I would like to point out to anyone questioning the structural integrity of the pier that the lens proposal uses the very caissons that support the pier to support itself, and the concrete blocks surrounding the caissons in the lens renderings are actually the barriers to protect the same caissons from further erosion. Today councilman Gerdes said that the caissons have to go, that they have a very short lifespan in an obvious, embarrassing display of ignorance on the pier, and the lens project. it's all on SPTV, go look for yourself. So for all you people that say it is structurally unsound, please go speak with the Maltzan architects, they will assure you they are fine. Although rusty on the outside, engineers found ZERO places on the caissons where rust had penetrated to the concrete. They are the only part of the structurally sound pier the supposed "leeds certified" architects are using in the lens. Hell, put the lens loop around the pyramid, problem solved.

I think they did the right thing here putting it to a vote. There was a good process that developed into the Lens. However, the process brought us the Lens.

Well, this will be interesting. If it goes like most all the other items that have come up for a vote, not much will be accomplished for this city. The people who bother to vote, don't want to pay for anything to enhance the 'burg, that's why it has not progressed a whole lot, over many years. Too bad. Sleepy St. Pete. It's even losing it's name a lot, called Tampa Bay on TV (America's got talent, when they auditioned in St, Pete), the ball team, and lately the newspaper changed it's name. Maybe tax income should come from the ENTIRE TAMPA BAY area to change the pier. They can call it "The Tampa Bay Pier".

Thank you Wengay Newton for being so bold as to stand up for the voters from the beginning, especially those outside of your district who could not influence your vote! Thanks should also go to the wealthy person or people who influenced Mayor Foster to revisit his decision for a vote from the people, even if it were because of the design choice and not for remodeling the existing pier. Though there is a lot of wealth in St Petersburg, the majority of this city and it's voters are not and I hope they never miss a day at the poll where their voice can be heard!

I find it funny that the main reason people do not like the Lens is because it doesn't have a restaurant. When did City structures have to have food involved? Why does St. Pete have to be so stagnant? Can't do anything outside because it's too hot, and must have somewhere to feed. That is why St. Pete was voted the most depressing City; we are based on being stuck in an enclosed area full of food. So much for something new and exciting in St. Pete.

Everyone please remember the three council memeber that voted no on the direction to put the pier on the November ballot. Especially remember Leslie Curran as she has voiced a desire to run for mayor. She has her own agenda and has had a conflict in this process from the start. We can not afford to have her on the City Council much less as Mayor of our city. We need to show all three of these folks the door when they are up next for election.

this design does not lack just a restaurant........it lacks everything , it has no function...it is a lifeless useless sculpture that is very expensive to build and super expensive to maintain.....it is a long walk in the the heat , humidity and stormy weather to.....nothing!!!..to a big hole they like to call the lens, a nice name, but it is in real life a big hole in our reasoning process and our budget
we need to cut our losses right now and go back to sound reasoning starting with a detailed program based on our residents needs and output
remember the first principle in architecture - form follows function - we need a climate controlled structure that offers functions that will satisfy all age groups including restaurants, cafes, shopping, dancing , partying....we want a place that is vibrant and full of life where we can mingle together, not a dead walkway suitable only for the daring athlete
once we have a detailed program backed by the residents, we can then proceed with a competition between Florida architects to remodel/expand the existing pier to to build a new structure whichever will satisfy the program
only then we will be sure we made a wise choice
hani f matta
architect
elmasry73@aol.com

It is certainly the public's will that the pier be put to a vote. It light of the ballot measure, the wording is so vague and imprecise as to suggest the Current pier will be rebuilt by magic.
It is also true that the Single 60 ft by 60 ft caisson that the inverted pier sits on is structurally sound. What is less clear is how long it will remain that way. It is already 34 yrs into a projected 50 yr life span. It is near impossible to rebuild under the wing span of the pier as pile driving machines will not fit under there. Estimated cost to rehab the Triagle and rebuild the pier approach are at about 90 million. The city has 50 million in TIF funding. Where will the other 40 million come from? Raise your property taxes?
The Pier is now and always has been a bad business model. It is currently costing the taxpayers about 2 million per year BEYOND what it takes in. With the current budget crisis, when the city is facing cutting vital services, should we rebuild the the current Pier and continue this charade of tax money waste?
Or should we proceed with the less costly and much less expensive to run and maintain LENS design?

I cannot wait to see the councils questions for the November ballot....

Robert Thompson, the city WIDENED the approach by 50% in their "internal" analysis of refurbishing the pier, thereby increasing the cost by roughly 25 million.
The Pier is a bad business model? Since when is it a business? It is a municipally funded attraction that generates an estimated 74 million a year in economic impact on the entire county. This is why the county pays for half of the funding, they receive a monetary benefit beyond simply having access to a pier. Read the Klager report from 2000, updated in 2006 to 74 million(city numbers). The rent paid there is 1.3 to 1.5 million a year, but you never hear that...what rents will be paid at the lens with its unknown subsidy? 65 million people, on average, have been though the doors of the pier since 1973, dumping billions of dollars in our region. The lens is a one trick pony, you see it, you leave, you don't come back. It will be closed much of the time, like now, as the thunder claps and lightning strikes all around it. Then it sits empty, where the pier offers shelter in stormy conditions, where people continue to eat, have drinks, or shop until the rain clears. The lens is the product of a predetermined, orchestrated process, driven by a select few individuals, without the consent of the very municipality that will have to maintain it for the next 86 years with their tax dollars. The inverted pyramid is part of St.Pete history, and is the first every of its kind on the planet, and should be preserved.