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As sun sinks, Tampa shrinks

New census data show that the city's population swells during the day but drops at night.

By JUSTIN GEORGE
Published October 22, 2005

TAMPA - Ederny Arismendis didn't need new U.S. census numbers to tell him that the population of Tampa swells like a balloon during the day.

He can just look out his downtown storefront window.

Arismendis can watch the city deflate into a "ghost town" in the late afternoon as he hammers soles and shines shoes at Reina Shoe Repair on East Twiggs Street.

"Rush hour is lunchtime between 11:30 and 2:30," Arismendis said. "After that? We're fishing."

Among the 38 U.S. cities with a population between 250,000 and nearly 500,000, Tampa ranks second behind Atlanta for cities that have the biggest surge of people during business hours.

Tampa's population increases 48 percent. St. Petersburg, in contrast, grows 1 percent. Clearwater's population increases 14 percent.

The numbers reinforce the obvious: Tampa is Tampa Bay's economic engine. But they also show that commuters affect the city's roads and services.

St. Petersburg, on the other hand, has achieved an equilibrium, according to one official, meaning that city services are in a better position to handle its population, day or night. Its one-job-to-one-resident ratio is a good quality-of-life indicator.

But the numbers are a snapshot of the past.

Tampa's future boasts the development of nearly 10,000 homes within 26 approved apartment, townhouse or condo projects.

The census numbers, released this week, are based on 2000 figures and estimate daytime populations across the country.

They show, for instance, that Inverness is a major Citrus County job center, while Wesley Chapel is a bedroom community that shrinks by nearly half during the business day.

At the extreme end is Lake Buena Vista, pop. 16, which grows to 30,774 - or 192,238 percent - during the day. It is home to Walt Disney World.

While Tampa doesn't empty out as dramatically in the evening, downtown business owners complain that its sidewalks pack up too early.

Senaf Pickhardt, who owns the Sodie's Inc. hot dog stand on Franklin Street, has a city permit to operate from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. She doesn't mind the quick hook. After 2:30 p.m., she said, "It's empty."

David Hudson, executive vice president of the Congress for New Urbanism, which advocates the development of more balanced, pedestrian-friendly communities, said cities need to reverse the suburban flight that has occurred in the past five decades by encouraging mixed-use development and the growth of entertainment districts and services.

"It's an investment that's worth it," Hudson said.

Having people living and working in the city means safer streets, less traffic, less wear on roads and more tax money, he said.

St. Petersburg's balanced population, said Don Shea, president and chief executive officer of St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, is a "very good thing." It means there are enough roads, police officers, and sanitation, water and sewer services in the city day and night, he said.

And most city services are paid for by property taxes, which commuters don't pay. Having too many day-trippers means property owners are picking up their bill.

While the numbers point out how many out-of-town commuters use Tampa's roads, many cities still covet the sales tax revenue and jobs that Tampa enjoys.

"The city of Tampa is an employment center for a very large range," said Jim Hosler, research director for the Hillsborough County-City Planning Commission. "But you don't need that data to know it. You just have to stand over a bridge in the morning to see that."

Back at Reina Shoe Repair in downtown Tampa, owner Arismendis looks forward to the day when all those commuters decide to plant roots in the city and stay at night. "In two years, we hope to be doubly busy," he said, as tins of Kiwi shoe polish sit idly around a shoeshine stand.

He laughs when he talks about how the two restaurants that sandwich his shop close by 3 p.m., while he continues to cut heels and patch leather for bankers, judges and business people.

"We're one of the late ones," he said.

When his workday is done, he closes up and heads home to Brandon.

Justin George can be reached at 813 226-3368 or jgeorge@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 22, 2005, 01:13:18]