Condo projects flood downtown

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The Tampa skyline is definitely a work in process.

And the work keeps on going and going and going.

Nine high-rise condos are expected to open in downtown Tampa this year and more than that are in the planning stages. But as quickly as buildings are going up questions remain about lofty prices that could render those condos a tough sell.

"It's an exciting time for downtown Tampa,'' said Paul Ayres with the Downtown Tampa Partnership. "They're going to improve our skyline. It's going to give Tampa a new image out there."

Part of that new image can be found at the intersection of Polk and Tampa streets were not one, but two condo complexes are going up. The downtown partnership reports that though less than 1,000 people live downtown right now, that number will double next year.

But other downtown residents said there are more construction workers than residents around.

"There are tons of empty ones which is a downfall for people who own and live in them," said Melanie Amendola, a downtown Tampa resident of what she said is a high number of empty condo units.

Still, developers insist units are selling. In fact, some are nearly sold out, according to the downtown partnership.

The next step, developers said is to encourage more retailers, like service-oriented businesses such as grocery stores, to locate downtown. Some developers are addressing the problem by opening small food marts in the condo complexes.

Realtors said most of the condo complexes will fill up but it may take longer before the downtown area is a true neighborhood.

"Actually it's been filling up a lot down here,'' said downtown resident Carly Policastra. "It's getting a lot busier."

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