People resist change. It's just human nature. Some of our greatest innovators and inventors have met resistance of some kind. Something unconventional comes along and the first reaction is generally negative. Case in point, the new St. Petersburg Pier. This is not your average pier. Waterfront piers are generally T-shaped: a straight approach meeting a perpendicular section at the end. More elaborate piers are larger and have various structures on them, but the shape is still similar. But not the new St. Petersburg Pier. This pier dares to be different. Instead of a straight T-shaped pier, this new pier has two CURVED approaches, each extending over the water at two different angles, and at two different heights. And instead of docking boats on the sides or the end , there is a floating dock marina in the middle of the pier. For some, this was far too unconventional. Something had to be done! So how do opponents straighten out this new curved pier? They use fear by spreading misinformation. The new pier is curved and it must be scared straight!
Don't let them do it. Don't let a few wealthy individuals, who didn't like or understand the new design, rob St. Petersburg of a one-of-a-kind pier unlike any in the world. Let's face it, these curmudgeons paid for the election. They hired people to gather petitions for a referendum on the ballot to "Stop the Lens." They like to say the new pier is "a sidewalk to nowhere". Excuse me, but where is a pier supposed to go? Some actually admit it's beautiful, but not to fish on, and pelicans will deface it. So they want an ugly pier that goes well with fish guts and pelican droppings? Their followers try to scare people saying there's no shade, the canopy will rust, not handicap accessible, a strong wind will knock it down, and other false claims bordering on hysteria. I'm surprised they didn't claim disturbing the Bay would cause Godzilla to rise up and eat construction workers.
The city studied the old pier for years before making the decision to build a new one. Over 60 public meetings were held, proposals were submitted in a design contest, a winner chosen, and a new pier was approved. And now we are to start over? And build what? No design will please everyone, so it would be years before we see a new pier again. Why reject a free attraction on our waterfront that is scheduled to open in two years? If the new pier is voted down it's doubtful we'll get anything as iconic as the Lens design. Can a curved pier be scared straight? Say NO to the fear and hysteria. Vote NO August 27 and let's build this one-of-a-kind pier. Let's show the world that St. Petersburg is a unique place to visit. Build The Pier!
http://www.buildthepier.com/
http://www.thenewstpetepier.com/
