Hillsborough County Commissioners approve $75M funding agreement with ZooTampa

Upgrades are on the way for ZooTampa after Hillsborough County Commissioners narrowly approved a $75 million funding agreement.The $150 million project will include a zoo expansion, upgrades to existing animal habitats, and adding new attractions.Under the agreement, Hillsborough County would provide ZooTampa with $75 million in Community Investment Tax (CIT) funds.The county will contribute $5 million annually over the next 15 years. The money is generated from Hillsborough County's half-cent sales tax. County approves $75 million funding agreement with ZooTampaThe proposal narrowly passed with a 4-3 vote on Wednesday.ZooTampa Chief Zoological Officer Chris Massaro said the expansion includes adding a South America section on 14 acres of property near Lowry Park. He said the public currently cannot access the property. "Well be going across North Boulevard into Lowry Park. Its a section of the park that currently theres a city maintenance facility that sits on it, so we wont be impact