ZooTampa Gets Green Light for $150M Expansion With $75M County Funding

• ZooTampa at Lowry Park is advancing a $150 million, 15-year transformation at 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, FL 33604, backed by up to $75 million in Hillsborough County funding.

• The master plan includes major upgrades to the Asia and Africa exhibits, a new Australia family attraction and a large South America expansion along the Hillsborough River.

• ZooTampa draws approximately 1.2 million visitors annually, while the zoo says its broader transformation could increase its direct economic activity in Hillsborough County to $274 million.

What ZooTampa Is Planning

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is moving forward with one of its largest capital programs after Hillsborough County commissioners voted to advance a deal providing up to $75 million in Community Investment Tax funds. The county money is not an upfront payment. Under the proposed structure, funding would be released as eligible projects move forward, with the zoo expected to match the public investment through fundraising, operating revenue and other sources.

ZooTampa President and CEO Joe Couceiro called the approval a major milestone, saying the organization remains committed to becoming a “premiere conservation organization and Florida’s most-attended cultural institution.”

 

 

What The $150M Master Plan Includes

The transformation will span approximately 15 years and reshape several existing areas of the 68-acre zoo. The biggest component is a proposed South America realm, which would expand the zoo across North Boulevard toward the Hillsborough River. Plans call for habitats for species including jaguars and giant river otters, along with restaurants, event venues, additional entrances and a new connection between the zoo and riverfront. The existing Asia section is also slated for larger, more naturalistic habitats for endangered species including orangutans and tigers. Africa would receive expanded multi-species habitats and new viewing areas for its African elephants.

What The Investment Means For Tampa

The expansion comes as Tampa Bay continues to benefit from a large visitor economy. Hillsborough County recorded $6 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025, supporting nearly 62,000 local jobs, according to Visit Tampa Bay. ZooTampa itself attracts roughly 1.2 million visitors annually, making the attraction an important piece of Tampa's broader tourism and entertainment ecosystem. The zoo has previously estimated that its transformation could increase its direct economic activity in Hillsborough County by 42% to $274 million. For nearby landlords and commercial property owners, a larger regional attraction can translate into additional visitor traffic, spending and demand for surrounding retail, restaurants, hospitality and entertainment uses.

What Has Already Been Built

ZooTampa's transformation is already underway. Recent investments include Stingray Shores, improvements to the Australia habitat and the Florida Waters exhibit, which includes a major manatee rehabilitation facility and underwater viewing areas. The zoo also completed a separate $33 million Guardians of Wildlife fundraising campaign supporting Florida Waters and other conservation initiatives. The next phase moves the focus toward larger capital projects, including the South America expansion and additional upgrades throughout the park.

What Comes Next

The Hillsborough County Commission has authorized county officials to continue negotiating the final agreement with ZooTampa. The $75 million commitment is therefore not an upfront award, and final terms remain subject to the completed public-private partnership agreement. The project is also competing for attention within a broader pipeline of major Tampa-area capital needs, with other cultural and sports institutions seeking county funding. For real estate investors, the bigger takeaway is the scale of investment being directed toward Tampa's tourism and entertainment infrastructure. ZooTampa's planned expansion adds another long-term destination investment to a market already seeing substantial visitor and development activity.