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The NewSt. Pete Pier

2 | Friday, February 27, 2015 | Tampa Bay Times

PIER DESIGN TEAMSDESIGN TEAM PIER NAME LOCATION

Alfonso Architechts, Inc. ALMA Tampa, Florida

FR-EE with Civitas + Mesh Prospect Pier New York, New York

Rogers Partners Architects + Urban Designers, ASD, Ken Smith

The Pier Park New York, New York

Ross Barney Architects (r-barc) rePier Chicago, Illinois

St. Pete Design Group (Harvard Jolly and Wannamacher Jenson)

Destination St. Pete Pier

St. Petersburg, Florida

VOA Discover Bay Life Orlando, Florida

W Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Blue Pier New York, New York

History of The St. Petersburg Pier1889

The St. Petersburg Pier has a rich history dating back over 100 years. From its humble beginning as a railroad trestle devoted to the delivery of goods into the city from Tampa Bay, the city of St. Petersburg has always had a pier. The city’s first pier dates back to 1889, when the Orange Belt Railway constructed the “Railroad Pier” as a railway-accessible sightseeing and recreational resort for locals and tourists.

1926Several piers followed, and the most

significant was the “Million Dollar” pier, with construction completed in 1926. Its Mediterranean revival architecture was a major feature, and the Million Dollar pier became a popular community gathering space until it was demolished in 1967 to make room for the new Inverted Pyramid building.

1973In 1973 the Inverted Pyramid structure

was completed and opened to the public. It continued the tradition of an over-water public gathering place and tourist attraction in downtown St. Petersburg.

1987In 1987, the Pier was transformed once

again with the addition of nearly 70,000 square feet of “festival market” style retail space. The existing Pier today is the product of the mid-1980s destination retail specialty center concept.

2004 - 2013In a 2004 report to City Council, it was

stated that the structural maintenance program for the Pier approach and Pier head were no longer cost effective, and its replacement should be planned for in the next 10 years. In 2005, with Pinellas County, a plan was put in place to replace the Pier approach

and head, with an agreed-upon allocation of $50M for the pending work.

In 2009, a mayoral appointed Pier Advisory Task Force was formed, and over 14 months, met extensively with the public, hired outside consultants, and provided options for both the pier itself as well as the program. These options were not limited to the over-water portion of the Pier; they also included the pier approach.

Following the formation of a Pier Advisory Task Force, the city pursued replacement of the Inverted Pyramid. It launched an international design competition that drew interest from 29 architectural firms. A jury composed of design professionals and elected officials narrowed this list to three firms; each submitted a proposed design. After lengthy public displays of the concept and public meetings, the jury selected Los Angeles-based Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. and its design, called “The Lens.”

After a successful petition drive, a group calling itself “Stop the Lens” placed a measure on the August 27, 2013 city election ballot to cancel the city’s contract with Michael Maltzan. This measure passed, and the contract was severed with the Los Angeles architect.

TODAYIn January 2014, Mayor Kriseman took

office and, as his first order of business, ordered the removal of the fence around the Pier’s perimeter so that citizens could once again enjoy the Pier. Shortly thereafter, he recommended a new Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select a design consultant. In order to incorporate community input and create a new RFQ, the Pier Working Group was established to review, update, and recommend common activities/elements consistent with the desires of the community and in cooperation with the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan. The list of elements would then become the basis for the design of the new St. Petersburg Pier.

New Pier design selection process

On May 1, 2014, Mayor Rick Kriseman announced a process to move forward with The Pier on St. Petersburg’s waterfront. The process, designed to be fair, comprehensive and transparent, began with a working group that includes leaders from the neighborhoods, local businesses and previous stakeholders in earlier Pier discussions. The Pier Working Group’s goal was to engage and inform the public and provide opportunities for their input. There is also a six-member Selection Committee that will make the final recommendation to the Mayor.

Twenty-nine design firms that responded to the city’s initial RFQ have been narrowed to eight. Those eight firms provided their concepts to the city on December 15. Following a technical review and a public survey, the Selection Committee will then make their recommendation to the Mayor and City Council.

TIMELINE DECEMBER 15: Design concepts submittedJANUARY 16: Technical analysis completed, including review of any permitting issues, operating cost review, construction concernsJANUARY 23: Selection Committee meeting (design teams shortlisted)JANUARY 23 – FEBRUARY 23: Public information/outreachFEBRUARY 11 & 12: Public presentations by finalists (Coliseum)FEBRUARY 23 – MARCH 6: Public survey period (online)EARLY TO MID-MARCH: Survey outcomeMARCH 20: Final selection and ranking by Selection Committee APRIL: City Council approval of ranking by Selection Committee

WHAT’S DIFFERENT THIS TIME?

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Absorbing the History — Projecting the Future: ProspectPier celebrates our unique geography, culture and history as a subtropical, waterfront city. In a reinvented Pyramid that looks to the future, it builds upon the Pier’s assets — a strong form floating over the water. Our vision is a journey that begins downtown, passes through a vibrant park and becomes a magical stroll over water before ascending through active, public spaces culminating in breathtaking views of city, sea and sky, high over Tampa Bay.

ALMAALMA…SOUL…SPIRIT: The Soul of the City. Cultural Icon. Just as the Eiffel Tower image alone can conjure up an entire cultural experience by merely representing a fragment of the city, the Pier transmutations over the years have served as the symbol and spirit of the place that is St. Petersburg. Our project will recapture the past, embrace the present, and look to the future. ALMA: The Soul of St. Petersburg.

Prospect Pier

The ASD/Rogers Partners/KSLA design honors St. Petersburg Pier’s robust, eclectic history while transforming it into a 21st century public place. It is a hub for activity; not only at the pier head, but all along its length. Flexible programs engage tourists and community alike — from children to seniors, nature lovers to boaters, fishermen to fine diners. The Pier does not take you to a place — the Pier is the place. It is THE PIER PARK.

The Pier Park

Required Elements ALMA Blue Pier Destination St. Pete Pier

Observation Areas Views from 150’ Tower & Plazas Deck level overviews, sloping lawn at pier end

Sky Deck on fifth level

Dining Options 7,500 SF Fine dining at upland and 2,400 SF casual at Tower

3,600 SF Burger Shack on Pier 9,000 SF Fine dining at Sky Deck, 3,500 SF Grill at Beach

Cycling / Jogging / Walking Yes Yes Yes

Transportation Tram Tram Vehicle & Tram

Fishing 20,000 SF of dedicated fishing pier 7,000 SF dedicated fishing area at east end of Pier

8,780 SF of dedicated fishing pier

Transient Boat Dockage City Provided in Central basin Yes. On south side of Pier City Provided in Central basin

Environmental Education Land set aside at uplands for future Marine Discovery Center

Two tidally linked Lagoons, upland restoration, Marine Screen

24,000 SF of Shell Space for possible use on three levels

Event Space Event lawn at Spa Park, 8,500 SF dance hall at pier end

Various flexible event locations on 100’ wide pier deck, entry plaza

Cast-in place bleachers on Pier, multiple decks at Pier end

Bike / Watercraft Rental Yes Yes Yes

Retail / Recreation Yes Reserved Yes

Subsidy Estimate (1 being lowest subsidy) 4 1 5

Subsidy Compared To Prior 10-Year Average

Lower Lower Higher

Permitting Challenges Possible - limited to tower height Possible - limited to lagoon permitting No

Recent Adjustments Fishing pier adjusted. Moved one of two over-water restaurants to land. Lowered height of tower to accommodate FAA concerns

Reduced Lagoon size. Added 3,600 SF “Burger Shack”

Removed Waterfall and Glass Canopy. Reduced size of fishing pier and party deck

rePier is a vision of St. Petersburg as a catalyst for more environmentally friendly, physically engaging, and socially exciting urban living. rePier adds opportunities to engage with the water, creates marine habitat, provides places to snack and sit in the shade, and builds a social space that also generates electricity. rePier projects progress and hope and provides St. Petersburg with a place that is useful and loved.

rePier

Discover Bay Life Pier Park Prospect Pier rePier

Viewing platforms at upper deck Multi-level observation platforms 26,000 SF Roof Top Terrace Fifth Floor observation platform

4,000 SF Destination Restaurant at Spa Beach

7,600 SF Overlook Bar & Grill 8,200 SF Fine dining at Level 5, Café at Level 1

8,000 SF Fine dining at upland, Café & Bar at Pier, Oyster Bar at Beach

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Tram Tram Tram Tram

Fishing along Pier approach and low platform on east end

17,000 SF of floating docks for fishing 3,700 SF of dedicated fishing areas at Pier head and lower deck at east end

5,570 SF of floating boardwalk, 1,200 SF of Pier Overlooks

City Provided in Central basin Yes. Various locations City Provided in Central basin Yes. On north side of Pier

Open air Marine Observation areas for display

Shell Space for dry environmental classroom and adjacent wet classroom amphitheater

16,000 SF of Shell Space for possible future uses on two levels

14,500 SF Shell Space for future marine discovery option

Limited to open air areas on Pier and Pier head

Extensive multiple event spaces including sloping lawn for possible 4,000 person capacity

City Place plaza on west and Bayside plaza on east of Pier as well as roof terrace

Solar Plaza at approach to Pier, bleachers at north side of Pier

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Limited Yes Yes Yes

2 6 7 3

Lower Higher Higher Lower

No Possible - limited to area over water No No

Made 3 of the 4 moveable walls of the “Hoberman Diamond” fixed

Reduced size of over-water construction by 27,000 SF

Adjusted upland hardscape and landscape to comply with budget

Removed Aquarium, Mangroves

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“Discover Bay Life” respects the past and looks to the future by transforming the upland park and pier into a new destination for St. Petersburg. Just as life on the Bay continually transforms, so does life at “The Pier.” Three destinations — Bay Life Park, the Pier, and the Marine Discovery Center — become one unique destination for locals and visitors to discover and enjoy year-round.

Destination St. Pete Pier

Discover Bay Life

The St. Pete Design Group’s concept provides the perfect marriage of historic icon and modernized, functional pier; a pure, crystalline pyramid is surrounded by fun, contemporary elements and activities within multi-leveled layers of shade. Varied attractions to keep residents and tourists coming back include an enhanced Spa Beach, multiple dining options, children’s zone and a multi-use recreational trail. Come fish, play, dine, relax and remember. Discover your own Destination at the New St. Pete Pier.

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BLUE PIER brings the bay and pier closer to downtown, uniting the Bay with the City along a sustainable axis of recreational, ecological and economic activity; a landscape for learning, enjoyment and public health. The entire BLUE PIER is a marine discovery center and a world-class icon. A vibrant program close to Beach Drive offers an attractive place for investment. The pedestrian- scale design provides a safe and enjoyable environment for families, residents and visitors.

Blue Pier

The resulting highly rated elements from public input sessions conducted in June/July 2014 and online survey results were generally consistent with the body of work leading up to the Pier Working Group effort. While elements were rated and ranked in the public input sessions and all were considered desirable and consistent with past review, several of the elements have become recommended as top priorities by the Pier Working Group.1. OBSERVATION AREAS. The pier experience is focused on public interaction with the water and observation areas. Both dedicated and passive elements are an integral part of the experience. Maximizing vistas, both of the waterfront and of the city from the pier, and minimizing potential view obstructions are critical to the ultimate design. The ability to have observation areas at various elevations is desirable as well.2. DINING OPTIONS. The dining option element was heavily discussed by the PWG. There was no disagreement from either the PWG or public input that creating both open-air casual and destination full-service air-conditioned dining opportunities is required at the new pier. There was universal agreement that a variety of dining

experiences and price points are welcome, including café/snack bars and fine dining.3. CYCLING / WALKING / JOGGING. It is critical to provide flexible and safe lanes for this transportation element, mixing and, if needed, separating them to accommodate different speeds of transport that will accommodate all users. Linking to the city’s existing trail system provides a functional and experiential adventure that should be included in any new pier design.4. TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS. As important as the specific type of transportation option is ensuring the ease, speed and headways of any transportation element. Consideration should be given, but not limited, to a tram/trolley as well as a water taxi/ferry in conjunction with the cycling/walking/jogging element above. Environmentally friendly methods are encouraged. Fully accessible fixed linkages to parking and public transportation, ensuring seamless access, are required. Any transportation recommended must be viewed as part of the overall pier experience, thoughtfully and efficiently carrying passengers to the pier terminus.5. FISHING. A most basic and required element of this pier is fishing.

Recommendations include the potential to separate the fishing experience from the pedestrian experience from both a safety and cleanliness perspective. The inclusion of fish cleaning stations and potential for some type of artificial reef system, as well as thoughtful consideration as to where fishing areas should be, will benefit the overall pier experience. The PWG further recommends that the City engage the Ocean Team to assist in the details related to this element. 6. MARINE DISCOVERY / ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ELEMENT. The PWG recommends that the City engage the Ocean Team to further develop an environmental educational element and potential interactive marine discovery center. Designs must consider the unique water and environmental conditions of the site and the opportunity to enhance the public’s awareness of the Gulf of Mexico with a focus on the Tampa Bay Estuary. 7. COURTESY & TRANSIENT DOCKS. Consideration should be given to providing safe and effective courtesy and transient docks and to accommodate both motorized and non-motorized boating. The potential for a water ferry or water taxi rated

highly in recent input and consideration for this; whether tied to the uplands or the pier itself, it should be given consideration. Additionally, the potential to exhibit larger vessels has historically been a part of the pier experience and would be welcomed, again tied to either land or the pier itself. 8. FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE INCLUDING PICNIC AREAS & GREEN SPACE. Providing spaces to encourage social interaction that remain flexible are highly desired. The potential for a performance area, particularly one that does not appear empty when not in use, as well as flexible community space carry forward the best and basic elements for pier use and function. St. Petersburg and its downtown waterfront thrive on special events and providing a platform for this will benefit all. There should be an active balance of all types of areas, with a priority given to appropriate green space. 9. BIKE & WATERCRAFT RENTAL.The ability for visitors to rent bicycles and watercraft is desired. 10. RETAIL. Consideration should be given for support retail that enhances the recreational and visitor experience at the pier.

TOP-RATED ELEMENTS BY PUBLIC SURVEY

NewStPetePier.com

Public Survey open February 23 through March 6

Review and select up to three concepts by going online to www.newstpetepier.com

Or you can get assistance with the survey at the following locations:

St. Petersburg Community LibrariesFor locations and hours, visit: http://splibraries.org

St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NEMonday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.(Presentation display boards in Flight One Gallery)

To fill out a printed copy of the survey, visit the Mayor’s Action Center at St. Petersburg City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other survey locations/times:

Tyrone Square Mall, 6901 22nd Ave. N

Saturday Morning Market, 100 First St. SE

Midtown Market, 22nd Street S and Ninth Avenue S

HAVE A SAY IN YOUR NEW PIER!

NEXT STEPS Selection Committee Ranks Concepts: March 20, 2015Mayor & City Council Approval: April 2015Concept Development: Through Summer of 2015Detailed Design/Permitting: Fall 2015 through Fall 2016Construction: Late 2016 through Spring 2018