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St. Petersburg's inverted pyramid is going … going … (w/video)

 
Visitor Sara Briggs of Asheville, NC, stops to look at the what is left of the St. Petersburg Pier, Monday. Demolition crews from Sonny Glasbrenner Inc., Clearwater, demolished the final upright sections of the inverted pyramid structure. Work will begin on demolishing the pier approach. On the left is an artist rendition of the new Pier Park that is scheduled to be completed by 2018. [SCOTT KEELER    |      Times]
Visitor Sara Briggs of Asheville, NC, stops to look at the what is left of the St. Petersburg Pier, Monday. Demolition crews from Sonny Glasbrenner Inc., Clearwater, demolished the final upright sections of the inverted pyramid structure. Work will begin on demolishing the pier approach. On the left is an artist rendition of the new Pier Park that is scheduled to be completed by 2018. [SCOTT KEELER | Times]
Published Nov. 17, 2015

The inverted pyramid is no more.

Demolition that started in August removed the last scrap of the Pier on Monday, leaving behind only debris.

Here is a final look back at the unique structure that stood out on St. Petersburg's waterfront for more than 40 years.

• The pyramid designed by architect William B. Harvard Sr. opened Jan. 15, 1973. It was the city's third public Pier.

• Thirteen years later, it was closed for renovations. When it reopened after 19 months and $12 million in updates, it would feature an expanded first floor and a glass elevator.

• Problems persisted. In 2004, officials said the Pier approach and Pier head, dating back to the 1920s, were deteriorating and must be replaced.

• In 2010, the City Council voted for demolition.

• The inverted pyramid closed for good May 31, 2013.

It would take more than two years, punctuated by legal wrangling, a voter referendum and bureaucratic delays, before the demolition eventually began in August.

Next to go: the deck around the pyramid and the approach or bridge. Sonny Glasbrenner Inc., the company doing the work, said it will move barges under the structures to prevent debris from falling into the bay. Demolition is scheduled to be complete in February.

Pier Park, a new $46 million project, will take its place. Construction is expected to begin in early 2017.

Contact Waveney Ann Moore at wmoore@tampabay.com or (727) 892-2283. Follow @wmooretimes.