Pier Park Opponents: Stop Fighting, You Won

Former opponents of the Lens pier are not happy with the city’s approval of The Pier Park. More than two years ago, they launched a successful campaign to defeat the Lens at the ballot box. Now they are attempting the same by launching yet another petition to defeat yet another new pier. Why are they doing this? Don’t they know they already won?

I was huge supporter of the Lens, and felt many of the Lens complaints were false and mostly conjecture. But some had merit. Opponents said the process was lacking in public input and openness, and while I disagree, the process could have been improved. And this time it was. The city really went out of its way to reach the public with several open meetings, presentations to neighborhood associations, several postings in social media, email blasts, information in utility bills, public surveys, and even TV advertisements. Lens opponents were successful in making the new process much better than the old.

There was another complaint I thought had merit. Over and over, opponents pointed out that the Lens lacked a large air-conditioned structure at the end. Even though the Lens had a canopy covering nearly half of the pier, opponents wanted a larger building including an air-conditioned restaurant. Earlier plans had provision for an enclosed restaurant, but the tenant of the restaurant wanted an open air concept.

Pier Park has a large air-conditioned structure at the end, and on the third floor is a 7600 ft.² air-conditioned restaurant. This is exactly what Lens opponents wanted. In fact, the height and configuration of The Pier Park Overlook (structure at end) is very similar to the current pyramid pier. There is an observation level at the top floor, below that is the glass enclosed restaurant, and below that is event space – all the same as the pyramid pier. The first level of Pier Park is mostly open providing shelter from the sun and rain, and access to emergency, maintenance, and service vehicles as well as the wheelchair accessible tram. Thanks to Lens opponents, the end of Pier Park is much improved over the Lens design.

The approach and uplands also have improvements. Similar to the Lens, there are two main paved approaches, but there is far more to do at Pier Park. There are indoor and outdoor environmental centers. A coastal thicket runs along the north side making for an interesting walk, and a large grass lawn near the end provides a great place for concerts and other activities. Fishing is vastly improved with areas specifically designed for anglers. Floating docks on each side separate motorized and nonmotorized watercraft. The uplands are also better developed with a playground and splash pad for kids, improvements to Spa Beach, and a Welcome Center with several amenities. Again, Lens opponents are responsible for this new and improved pier.

Opponents of the Lens rallied around one particular design, Destination, as it most closely resembled the inverted pyramid. However, most of the inverted pyramid would still be demolished including the entire approach and surround which was built in the 1920s. The pyramid building itself would have to be gutted, and the first floor with all the retail completely eliminated because of flood codes. So preservationists of the pyramid pier, who make up many of the Pier Park opponents, are not really preserving the pyramid pier by supporting Destination. It may have a pyramid shape, but it was never going to be the same pyramid pier.

So why the complaining, the fighting, and the petitions? Opponents, you won! Accept the victory. Now let’s move forward together and build the new pier.

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