Lens Video Released

Sam December 6, 2012 at 02:39 pm

Having read some articles about different piers throughout the world, the overwhelming theme was that the piers mirrored the locals cultures, desires, and the towns history. The "LENS" certainly seems to narrowly represent people living in the high rise apartments downtown. As has been stated it is a representation of art with little room for representing others that live and play in this great city.
When I look at the design from the shoreline out over the water, I see a huge concrete design blocking visual access to the water. Not unlike the high rise apartments which block any visual access to water now. There is no room for boats to tie up either on the exterior or interior of the design, particularly sailboats that require ample room for mast clearance. The Tampa Bay area has many boaters who would enjoy dining, a great bar, deli, movie, shopping, and entertainment which already exist in our downtown area. The "LENS" does not invite people to visit our city by water. It also limits or eliminates fishing off the pier as others have stated.

nic weathersbee December 6, 2012 at 03:44 pm

Marketing is a tricky, perceptual beast. It's all about perception and slight of hand much of the time. They want to sell this thing. they should show the "on the ground view" of this thing in an animation as well as the helicopter view, lol. Some of the renderings are views that will never be seen by the human eye unless you are suspended in the air. I'm not nitpicking here, but marketing IS how they sell people, so nuances are important.

Rider December 6, 2012 at 04:02 pm

Let the campaigns begin......the judge has ruled that mediation is to occur in order to choose the words for a vote........this is the matter at hand......all of this is a diversion.

Edith December 6, 2012 at 08:48 pm

All I see is WALK, WALK, WALK!!! What about the people who can't qualify for your marathon any more? This is the pits! Even if we try to walk a little, we could possibly be the target of an oncoming skater (according to your video). Let's keep the inverted triangle building and pier that we now have, make repairs as needed, and enjoy it the way we have been doing for many years and keep enjoying it for many more years to come. I know it will be several months before we get to vote on this, but I sincerely hope that our Committee members will discontinue wasting ADDITIONAL funds prior to determining the consensus.

SandyFishGirl December 7, 2012 at 01:41 am

I don't like the Lens design at all. That said, 30 years ago when I first saw the "upside down triangle", I thought, "What the heck is that THING". That design didn't fit with the city either. I understand according to the City the current pier is "beyond repair". BUT, why didn't anyone design something that FIT in our city??!! The original Million Dollar Pier was and always will be the best design. It really stinks that the mayor & city council apparently don't care what we the taxpayers think they should spend OUR tax dollars on.
The video and the design kinda unrealistic. People are going to flock to the Pier/Lens to do what? Walk out & look at the water? No fishing? No boat docks? No retail? No dining? And just HOW MUCH is it going to cost the City (tax payers) the first time some kids falls-or someone jumps- over one of the railings? This thing is nothing but bad bad bad!!!

Steve Kornell December 7, 2012 at 08:26 am

Sandy - may I politely suggest that you at least take the time to know what the Lens is by seeing the video of the presentation to council on Tuesday. In Lisa Wannemacher's remarks she gives a list of the all the activities available at the Lens. There is fishing, dining, retail and other things. They are looking at moving the boat docks closer to shore due to many concerns voiced by the public. The city has a website dedicated to the new Pier. It might answer some of your concerns.
Steve Kornell, St. Pete City Council