Our Predictions for 2006

At this time of year, everyone likes to make predictions about the New Year, so why should we be any different. Here goes:

1. The Real Estate Market. The incredible explosion of prices that happened in 2005 cannot continue, but don't look for any big collapse either. While some of the speculative projects will disappear, buyers will be there to step in. BUT the gravy train is over. We hear stories of high end Bayshore Blvd. projects seeing some significant price pressures. Remember there does come a time when someone has to put their name on these properties and either stroke a check or take out a mortgage. The market for high end condos will be gasping a bit, and prices will not be rising as fast, but overall the real estate market will move along in a positive direction in 2006. Watch for homes to appreciate at around 7 % rates in 2006. The South of Gandy development will be getting everyone's attention.

2. Downtown Development - Mayor Iorio's plans for RiverWalk Park will start to take a more substantial role in downtown planning. The funds for this endeavor look like they will be found. The main developer - EDAW - knows what they are doing. Surprise of surprise will be the History Museum (to be located between Channelside and the Forum) as the main pivot point for this entire park plan. Watch for more attention to be placed on Tampa history. Intial construction should start for the Bishop/Wallace plans for reinvigorating the entire district spanning between downtown and Ybor. Downtown will be a totally different place by January 1, 2007 with lots more changes on the way.

3. Speaking of Museums - The Tampa Museum of Art will find themselves still struggling for a home. While the Cube building is currently being promoted, it will prove to be an expensive and undoable location. The museum will locate there only as a method of survival.

4. More Live Theatre in Tampa. The many local theatre groups will continue to find sponsorships and willing audiences. With prices considerably less than the big shows and with quality talent and the comfort of small theatres, watch for these groups to thrive. The co-operation between groups will intensify and the completion of new small theatres will helped to stimulate interest further. Stageworks, Gorilla Theatre, and TBPAC have shown what benefits come from working together.

5. The Power of Sports. To steal a line from the movie "Rollerball", "This isn't a game." Just because points are involved, don't think this is just a game - this is big business. The financial boost that the completed Hockey season, the winning Buccaneers, the Outback Bowl, and now booming USF Bulls football team will continue to have on Tampa will be extremely noticeable. AND for Those of you in the real know; to have the Manchester United owners (The Glazer family) involved in Tampa is an incredible boost to our prestige around the globe. (pay attention to our #6)

6. More Global Connections. From the original days of Henry Plant running a train to the docks to move Caribbean products to the north to what lies ahead, Tampa has been a city with international connections. The Glazers will be bringing more attention to Tampa from the European markets. Watch for charter flights to increase between St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport and European destinations; while in Tampa, watch for more flights to Mexico and Caribbean nations including Panama. And while on this subject, WIFI will be almost everywhere. The growth in computer usage will keep exploding. Almost all of downtown has free wifi now. The rest of the city will not be far behind as many businesses will find it a great way to attract customers. More here.

7. SOHO will start making Significant Changes. But the biggest changes will not really happen until 2007. The Citivest High Rise at DeSoto and Bayshore, the Bern's Hotel and Parking Garage, The Post Properties construction at Swann and Howard, and more townhouses sneaking in where possible. Changes to the building currently housing Sangrias/Cappy's will stay a topic of discussion, but no real changes in 2006. Watch for a few more national franchise names to sneak into the neighborhood.

8. YBOR will Continue to drift. The continual tug of war between the bar/restaurant owners (that draw people) and the daytime businesses(that don't draw people) will continue for at least another year. It will take at least another year before Ybor's shaky legs gain some strength. The completion of the direct roadway from the Port of Tampa to the Interstate will finally let the east side of Ybor provide the catalyst to really change directions and images. For you real estate investors, this might be the best place in town to be !

9. President Bush and Rhonda Storms. They will start to have more in common. President Bush will go through an impeachment trial that will stagnate his administration as they work to survive. Rhonda Storms will continue to be challenged as a result of her moral exuberance. Oh, and Brian Blair - who is he? In both cases, ideals of where and what our government should "be" and "not be" will be the real questions before us all. (We have to talk about the Governor's race - competitive - this will be a cliff hanger. The timing of the Bush impeachment trial will determine this race.)

10. WestChase What ? Sometime in 2006, Tampa residents will start to realize the growth that has already occured in West Chase and in Wesley Chapel. These booming areas are just outside the Tampa radar. But their impact is really large.

Biggest Tampa News in 2006 ? We think there will be lots to talk about, but the biggest event will be the emergence of the properties immediately east of downtown as a new real estate growth market. This battle between real estate developers and the port/shipping interests will start to heat up as they fight for turf.

That is what we think is ahead in 2006. What do you think ?