Hillsborough County commissioners voted 5-2 Thursday to advance ZooTampa’s proposed $75 million deal, a 15-year, dollar-for-dollar partnership, while five other Tampa cultural institutions seek another $90 million from the county. Commissioners Harry Cohen and Ken Hagan voted no; Chris Boles, Christine Miller, Donna Cameron Cepeda, Gwen Myers and Joshua Wostal voted yes.
The 68-acre Lowry Park zoo, which draws about 1.2 million visitors a year and has operated on the western side of the city-owned park since 1957, would receive $5 million a year for 15 years. ZooTampa would match it with a $1 million annual endowment gift, $1 million to $2 million a year from operating income and a new capital campaign.
Commissioners began negotiations in April with instructions to pursue a one-for-one match with ZooTampa. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay History Center, Glazer Children’s Museum and Tampa Theatre then sought another $90 million, bringing the total requested by the six institutions to $165 million.
Cohen argued that the institutions should face the same standards, including city, state, federal and other public support they receive, while other commissioners backed finishing the ZooTampa negotiations and handling the others separately.
The Straz Center is seeking $40 million over eight years for electrical and life-safety systems, HVAC upgrades, hurricane hardening, accessibility and public-space improvements, while the Florida Aquarium wants $30 million over 10 years, including $16 million to finish funding its Sea Change expansion and additional money for its dome, wetlands exhibit and shark habitat.
The Tampa Bay History Center is asking for $10 million for a new Water Street entrance and portico and upgrades to the Lykes Atrium, museum store, outdoor areas, security and building systems. Glazer Children’s Museum wants $8 million over three years for renovations, accessibility and new or upgraded visitor experiences, while Tampa Theatre is seeking $2 million to restore the Duncan Auditorium, modernize plumbing and HVAC and add a two-story wing along Florida Avenue.
ZooTampa would spend $86 million of its $150 million program on a two-phase South America redevelopment, followed by $20 million for Asia, $6 million for an elephant and mixed-species project and $5 million for an Australia family coaster. Another $30 million would cover roofs, HVAC, fencing, lighting, restrooms and animal-support buildings, with $3 million reserved for planning and design.
Under the proposed payment schedule, up to $2 million of Hillsborough’s $5 million annual contribution could be advanced each year, with the balance reimbursed for eligible work. The county could use the renewed half-cent Community Investment Tax, Hillsborough’s long-term capital sales tax, to fund its share.
The tax’s 2024 framework set aside $545 million for community facilities, sports venues and related projects, although ZooTampa was not listed among the approved projects. The five other cultural requests still await county review.