New Pier Stats Released: Caissons OK, Demolition Delay

No new “Lens” pier renderings were unveiled Thursday during a presentation at City Hall but new information was released about the viability of the existing caissons, results of the wind study and when the demolition of the inverted pyramid could take place.

According to Mike Connors, St. Pete public works administrator, studies done on the existing pier caissons show they could support the “Lens” promontory for the 75-year lifespan of the “Lens.”

Council member Wengay Newton asked if this meant the existing caissons could support the current pier in that timeframe as well.

Connors said while they did not test the caissons for the current weight load of the inverted pyramid, the caissons would be unlikely to support the pier as long as they could the “Lens.”

The weight of the “Lens” on the caissons is, “a fraction of the inverted pyramid live and dead loads,” Connors told the 828 Alliance Aug. 1.

Square footage of the “Lens” supported by the caissons would be around 5,000 square feet while the current pier has around 80,000 square feet, Connors said.

Pier Demolition Delay?

Originally scheduled for demolition in late August, the St. Petersburg Pier might not meet the wrecking ball until late November or December, said Thomas Gibson, director of engineering and capital improvements.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, or Swiftmud, has granted the demolition permit to the city.

According to Gibson county demolition permits could be approved in 30 days.

“The new pier is 47 percent smaller than the existing pier,” Gibson said. “There is a reduction in storm water run off and a major reduction of shading of the bay bottom.”  

Gibson said the city still has to provide information to the feds regarding the lighting feature of the “Lens” as well as a “cultural resources survey.”

The big hold up is the federal permit from the Army Corp of Engineers. Connors said that permit would likely not be approved until November, Gibson said.

Should voters decide Aug. 27 to cancel the city’s contract with Michael Maltzan Architecture to build the “Lens”, Connors said the city council could still approve demolition of the pier.

If the design changes, “We have a five year time span with the federal government to seek out the modifications,” Connors said. 

The Lens and Wind Tunnels

According to Connors, the wind tunnel tests show there are no unsafe conditions created anywhere on the “Lens”.

In fact, the wind load results were lower than expected, he said.

According to staff, the results of the study are “extremely good,” and very few projects tested have the acceptable level of wind the “Lens” design has.