Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

A while ago a friend of mine was asked to help draft a mailer for apartment residents. He wanted the ad to demonstrate how one could own a home or condo for not much more than they spent in rent. It took some very “creative math” to accomplish the goal, and the mailer never got sent, since it was obviously a waste of time.

It turns out that rent has not risen anywhere near as fast as home prices in the bay area. Rental managers found that unlike buyers, renters don’t have the income to accommodate higher prices. As the value of homes recently increased, rent has not. This is part of what triggered the recent condo conversion boom. Those who could afford to buy were making quite a bit of money over the past few years, while those couldn’t have missed out.

While the elected bodies in the immediate area have largely ignored the issue, people down in Sarasota are trying to do something about it.  Herald writer Dale White says developers are not totally opposed to the idea, as long as they get something out of it. They point to Manatee County’s successes with a similar project.

I wonder what Tampa’s downtown skyline would look like if developers required to make 10% of the units really “affordable”?

I bet we’ll never know.

I’m sure you know the Tampa Bay Lightning is playing the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Each year, the great hockey blog Off-Wing Opinion allows readers to send in predictions for Stanley Cup glory.  When I checked last Thursday, no one had picked Tampa Bay.  So, what with me being such a homer, I officially picked the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup (see left sidebar).

Sometime after seeing my bold prediction, Matt Fenwick, of Flames/Oilers blog The Battle of Alberta also picked the Bolts to win it all (this statement is completely untrue – Matt picked the Lightning to win it all at the beginning of the season).

Anyway, the series is now tied at one game apiece, and I have much better faith in my prediction today than I did on Saturday.

Games 3 and 4 are in Tampa Tuesday and Thursday.

Go Bolts!

100 years ago…

April 24, 1906 – The Tampa Box Company announces plans to build a larger box manufacturing plant on Twenty-first Street and Second Avenue. The company, which made almost all of the cigar boxes for Tampa’s cigar factories, had outgrown its old building with the incredible growth of the cigar industry. The Tampa Box Company’s building is currently undergoing a large-scale renovation and conversion to loft apartments.

Courtesy of the Tampa Bay History Center.

Two more months to live it up in Tampa. I’ve been a Florida resident since 1981 (minus four years spent in Boston) and do believe I’ve done all there is to do here.

Or have I?

Theme parks and nudist resorts. Lowry Park Zoo and Bo’s Ice Cream. MOSI, Gasparilla Arts Festival and the Dali Museum. Beaches and outdoor concert series. Beastie Boys at Jannus Landing. Armani’s, The Columbia Restaurant and Bern’s.

I’ve Worn. Ybor. City. Out.

What about the rest of Florida? I survived road trips to Key West, Miami, and St. Augustine. Blew too much money in Boca. Enjoyed Tallahassee and threw up in Gainesville. Sounds about right.

Let’s see…

Haven’t done Wednesday night at Pegasus yet. What about a surgical experience at St. Joe’s - maybe hernia repair or something fun like that? I gotta get me some of that NakeDan the Handyman. Been meaning to hit St. Pete.

What else should I do before heading west?

***Cross-Posted at Out in Left Field***

100 years ago…

April 23, 1906 – Tampa’s first steel-hull ship is launched from the Tampa Foundry. This important event was the beginning of a long-standing history of shipbuilding at the Port of Tampa, with the high mark coming during World War II.

Courtesy of the Tampa Bay History Center.

105 years ago…

April 22, 1901 – Tampa’s amateur baseball team loses the rubber game in its series against the “Conchs” of Key West. The game, which was postponed for one day for an unknown reason by Sheriff William T. Lesley, was a high-scoring affair, ending after the Key West team broke an 8 – 8 tie in the top of the ninth inning. The Tampa Tribune noted that, “competent sporting men say that more money changed hands on the game than on the entire series of race meets (horse races) of the winter.”

Courtesy of the Tampa Bay History Center.

It appears the case against Federal agent and Fishhawk Ranch resident Frank Figueroa is winding down. He pleaded no contest and will be sentenced next month. Until then he is free on bail with orders from the judge to:

stay away from malls, public shopping areas and the victim.

Because it isn’t young girls that get him going but instead retail locations.

I wonder sometimes what are the warning signs of this behavior.

Yesterday I was walking alongside a 50 year old man that I work with but don’t know well. We passed a couple of girls in college cheerleader uniforms. He couldn’t help telling me what he’d like to do with them. Now he didn’t get graphic and he didn’t whip it out right there, but still.

I mentioned that they looked to be about 15 years old and he immediately pointed out they had to be legal if they went to college. Well yes, although that really wasn’t my point. Does anybody else think this constitutes at the very least odd behavior? Am I just a bit prudish?

Should I be worried if he goes to the mall?

Yesterday, the Tampa City Council gave preliminary approval to two new condominium towers by Novare-Intown, the developers of Skypoint.

Each of these new towers will be 34 stories, and are on the two open parking lots immediately north of Skypoint and the TECO building.  On the west lot, Novare plans a 445-foot building with 400 units; on the east lot, a 460-foot tower with 405 units. 

Both buildings are will be “affordable,” but the east building is expected to cost a bit more.

Novare is pleased with the response to Skypoint and wants to move quickly with the two new towers.  City Council is awaiting renderings of the two buildings before offering final approval, expected on May 4.

90 years ago…

April 21, 1916 – Over 500 people gather at the Odd Fellows’ Hall to honor Blanche Armwood Perkins (better known simply as Blanche Armwood). The all African American audience were particularly proud of the work Armwood did with the School of Household Arts she founded, with the help of the Tampa Gas Company, in 1915. Armwood continued with her distinguished educational career, rising to the post of “Superintendent for Colored Schools” with the Hillsborough County School Board. Armwood High School is named in her honor.

Courtesy of the Tampa Bay History Center.