County offices and their customers relocate during the RNC; some prefer the change

TAMPA - At the tail end of a short-lived move, workers with the Center for Development Services are starting to get used to work-life away from home.

They setup a makeshift office with paper signs, scotch tape, and desks made out of borrowed, battered tables.

It's enough to get by and continue doing business, even though it's a bit unusual for the customers.

"Little farther out then I'm used to, but I got to see a part of Tampa that I've never seen before," said Tim Dora, a contractor from Michigan working on a project in town.

He prefers the downtown county center where the offices usually are located.  Some customers went without realizing the county offices had moved.

"I came down and it's closed," said Oscar Williams who had to take care of some county business. "I didn't think the RNC would close down county offices, we got enough security to take care of that."

Peggy Smith, Director of the Center for Development Services, said many of the customers end up actually preferring the satellite office.

"Even if they had a little difficulty finding us, once they get here, we provide them with prompt service, they're very happy," Smith said.

In fact, we found more happy customers than hassled ones.

"I like this change because I'd rather not be downtown," said Angela Santiago, who makes a living taking care of permits for contractors. "The only downside is the Clerk of Court is not right here."

By the end of Friday, the dozens of satellite offices will return back to the county center in downtown Tampa. Smith says they'll be back up and running just like normal first thing Tuesday morning.