St. Petersburg Pier Funding Approved By Council

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg City Council passed resolutions Thursday that pave the way for the design and construction of the new pier.

The funding package for the pier project totals out around $50 million, but nearly $10 million had already been allocated prior to Thursday’s meeting. Of the money already allocated, about $4 million was spent on the failed Lens project. The money green lighted Thursday will pay for the pier’s schematic design and the eventual construction on what is hoped to become a suitable replacement for the city’s iconic old landmark pier that was torn down in 2015.

“Today's vote was another important step forward towards a new St. Pete Pier,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said. “I thank City Council for their continued support and their confidence in this process."

See Also:

• St. Pete Pier Demolition Chronicled In 30 Seconds

The pier design development phase and final concepts for the pier approach are expected to be complete by this summer. Construction on the new pier is hoped to begin in early 2017 with a planned opening in summer 2018.

The council also had a workshop Thursday afternoon during which a project update was presented for the Pier Approach.

St. Petersburg’s Pier District covers 34 acres along the waterfront. The boundaries for the pier project include the area from Spa Beach, east overwater to the end of Pier Head. The Approach connects the Pier to the downtown core with boundaries that run along the waterfront from the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel to Pioneer Park and Beach Drive to Spa Beach.

To find out more about the pier project, visit the city of St. Petersburg online.

Rendering from the City of St. Petersburg website

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