Poll: Less Than a Third of St. Pete Wants 'Lens'

If a lawsuit and a second petition drive against Michael Maltzan's "Lens" were not enough proof that St. Pete does not like the design slated to replace the St. Petersburg Pier, a new poll also shows minimal public support. 

According to the latest results from StPetePolls, only 30 percent of the 1,916 survey respondents think the "Lens" pier should be built. More than 55 percent do not think it should be built while 14 percent are unsure. 

On Dec. 6, city council voted 7-1 to approve the next phase of funding for the design. While it approved the design, council did put in road blocks for future funding sources so each step will have to be passed by council in increments. 

Council did this in case 'Stop the Lens' is successful in its petition drive, so it could halt the "Lens" construction process. 

According to StPetePolls, there is something else the public wishes to halt — red light cameras. Nearly 54 percent respondents told StPetePolls that they do not think it was a good thing for the city to install the cameras. 

Thursday, council will hear an official report on the first year results of the red light camera program. City staff, despite overall crashes being up at intersections with red light cameras, is recommending nine additional red light cameras in St. Pete.

StPetePolls conducted its scientific survey on Dec. 17 among registered voters within St. Petersburg.

Other results from the December 17 survey from St. Pete Polls include:

• 45.5 percent of respondents think city council is doing a good job while 55.5 percent do not.
• 54.3 percent approve of Mayor Bill Foster compared to 45.7 who do not
• St. Pete is unsure on the local hiring ordinance with only 29 percent for, 23 percent against and 47 percent unsure. 

Finally, in a hypothetical race for mayor between Foster, Kathleen Ford, Rick Kriseman and Scott Wagman, Foster holds a sizeable advantage with 31.8 percent support. The next closed candidate was Ford with 18.1 percent support. Those undecided are the largest number for the St. Pete mayoral race at 35.6 percent.