TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

'We're Here Watching Change Around Us'

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

Updated: 02/07/2008 08:11 pm

DOWNTOWN - Born and raised in Tampa, Ty Rodriguez lived in New York City for a while. When he moved back to Tampa almost five years ago, he eventually bought a home in Seminole Heights.

When his marriage broke up, he looked for a place close to Mise en Place, the Kennedy Boulevard restaurant where he's general manager. He doesn't walk to work from The Residences of Franklin Street, 1108 N. Franklin St., where he moved in November. He does like to skateboard downtown and ride his bicycle, though.

Rodriguez learned about The Residences because his mother, Cynthia, has worked for 20 years for Lou Prida Jr., who built the 40-unit complex next door to his accounting office. Rodriguez said he did his homework on urban living; he wanted a safe, friendly environment for his two children, ages 2 and 5, whom he has custody of on weekends.

"This is a boutique condo building," said Rodriguez, 35. "The rooms are big, and the amenities are what I was looking for."

Beside the heated swimming pool on the eighth floor and the fitness room, he likes the personal service offered by Prida, a third-generation Tampa resident.

"Lou takes great pride in this building," he said. "He's not a massive developer. This is his one and only effort."

Rodriguez said the north end of Franklin Street is becoming a tight-knit community.

"We're getting to know each other in the different units and see others on the street," he said.

He would like a grocery store nearby and dry cleaners in his end of downtown. He has praise for the pioneer spirit of Leslie Shirah, who opened Fly Bar & Restaurant next door to The Residences a year ago.

"Good for her," he said. "And good for us because we're here watching change around us."

Janis D. Froelich

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT