Hillsborough Advances $75M for ZooTampa's 15-Year, $150M Expansion

Hillsborough County commissioners voted 4-3 on October 7 to move forward with a $75 million funding agreement for ZooTampa at Lowry Park, part of a $150 million, 15-year plan to rebuild the zoo's oldest areas and add a new South America section. A public hearing and final vote are scheduled for October 21 Bay News 9.

What Happened

The October 7 vote was the second on the agreement. Commissioners narrowly approved the proposal in September, also 4-3 Bay News 9. Commissioners Cohen, Hagan and Myers voted against it Tampa Bay 28.

Reports describe the status differently. FOX 13 reported that commissioners approved the $75 million on Wednesday FOX 13, while Bay News 9 and Tampa Bay 28 reported that the vote advances the agreement toward a public hearing and final vote on October 21 Tampa Bay 28. Until that hearing, the deal should be treated as advancing rather than final.

How the Money Works

• County share: $75 million from Community Investment Tax funds, generated by the county's half-cent sales tax FOX 13.
• Payment schedule: $5 million a year through 2041 FOX 13.
• Zoo match: ZooTampa must match the county dollar for dollar with another $75 million from revenue and private donors Tampa Bay 28.
• Total program: $150 million over 15 years FOX 13.

The county's $75 million is $25 million more than the roughly $50 million originally set aside for all cultural institutions Bay News 9. Commissioner Ken Hagan said he could not approve $75 million when only $50 million had been designated, and favored a more modest amount so the county could partner with other institutions Tampa Bay 28. The Florida Aquarium, Glazer Children's Museum, Straz Center, Tampa Bay History Center and Tampa Theatre have also requested a combined $90 million or so; supporters of the zoo deal note those institutions can draw on Community Redevelopment Agency money and the zoo cannot Bay News 9.

The Scope of Work

The plan targets areas that have not been renovated since the 1980s Bay News 9. Reported elements include:

• Updates to the Primate and Asia areas and an expanded elephant habitat FOX 13.
• Mixed-species habitats in the Africa section and a family coaster in the Australia section FOX 13.
• A new South America section across North Boulevard on a 14-acre city-owned maintenance property, with habitats for jaguars, giant river otters and giant anteaters, plus dining, event venues and public access points to Lowry Park and the Hillsborough River Bay News 9.
• An event courtyard, a jaguar flooded forest exhibit and a restaurant within the South America area, which would be built in two phases FOX 13.

The green space around the existing Lowry Park building will remain, and ZooTampa will continue maintaining the park's bathrooms and boat ramp FOX 13.

Timeline

Mark Haney, ZooTampa's senior vice president and chief external affairs officer, said planning would begin immediately, with work starting in 2027 and first-phase construction likely in 2028. The South America section would come toward the end of the 15-year program Bay News 9. The request follows the spring opening of Florida Waters, a $35 million project funded by private fundraising, state money and county support Bay News 9. The zoo draws about 1.2 million visitors a year FOX 13.

Implications for Owners, Developers, Contractors and Subs

• A long, steady pipeline. Fifteen years of phased work funded at $5 million a year from the county, plus a matching share, means repeat opportunities rather than one large bid.
• Specialty scope. Animal habitats, water features, life support systems and rides call for specialty subcontractors alongside conventional site, concrete and building trades.
• Work around a live venue. Renovating an operating attraction with about 1.2 million annual visitors requires careful phasing, safety planning and public separation.
• Watch the cultural funding pool. Other Tampa institutions are seeking about $90 million. How the county allocates the rest of its cultural money will shape future renovation work across the city.

What to Watch

• The October 21 public hearing and final vote.
• Release of ZooTampa's detailed master plan during the coming year.
• Design and construction procurement for the first phase ahead of a 2028 start.

Bottom Line

Hillsborough County is one vote away from committing $75 million to a $150 million rebuild of ZooTampa. If it passes on October 21, the zoo will spend the next year planning, with construction phased from 2028 through 2041.

Image credit: ZooTampa rendering of the planned event courtyard. Image from the source article. Tampa Bay 28.

Sources

• Bay News 9, Hillsborough County moves closer to $75M funding agreement for ZooTampa upgrades: https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2026/10/07/hillsborough-county-to-consider-m-funding-agreement-for-zootampa-upgrades
• FOX 13 Tampa Bay, ZooTampa gets $75M in county funding for major expansion and upgrades: https://www.fox13news.com/news/zootampa-hillsborough-county-funding-major-expansion-upgrades
• Tampa Bay 28, ZooTampa moves closer to $75 million funding agreement with Hillsborough County for expansion and upgrades: https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/zootampa-moves-closer-to-75-million-funding-agreement-with-hillsborough-county-for-expansion-and-upgrades