Stop the Lens Successful Ahead of Thursday's 'Lens' Vote

With more than 20,000 petitions in hand, Concerned Citizens of St. Petersburg, also known as Stop the Lens, turned in the petitions to the city clerk's office Wednesday morning. 

20,559 petitions to be exact. 

"The signers of those petitions are asking the city of St. Petersburg to cancel the contract for the design of the 'Lens' or give the citizens the right to vote. The city can do better," said Fred Whaley with Stop the Lens.

A day before city council votes on the next phase of funding for the "Lens" pier project, Stop the Lens said the city should adopt its petition and refuse to approve any new funding for the "Lens" project. 

"The citizens want the city to pause the funding of the “Lens” and not waste their money," Whaley added. "The city council needs to listen to the voters and be fiscal responsible. The city will vote to cancel the 'Lens' on Aug. 27. If the council does cancel it in the first place." 

Thursday's council vote is for $1.54 million to Michael Maltzan Architecture for the Design Development Phase of the "Lens."

Two weeks ago, council voted to delay a vote on the "Lens" funding until more information related to expected maintenance costs for new pier was released. 

According to city documents, the breakdown some of the costs for the Design Development Phase are:

• Architectural Services, $522,922 
• Structural and MEP Services $423,337 
• Fire, Civil & Marine $103,546 
• Lighting Design $50,000 
• Marine Permitting $38,5000 
• Wave & Current Study $18,012 
• Wind Testing $39,500

"The object of the report on May 16, 2013 is to provide City Council the information requested so that the resolution authorizing proceeding with the Design Development Phase can be approved. The Design Development Phase will allow further design of materials and systems, including technical documents for the Construction Manager's use in developing the design development cost estimate," wrote Public Works Administrator Mike Connors in a memo to council.

"The analysis during this phase is critical to establish and confirm service life expectation for materials and systems selected. The work of this phase will also provide clear information for the public in advance of any prospective referendum," Connors added. 

City documents show the expected warranty of the "Lens" canopy materials ranges from one year to 30 years.

The Kynar coating on the canopy panels have a 30-year expected life span and documents show the replacement costs at $250,000. The waterproofing for the canopy also has a 30-year life span with an anticipated cost of $222,363 for replacement.

Other expected replacement costs for the "Lens" include $1.7 million for replacing the floating concrete dock sections, which have an expected life span of 40 years. Electrical services embedded in the concrete also have a 20-year life span and would costs $177,400 to replace.

For a full lists of expected replacement costs and the life span of "Lens" design materials, click here. 

"The people will get the opportunity to vote," said council member, and long-time advocate for the pier, Wengay Newton. 

"It's very clear that the voters feel very passionately about this and they would like to have their say," said council member Karl Nurse at Wednesday's press conference. "It's pretty obvious we need to let the voters decide it. Time for democracy to engage in this stage." 

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