St. Pete's Web Survey to Help Decide New Pier's Design

The city of St. Petersburg is moving forward on a plan to replace the existing Pier. Known for its inverted-pyramid design, the old Pier was constructed in 1973. (Photo courtesy City of St. Petersburg)

The city of St. Petersburg, Fla., is at it again. As city officials try, for a second time, to choose a design for revamping its well-known Pier, they are taking community input to another level by soliciting citizens' preferences via an online survey.

Considering the recent history surrounding St. Pete's plans to redevelop its dilapidated Pier, the online survey solicitation is understandable. That recent history includes: St. Pete's 2011 launch of an international design competition; the city's selection of Michael Maltzan Architecture's "Lens" concept in January 2012; shortly thereafter, locals successfully petitioned to get a question on the August 2013 ballot to reject the pier plan; and in August 2013, residents roundly rejected the proposed project, valued at $50 million, with more than 60% of vote.

And it was back to square one.

This time, it appears that St. Pete pols are doing everything they can to avoid a repeat scenario, by eliminating any accusation that they didn't listen to the public this time. While the survey is set up for use by citizens only, readers can learn much, much more about each of the concepts at the city's dedicated website, www.NewStPetePier.com, which includes pdfs of each design team's presentation, multiple images of each, and video links to many.

Or, you can take a quick look at each of the concepts, which are included below, with each concept name linked to the related presentation document. (Design teams are listed here by their name as included on the St. Pete Pier design concepts page.)

The survey will be available until March 6. According to the city's timeline, final selection is scheduled for March 20.