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Dale Mabry By The Numbers

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By JACK HARRIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 3, 2008

Have you ever had to go to a location on Dale Mabry Highway using only a numerical address to find it? Our perspicacious reader Dennis Ryan did and found the building numbers very inconspicuous; in fact downright vexing. They seem nonexistent at times.

He went on to point out how dangerous it is to have people driving on this already treacherous thoroughfare at the same time they are squinting frantically at the business places trying desperately to find an address.

I asked Jack Slater, who is in charge of the code enforcement department for Tampa, and he sent me a copy of the ordinance requiring numbers on buildings. They are mandatory, and the pertinent section reads thusly, "...the numbers shall consist of dark numerals on a light background or light numerals on a dark background and shall be at least three (3) inches in height and shall be attached to or painted on or above the front entrance of the building or some conspicuous place so as to be plainly and readily visible from the street or avenue on which the entrance is located."

There are problems with this ordinance. First and foremost is that three inches is about the size of the second finger on an average-sized hand. It is very difficult to ascertain from a car moving at 30 to 40 mph from a distance of anywhere from 25 to 50 feet or more.

Even Slater agreed that finding addresses on Dale Mabry is a problem. But it's a dilemma on just about every other roadway in our area, from U.S. 19 in Pinellas County to 50th Street in Temple Terrace.

In the meantime, maybe council should revisit the ordinance and dictate larger numerals in the future. Foot-high would make them far more readable.

Staycation Capital

On Labor Day weekend, I took the opportunity to engage in the newest hot trend known as the "staycation." It means staying at home during one's vacation. It's becoming quite popular because of the escalating cost of travel, either by highway or air.

Actually I've been engaging in the practice for years, but we didn't have a clever moniker for it. It was just known as exploring and enjoying the Suncoast.

This time, my staycation consisted of trips to Sarasota and St. Pete Beach, which were delightful. It made me think about how lucky we are that we live in the best staycation destination possibly on the whole planet. There is so much diversity, from the beaches to the interior destinations such as Mount Dora and Dade City, from a Disney daytrip to Tarpon Springs, from Ybor City to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

Jocularly,

Jack

Jack Harris co-hosts AM Tampa Bay from 6 to 9 weekday mornings on WFLA-AM.

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