Pier Could Close in May 2013
On Thursday, city staff recommended closing the St. Petersburg Pier on May 31, 2013. Staff said the construction of "The Lens" is tentatively scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2015.
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The historic St. Petersburg Pier will likely close in May 2013 if contract negotiations and the process moves forward for the city to build "The Lens."
Opened in 1973, the inverted pyramid is scheduled to be shut down May 31, 2013. Chris Ballestra, with development, said that while the construction, design and permitting process is fluid, construction for "The Lens" is slated to end in the third quarter of 2015.
"It's important that we establish a date for closure," Ballestra said.
Following the closing, city staff said the tenants would have 45 days to move out. Demolition would follow with construction tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of 2014.
"We are looking at about an 18-month construction window," Ballestra added.
While staff proposed closing the Pier approach on the day it closes the pier, multiple Council members suggested keeping the approach open for fishing, biking and running until the official demolition of the pier begins.
"Is there a reason why the approach can’t stay open for fishing, jogging until we tear it down?" Council member Jeff Danner asked.
Staff said that is something to consider and it will continue to do so. The city could have huge liability issues with an ever-deteriorating approach and with the traffic of tenants moving out.
While contract negotiations continue with Michael Maltzan Architecutre for "The Lens," the city said it is trying to work with current tenants to help them relocate in the downtown area.
Ballestra said there are 28 businesses at the Pier. Council member Karl Nurse suggested the city look at the revitalization of the 600 block as a guide to relocating those 28 tenants.
"Let's see if we could duplicate the 600 block," Nurse said. "Have a couple dozen tenants, most of them might end up together. I encourage us to find somebody who owns and under-utilized block in the downtown area .... to take a dead block and breathe life into it."
Mayor Bill Foster said the closing would be a historic event. But before it closes, Foster said it is important for the city to help relocate the tenants operating at the Pier.
Ballestra said he trying to connect businesses with the city's business assistance center.
"We will be engaged with (tenants) until that time at which the Pier is not just closed but beyond that," Ballestra said. "They are there and they are a resource. We would like to keep them in St. Petersburg if we can."
On Thursday, Foster said he has had discussions with the ownership of Columbia Restaurant, which is on the fourth floor of the Pier.
"They talked about having some very special event there at the Columbia and the 5th floor," Foster said in his discussion with Columbia. He said the restaurant is very interested in having a sizeable presence in St. Petersburg.
"(I) made it very clear that we wanted to have that relationship with the Columbia. We're not going to be the only major city in Tampa Bay without a Columbia," Foster added.
Foster assured the Council that the city will work with Columbia to make sure that the anchor tenant can find space to operate elsewhere in the city.
CJ
4:45 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
A minimum 2 1/2 year commercial construction project for under 50 million? I will believe that when I see it.
2 1/2 years? Who are they going to hire..''2 Men And A Truck"? Seems like a long time to make what is essentially a glorified ''dock''. When I look at the inverted pyramid..then I see someting that looks like a 2 1/2 year , 50 million or more project...but I don't see that when I look at this ''Lens'' project. Maybe the city officials need ''glasses'' instead of a lens.
Too bad they are not just going to do ''The Hub'' part of the project..the part on the shore, and then just remodel the exisiting inverted pyramid. ''They will miss it when it is gone''...but regardless of all that...this will be something to look forward to. The ball is already rolling on this, and there appears to be nothing ''anyone'' can do to stop it. It will be nice..but it was not nice the way they have forced this though.
Is it too early to make reservations at any of the restaurants that are going to be in it?
Timothy
6:37 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
The city needs to inform us concerned citizens where us fishermen are going to fish till this whole thing is done? I think the city needs to build some sort of smaller fishing dock where we can fish till this whole thing gets done. What...am I seriously going to have to wait like 2 1/2 years till I can fish there again?
CJ
4:47 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
oops..forgot the smiley face so everyone knows I am kidding about the reservations..but seriously...can we...? :)
CJ
5:14 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
One of the dumbest ideas about this , is the ''tram''. Golly...all this time over the years, when all the businesses have been out on the existing inverted pyramid...where was the tram ''then''? it might have been useful then...but personally I think the idea of a tram going all the time is going to be weird.
Now..they are going to have a tram take people out to the pier...but it sounds like all the places you want to go eat, etc, are going to be on the shore..in the part of ''The Lens'' that is going to be called ''The Hub''. Boy..those are some strange new names they expect us to get used to calling things down there.
''The Lens''? People are going to be going down there looking for a place to get new eyeglasses or tailights. Besides..it's dang hot enough during the summer..to think about spending time out in something called ''The Lens''. It will often feel like you are under some sort of lens out there anyway, but why have a name that sort of rubs it in. I think they need to work more on the name of it. Hey..here's an idea..how about something that has the word ''pier'' in it? Can't quite put my finger on it..but that sort of sounds familiar..seems like I vaguely remember a place called '' The Pier'..a name that made a place famous for over 40 years. Somebody help me here....
Timothy
6:54 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
I dont' know.. if i am carrying a bunch of fishing gear, I guess it would be nice for some kind of ride out to the end. But as long as it doesn't look like some out-dated, mid 70's looking thing.
CJ
10:34 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
Was just down at The pier yeaterday with my family. I could not help from thinking about how much I will miss it. The place could certainly use some sprucing up...but detroying it and putting something that looks completly different? Why? I agree that change is good, but so are old traditions. Any new plan on The Pier should include the inverted pyramid. It seems to me...that is the focus of all the complaints I have heard people I talk to agree about. Sure...a new ''Pier''...would be great...but keep the inverted pyramid idea...and get rid of that awful new name...''The Lens''. Just what I want to do on a hot day...go someplace called The Lens. Sounds like ants under a magnifying glass.
Pamela
4:33 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I think this lense does not represent the waterfront of StPete.They seem to be trying to mimic the Dali museum. the architecture of that building was to coincide,with the art it houses.Most people in St Pete think is a waste and is going to end up like bay walk.I guess it gives the high rise condos a view.The chosen few tell us what we will have to pay for.Not all of us are transplants and this has been home for generations.By the way the article they insinuated it was the uneducated and non artist non cultured low income who dislike the lense .You are wrong. a lot of artist have their own blogs on this also architects voiced there dislike .
Timothy
6:46 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
That inverted pyramid thing looks depressing. Its so old fashioned. Not only that, it doesnt draw enough business. It is dead in there. People need to understand that the foundation of that pier was built in 1920. The pier was then built on top of that in, what,. 1974? The foundations useful lifespan is till 2020. So why waste money building something new on old, old foundation? I want a new pier, but I want something in the mean time that I can fish on. I think the city needs to build a smaller part of the pier that we can use while the major part is being constructed. I don't want to be without any of it till the whole thing gets done. That is going to take a few years.