Website launches to push proposed Pier

The City of St. Petersburg is starting to sell the idea of a new downtown Pier with a new website

Wednesday, it launched TheNewStPetePier.com. The site attempts to explain why the existing Pier is doomed, why it cannot be rebuilt, and what the concept is behind a replacement known as "The Lens". 

Mayor Bill Foster admits the public has yet to embrace the next-generation pier, which will cost $50 million.

Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Coliseum, the city will hold the first of four public forums scheduled for June. 

The sessions are described as "public input" forums, but the first part of each meeting will be consumed explaining the Lens and the processes leading up to its selection. 

The public will essentially be asked to flesh out the bones of the proposed structure:  What would they envision doing there?  What amenities should be added to the structure and to the waterfront park connected to the Pier?  What sort of activities could be held at both locations?

Public input can also be submitted through the new website.  The information will be by the Lens architects to develop a more finished design. 

Later this summer, the architects will present development options to the city council, followed by a final design.  At that point, which will probably be toward the end of the year, the city council will decide whether to build the Lens.