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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1571 |
| Business Redevelopment at Main Entrance to Lowry Park Zoo |
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| Requester: |
C. Lex Salisbury, President/CE |
Organization: |
Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa, Inc. |
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| Project Title: |
Business Redevelopment at Main Entrance to Lowry Park Zoo |
Date Submitted |
1/14/2005 4:20:26 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Crist |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The purpose of this Community Budget Request is to improve the business capacity of Lowry Park Zoo (the top-attended nonprofit attraction in Florida), and to enable Lowry Park Zoo to operate as a model of self-sufficiency as a nonprofit organization in the State of Florida. Lowry Park Zoo is the number one family-friendly zoo in the U.S. (Child magazine) and recognized by the State of Florida as a center for wildlife conservation and biodiversity (HB457). Lowry Park Zoo serves 860,000 annual visitors and 137,000 school-age children |
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| Recipient: |
Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa, Inc. |
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Contact: |
C. Lex Salisbury, President/CE |
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1101 W. Sligh Avenue |
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Contact Phone: |
(813) 244-0141 |
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Tampa, FL 33604 |
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Contact email: |
lex.salisbury@lowryparkzoo.com |
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| Counties: |
Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Lowry Park Zoo's main entrance is in vital need of renovation to help improve capacity to do business and accommodate continuing growth in attendance (projected from 860,000 now to more than 1,000,000 annual visitors as major capital developments are completed. Project includes: $450,000 to remodel current McDonald's walk-up food service to become Lowry Park Zoo owned and operated; $250,000 to remodel current 2,000 sq. ft. gift shop with addition; and $300,000 to remodel main zoo visitor entrance. |
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| Is this a project related to 2004 hurricane damage? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Annual food sales at the renovated front entrance is expected to increase from current $600,000 to $1,000,000. A new design for the main entrance gift shop will increase annual revenue from the gift shop by 25%. Remodeled main zoo visitor entrance will provide a more welcoming and secure atmosphere for visitors. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$1,000,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$3,000,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Private |
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Cash Amount |
$2,000,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Lowry Park Zoo's Strategic Plan; Economic Review by Economics Research Associates |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
01/19/2005 |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
