As St. Pete voters consider their position on the new Pier they should be able to base their opinions on the most up-to-date conceptual drawings — not those currently in use, which are outdated in fairly significant ways.
For example, the propose canopy, which rises several stories about the surface of the water, is no longer smooth; rather, according to the city’s most recent design document, it will be made of aluminum panels with horizontal and vertical liens, with taller and more noticeable columns.
Further, unlike earlier renderings, there will be no actual trolley on the pedestrian breidges, and motorboats have replaced the non-motorized watercraft that were originally depicted in the drawings.
These disparities are critical to portray prior to August, when St. Pete residents decide whether to terminate the city’s contract with Lens architect Michael Maltzan.
St. Pete resident Howard Taylor detailed his observations about the Lens renderings and current depictions in an email to the city council in mid-May, and addressed council members in an open forum at last week’s meeting. He told FOX 13 News that so far, no one has responded to his request for an explanation or his suggestion that outdated images are labeled as such.
“The intent was to present images of what the possibilities of the project could be, and those images are still accurate as far as the overall concept,” city architect Raul Quintana told FOX 13 News.
But to Taylor, it isn’t the changes themselves that is upsetting — it is the lack of information shared leading up to an important vote.
“I have no problem with designs changing. We just need to know what those design changes are and how it’s going to affect what the New Pier is supposed to be,” Taylor said.”I don’t care whether someone is for or against the Lens. All I want is accurate information, especially with a vote coming up.”
