City officials call time on iconic St Petersburg pier.
For nearly four decades, the Pier’s inverted pyramid has served as the city’s instantly recognizable landmark.
In a Wednesday workshop that lasted less than two hours, the City Council endorsed Mayor Bill Foster’s recommendation to demolish the icon and start from scratch. “Now we get to rebrand our trademark for the next 100 years,” Foster said. “Or 50 years. We won’t be around. That’s a pretty awesome responsibility.”
Foster coaxed the decision from a council that has been hesitant to make a call on what to do with $50 million that will be made available to overhaul the Pier, which is entering its latest chapter in redevelopment.
The city opened the Mediterranean-style Million Dollar Pier in 1926 but demolished it in 1967 when it slid into disrepair. The exotic and some say funky upside down pyramid pier opened in 1973, but its condition has declined. For more than a year, a task force has discussed options but didn’t narrow down what to do next.
On Wednesday, Foster described the indecision as “analysis-paralysis.” He pushed council members to support his recommendation not just for scrapping the existing building, but its base, too. He said the Pier needs to come closer to shore.
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