ZooTampa gets $75M in county funding for major expansion and upgrades

ZooTampa is preparing for a major transformation after Hillsborough County commissioners approved a $75 million investment in the zoo's capital improvement plans.The zoo will match the county funding, bringing the total investment to $150 million over the next 15 years.ZooTampa expansion planThe county's $75 million contribution will come from Community Investment Tax funds, which are generated through a half-cent sales tax.Under the agreement, the county will provide ZooTampa with $5 million annually through 2041.ZooTampa plans to use the money to upgrade existing habitats, including areas that date back to the 1980s.Planned improvements include upgrades to the zoo's Primate and Asia areas, in addition to an expanded elephant habitat and mixed-species habitats in the Africa section. The zoo also plans to add a family coaster in the Australia section.South America section One of the biggest additions will be a new South America section that will be built in two phases.The expansion wil