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East Tampa's Potential Is Shown In Study

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By KATHY STEELE

ksteele@tampatrib.com

Published: November 12, 2008

EAST TAMPA - A study by a Washington-based foundation found more people, more disposable income and a financially healthier East Tampa community than the one defined by 2000 U.S. Census data.

City redevelopment officials hope to use the study to persuade developers and financial institutions to take a new look at East Tampa's potential and invest in its future. The study also looked at the city overall as well as other community redevelopment areas, including Tampa Heights, Drew Park and Ybor City.

Using a method known as a "drilldown," information was gleaned from public and private records, including building permits, credit applications, utility hookups, sales taxes and the Internal Revenue Service.

"The data we have is real time, maybe a month's lag," said John Talmage, president of the not-for-profit Social Compact. "They're not 100 percent accurate, but they are trends."

Talmage presented the study recently to the city council, which serves as the Community Redevelopment Agency. On Nov. 21, he will be the speaker at a breakfast sponsored by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

Among the findings:

•The population of 35,420 is about 16 percent higher than most estimates, including Census projections.

•Total neighborhood income is $465.6 million, about 45 percent higher than the Census estimate of $312.1 million.

•There are 12,167 households, about 16 percent more than the 10,382 reported in the Census.

•First-time homebuyers had an average income of $51,176.

The study also concluded East Tampa lacks restaurants and clothing shops, meaning residents often have to leave the neighborhood for those services, Talmage said. An additional 98,000 square feet is available for restaurants and about 50,000 square feet for shops.

About 63 percent of East Tampa's housing units are owner-occupied, and about 17 percent of structures were repaired or rehabilitated in the past year.

"That's a tremendous indication of stability in the neighborhood," Talmage said.

The study was funded by Citicorp. The next step is to reach out to banks, real estate agents, developers and business owners looking for opportunities.

"We're going to roll it out to whoever will listen," said Ed Johnson, the city's East Tampa redevelopment manager.

DRILLING DOWN

Among the findings of an East Tampa study by the not-for-profit Social Compact foundation:

•Average household income is $38,273; the 2000 U.S. Census reported average income as $30,064

•Income per acre is $98,855; the Census reported income per acre as $87,806

•Median home sale value is $137,000; the Census reported the median value as $54,115

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce breakfast

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Nov. 21

WHERE: Chamber office, 615 Channelside Drive, Suite 108

CONTACT: The breakfast is free, but reservations are needed by Monday by calling Gloria Anthony at (813) 276-9414.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

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