment Tax — a half-cent sales tax used to finance public facilities and infrastructure projects. ZooTampa says it plans to combine the money received from the CIT with private donations and park revenue to pay for an estimated $150 million master planned makeover. 

Commissioners gave county officials the go-ahead on Wednesday to finish negotiating the agreement with the zoo. Terms of a final agreement are not yet available. 

ZooTampa President and CEO Joe Couceiro says the commission’s approval is a major milestone in the nonprofit's efforts to become a “premiere conservation organization and Florida’s most-attended cultural institution.”

“We are profoundly grateful for the trust placed in us and remain committed to being exceptional stewards of these resources for the residents of Hillsborough County,” Couceiro says in a release. 

The zoo’s plans call for extensive renovations to its Asia and Africa sections, the addition of a new attraction in its Australia area and, eventually, a major expansion of the park across North Boulevard toward the Hillsborough River. 

A proposed South America section is the centerpiece of that expansion, adding habitats for animals from the continent along with restaurants, special event venues and additional entrances to Lowry Park. Early plans for the expansion envision special habitats for animals such as jaguars and giant river otters, as well as a new connection between the zoo and the riverfront. 

The zoo’s existing Asia section will be modernized with larger, naturalistic habitats that immerse guests into exhibits for some of the world’s most endangered species, including orangutans and tigers, the zoo says. In Africa, the park plans to build expanded multi-species habitats that give visitors new views of its African elephants and other animals. 

Plans for the Australia section of the park call for the addition of a new family ride designed for visitors of all ages, the zoo says. 

ZooTampa first unveiled its plans to reinvent the park in 2022, initially estimating the overhaul would cost about $125 million. That was before the proposal included additions to the Australia habitat. Since then, the zoo has raised its projected investment to $150 million and shortened the timeline for the project from roughly 20 years to 15. 

ZooTampa has already completed some key components of its broader transformation, including the addition of Stingray Shores, renovations to the Australia habitat and the introduction of the Florida Waters exhibit. The latter, which opened earlier this year, includes an expansive manatee rehabilitation area, underwater viewing of the animals for guests and other exhibits devoted to native otters, jellyfish, reptiles and amphibians. 

According to the release, ZooTampa completed a separate, $33 million private fundraising effort called the Guardians of Wildlife Campaign to pay for the creation of the Florida Waters exhibit, along with other conservation projects. 

Hillsborough County commissioners began discussing ZooTampa’s request for CIT money in the spring. Initially, the zoo had hoped to receive as much as $75 million from the county over its 15-year buildout, or about $5 million annually with the zoo matching the public investment. 

However, the zoo’s request came to the commission at the same time that several other prominent Tampa institutions were also eyeing the county’s CIT funds, leaving ZooTampa’s plan to compete with calls for improvements to Raymond James Stadium, Benchmark International Arena and George M. Steinbrenner Field as well as a proposed Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. 

ZooTampa describes itself as Florida’s most-attended cultural institution. More than 1.2 million people visit the zoo annually, according to its website. 

“This funding comes at a pivotal moment for ZooTampa,” Couceiro says in the release. “With CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) dollars not available in our area to reinforce our sustainability, the county’s investment with the zoo’s match ensures we can continue advancing critical wildlife conservation, expanding educational opportunities for families, and strengthening our role as a cultural and economic anchor for our community.”