Video: 'Feeling of Sadness' at St. Pete Pier
Some of the business owners at the Pier are saddened by its upcoming closing.
The St. Pete Pier will be closing on May 31, with demolition for "The Lens" project starting in August.
While some businesses have already planned out relocation, others, like the Nic Weathersbee with the Global Candle Company, still haven't found anywhere to go.
Deborah Brown of Peppers on the Pier, one of the businesses that doesn't have a place to relocate to, is also upset over the upcoming loss of the iconic St. Petersburg building.
"We're losing a part of our St. Pete history, and I think we're losing it for all the wrong reasons," Brown said.
Watch our attached video interviews to hear from Nic and Deborah.
How do you weigh in on the Pier? Let us know in the comments.
Related Coverage:
- Video: Pier Business Owners Want Public Vote
- Columbia Restaurant to Open New Location at 'The Lens' in St. Pete
- Pier Lawsuit Mediation Ends in Impasse
- Pier Mediation Continued
- New Pro-'Lens' Website Launched
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Johann
9:01 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Sign a petition!!!! www.stopthelens.com
Patriot
4:55 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Done!
Elaine Cloud Goller
11:09 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
A sense of sadness, losing a part of history for all the wrong reasons, indeed. Many of us have fond memories of childhood forays to the hotel on the Pier, with its waterfront bar on the first level, concerts and dances upstairs, fisherman and pelicans along the expanse. There was a sense of wonder and pride that the first Bounty was moored there, and that the Pier had been a destination for so many to our fair city.
Wasn't sure what to make of the inverted pyramid when first visiting that incarnation. The original international showcase reminded me of a World's Fair exhibition hall, which while admirable, didn't seem to be working well enough to pay the rent. It evolved, solutions were found, apparently, and if not, perhaps that is where the focus should be.
So now they (whoever they are) say the Pier is so unsound it will be a hazard and is irreparable. If it is so unsafe, why hasn't the car traffic been curtailed?
Certainly glad the city fathers in Athens and Rome and Giza and Paris and Philadelphia and (insert your favorite city here) look to protect iconic structures, not tear them down. Also glad the long-vacant Vinoy across the basin didn't get ripped down because it was an eyesore, past its prime, required so much money to repair (fill in reason here) ....
Alberta Pizzolatio
4:58 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Well said, Elaine. A resident of St. Pete and frequent Pier visitor since 1991, I share your opinions of this iconic landmark. Long live THE pier!
Babak
4:24 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Feelings of joy from most people to see this ugly thing replaced :)
nic weathersbee
5:08 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
I'm curious how you know that "most" people want to see it replaced? Have you done a poll? Because most polls show easily 70% want a vote, and about the same want to refurbish our iconic landmark.
tampabbay99
4:31 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Very sad and to the tune of $50 million that we can't even vote on here. 9 people to decide for nearly 1/4 million and the majority of those 1/4 million are against this. Maybe it is a good thing I am leaving St. Pete.
Patriot
5:11 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Don't feed the TROLL nic
nic weathersbee
5:50 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Thanks Patriot...it's hard not to sometimes.
Babak
7:26 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Having an opinion other than yours makes me a troll? I am very much in favor of seeing the inverted pyramid demolished. Because I don't drink your "stop the lens" kool-aide I'm now a "troll"? I believe Hitler had a similar way of seeing things.
nic weathersbee
2:08 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Troll:
In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion...
Patriot
2:22 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Good post nic....I sometimes get lost in arguing with idiots myself...In this case we all know there are people in St.Pete that want money wasted on the LENS thingy. We simply want this to go to a vote....no point arguing with them, they will not change there mind.