SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Central Florida Zoo is asking Seminole County for nearly $1.5 million to expand its property.
Zoo officials want to build an African safari attraction on 16 acres to the west of the zoo near Interstate 4 and Lake Monroe.
WFTV's Tim Barber asked zoo officials if they think the county would get a return on its investment.
"It is going to be very similar with the rolling hills to some degree, and then the plains, and then the mixed species of animals," said Joe Montisano, Central Florida Zoo CEO.
The idea is to make an African safari and expand on the zoo's 400 animals.
Montisano is also hoping the expansion would bring in even more than the 260,000 people who already visit the zoo every year.
The only problem is the 16 acres costs nearly $1.5 million, so zoo officials are looking to Seminole County for help.
If the county approves the money, it would come from tourist taxes.
"It will certainly double or triple the amount of money that it brings into the county in tourism basically," said Montisano.
Sixteen acres is more than four times the size of the current parking lot. The new section is going in just on the other side of it.
Susan Virgilio said she would love to see it happen for her 6-year-old grandson Kenny and to help local businesses.
"Anything to promote business is a good idea," said Virgilio.
Montisano still doesn't know what the safari ride will look like, or even how much it could cost but he assures the construction would be paid for by the zoo
.
The Seminole County Commission will discuss the funding at its July 24 meeting.
WFTV
