Tampa missing the artistic boat?
A departing company cites lack of an enclave for creative people as a reason.
By MADHUSMITA BORA, Times Staff Writer
Published July 24, 2007
For a virtual company, it's not all about cyberexistence.
So, when creative social networking and e-commerce company Oddpodz, couldn't snag an artistic enclave for its physical headquarters in Tampa, it decided to up and move.
What was Tampa's loss became a gain for Savannah, Ga.
Now, the 1-year-old company is readying for a new home at the old Chandler Hospital in downtown Savannah. The historic building is becoming an incubator of sorts for creative companies like Oddpodz.
"It all came down to the office environment and where we wanted to build our physical presence," said Karen Post, co-founder and CEO. "That was the clincher."
The location of the Savannah College of Art and Design near their new home also played into the decision to bid Tampa adieu, Post said.
Communities nationwide are showing interest in knowledge- or innovation-based economic development such as the one that is stirring up Savannah.
"Most places that are embracing this notion of (a) 21st century economy are looking at creative industries as a vital component of that," said Peter Kageyama, president of Creative Tampa Bay, an organization dedicated to enacting the principles of creative economy.
Unfortunately for Tampa, there isn't a single area or building where the artistic community has set up shop. And the city could be missing out on an important economic segment.
A recent Gallup study shows that the disposable income of artists, architects and others that drive innovation and create urban success touched $618-billion.
Post and the other co-founder, Jocelyn Ring, wanted to be in a stimulating environment where ideas could be bounced around. While in Tampa, the company eyed the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory for space.
Armory Partners Group of Tampa wanted to build a video, film and sound studio there. Tampa Digital Studio would have run the 80,000-square-foot building, sharing the space with other creative arts businesses, retail, restaurants and apartments - a perfect fit for Oddpodz.
But in the end, a hotel complex was deemed the best use for the complex. Last week, Tampa Digital Studio announced it's relocating administrative, operations and film/video production facility to Ybor City.
"If Tampa had that place, maybe we wouldn't have moved to Savannah," Post said.
Kageyama said a lot of people were disappointed with the Armory proposal.
"I think we need to start thinking of bringing the creative industry together," he said.
Some say the Oddpodz's departure isn't the end of the world.
"It's not a horrible strike against Tampa Bay," said Andy Hafer of the Tampa Bay Technology Forum. "It's not that we don't have creative folks here. What we don't have is a single place to go find these people in one place."
Times researcher John Martin contributed to this story. Madhusmita Bora can be reached at (813)225-3112 or mbora@sptimes.com
What is it? It's the MySpace of the creative world. Members include architects, artists, photographers, actors, writers, producers, chefs.
The site allows members to express themselves, showcase and market their work, and socialize and collaborate with creatives from around the world.
Founded: January 2006 in Tampa
Moved: To Savannah in May
Founders: Karen Post, Jocelyn Ring
Current members: 20,000
Employees: Four core employees and 10 contract workers. The company plans to add 20 core employees by year's end.
Amount of investment raised to date: $700,000