HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County commissioners are set to take the second of three votes on a major funding initiative that would help pay for sweeping upgrades at ZooTampa.
In September, commissioners approved $75 million in Community Investment Tax, or CIT, funds for the zoo.
The money would be used to renovate and expand animal enclosures, visitor areas, and buildings, including some parts of the zoo that have not seen major upgrades since the 1980s.
The funding would not be a direct giveaway. Under the proposed contract, ZooTampa would be required to match the county’s $75 million contribution dollar for dollar, bringing the total investment to $150 million.
ZooTampa Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer Mark Haney said the project would focus on some of the zoo’s oldest areas, including the tiger and primate habitats, Australia and Africa sections.
Those areas would receive upgraded enclosures, expanded habitats, and improved spaces for visitors. Renderings also show a major expansion across the street toward the Hillsborough River.
The planned South America section would be built on a 28-acre city-owned maintenance property and could include habitats for jaguars, giant river otters, sea lions, and birds such as Inca terns.
The expansion would also feature a new shopping and dining district. Haney said the full project would unfold over about 15 years.
“The planning stages will begin immediately,” Haney said. “That will be in 2027. And then we’ll start probably construction and the first part of it in 2028. And then culminating with South America towards the end of the 15-year period.”
ZooTampa recently completed another major project, the Florida Waters area, which opened in March.
That $35 million project included upgrades to the manatee rescue and critical care center, Otter Oasis, Reptile Amphibian Discovery and Stingray Shores. Zoo leaders say the priority for the upcoming renovations will be animal care and improved enclosures.
They say larger and better-designed spaces will allow more animals to be visible to guests, give staff more room to care for animals, and help expand the zoo’s education, volunteer and conservation programs. If commissioners approve the funding contract, the agreement would still need to clear one final step: a public hearing and final vote scheduled for Oct. 21.