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Health & Fitness

Pier into the Future: The Promontory

The Promontory of the New St. Petersburg Pier.

 

One of the largest components of the new St. Petersburg Pier, the Promontory, is both the most significant and the most misunderstood.  In their continued effort to denigrate the new pier, critics often call it "a sidewalk to nowhere".  Opponents probably say this because at first look the two approaches (overwater bridge and the larger overwater drive) seem to disappear under the large iconic canopy.    Opponents fail to investigate, or fail to inform, where the two approaches actually lead to.  Well, they lead to the Promontory – the large gathering space at the end of the new pier.  As the name suggests, a promontory is a large mass of land overlooking a body of water.   The Promontory at the new St. Petersburg Pier is where it will all happen, the place to be for most activities and events .

The latest design of the new St. Petersburg Pier Promontory has it at 22,900 square feet.  There is an additional 2000 square feet for the amphitheater (also called the learning steps).  The Promontory includes space for a 3200 square foot indoor restaurant that will also have outdoor seating.  This restaurant is still under development with more details coming soon.  There'll also be a concession stand, restrooms, hookups for food trucks, fishing platforms, and access to observation levels via a stairway and an elevator.  Free Wi-Fi will be available.  There may be areas for some retail as well, but most retail will be at the base of the pier called the Hub.  A circular turnaround is provided for the wheelchair accessible trolley.  This open-air electric trolley, moving at 5 mph,  will also make stops at the Marina and Welcome Mat.  The Promontory deck will be imprinted with large hexagon shapes similar to the hexagon blocks located throughout St. Petersburg such as the Historic Old Northeast.  And unlike the outside of old pier where people gathered for events,  most of the Promontory will be covered by the large canopy offering shade and protection from rain. 

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It is the large canopy over the Promontory that will make outdoor events far more comfortable on the new pier vs. the old.  Rain and sun will no longer be an issue when attending outdoor events, and isn't that why people visit the pier, to be outside over the Bay?  The activities and events at the old pier will also be held at the new pier including:  having a drink or bite to eat, listening to music, dancing, attending a wedding, fishing, visiting friends, and taking in the views.   In some ways, the Promontory is like a huge covered patio, except the ceiling in this case is not just over your head – it's WAY over your head.  The canopy swoops up from approximately 14 feet past 80 feet high at back of new pier.   While you'll be under shelter from the sun and rain,  the canopy's dramatic height will give the sensation that you're in a mostly open area, especially as you look eastward out over the bay.  Pier into the future, and maybe you can see it already.  The Promontory at the New St. Petersburg Pier.  Let's get it built!  
http://www.buildthepier.com/
http://www.thenewstpetepier.com/


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