Eight new design proposals for the St. Petersburg Pier were unveiled Monday and submitted to the city.
After voters rejected the Lens design last year, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman's Pier Working Group held public meetings, asking for what the public wanted to see in the new pier.
The Top 3 required elements?
- Viewing areas
- Dining options,
- Paths for jogging, walking and cycling
Out of the eight designs, six of them include some version of the current inverted pyramid. Each of the eight teams received a $30,000 stipend to submit initial designs, reports, cost estimates and how the elements of the design fit the Pier Working Group's findings.
Lack of public input is one of the reasons the Lens design was rejected last time. St. Pete Pier spokesperson Kristin Brett said there is public input throughout the selection process.
"The public will have an opportunity to look at those [designs], hear presentations from the different design teams and then we will survey the public," she said, "and they will let us know what their first, second and third choices are and that too, will go to the selection committee."
"So while ultimately the decision will be made by the selection committee, there's lots of public input along the way."
The new designs will go through a technical review until mid-January. The selection committee will look at costs, any permitting issues and construction concerns.
St. Pete residents will then get to vote on their preferred designs through an online survey in February. For a look at the designs, click here.
Tentitive timeline for the new St. Pete Pier:
- Designs undergo technical review by January 16, 2015
- Public presentations of the designs at the Coliseum February 11 & 12, 2015
- Public online survey up for residents to vote on top three designs February 23-March 6, 2015
- Final selection and ranking by selection committee by March 20, 2015
- City Council ranking approval by April 2, 2015
- Final contract approval by late-May, 2015
