County Can't Stop Pier Demolition as Next 'Lens' Vote Looms

The Pinellas County Commission cannot stop the closure or the demolition of the St. Petersburg Pier, but it could have a say if the "Lens" pier design will be built. 

Whether or not the county has a say in the construction of the new pier is actually up to the city St. Petersburg.

Should the "Lens" design require variances from what county specs allow, the commission would have a vote on the construction plan. 

County administrator Bob LaSala said the city did submit an initial permit application that would require variance approval from the county. However, he said the city would be submitting another proposal with updated figures that would fit county requirements. 

"What was brought to our attention last week was not consistent with those standards," LaSala said of the county's Water Navigation Authority requirements. "We are told that the consultant for the city of St. Pete had brought forward old, incorrect information and that there is more updated information.

Should the city submit a new permit application to the county, LaSala and County Attorney Jim Bennett said the county's hands would be tied. 

"The county has no jurisdiction over demolition," LaSala said. 

The St. Petersburg Pier is set to close May 31. Demolition is scheduled for August. 

The only reason county officials were discussing the pier at the April 23 commission meeting is because pier vendor Carol Gray, Stop the Lens president Bill Ballard, VoteOnThePier chairman Tom Lambdon and residents Joseph Reed and Burt Kline were there asking commissioners to intervene in the city's plans to close the pier and build the lens. 

"This program has had its difficulties form the beginning. They have yet to do a study of wind tunnel of this convoluted structure," Reed said. "There will be a vote on this Lens. What we are trying to understand is why the city is going full speed ahead to dismantle the pier and board it up.

"We are asking," Reed said to county commissioners April 23, "please help us push the pause button. Let the people vote."

"I want you to investigate. I just know that something is wrong here," said Gray, owner of the Crystal Mirage Gallery inside the pier. "I’m hoping that you guys can look into it. Because it is so important to the economy of Pinellas." 

Commission chair, and St. Petersburg resident, Ken Welch was sympathetic to the speakers and questioned St. Pete city council for possibly spending more money with a vote looming, but said there is not much the county can do.

"At this point I understand the ask," Welch said. “But the only path where I see us having vote on the issue is if that permit comes to us asking for a variance."

Commissioner Norm Roche said the "Lens" is, "a train wreck that’s coming." 

NEXT "LENS" FUNDING VOTE

Thursday, council will be voting on the next phase of funding for Michael Maltzan Architecture's "Lens" design to replace the existing inverted pyramid.

Council will be voting on a $1.54 million transfer to the general fund for the "design development phase" and for Skanska USA Builders to continue providing pre-construction phase services. Another $75,000 will be voted on for additional fees for Skanska.

In July there will be another vote for an additional $1.27 million in funding. 

Related Articles:

• Will Army Corps of Engineers Approve Pier Demolition?
• 'Lens' Pier Political Action Committee Forms
• Delaying Pier Closure Unlikely as the Columbia Prepares to Close

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