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Plaza seen as the 'heart and soul' of St. Petersburg's Pier District

 
A view of the downtown St. Petersburg skyline and waterfront from over Tampa Bay looking west. The area in the center foreground, at the base of the old pier, is where officials envision a plaza that would be 'the heart and soul' of the planned Pier District.
A view of the downtown St. Petersburg skyline and waterfront from over Tampa Bay looking west. The area in the center foreground, at the base of the old pier, is where officials envision a plaza that would be 'the heart and soul' of the planned Pier District.
Published Oct. 19, 2016

ST. PETERSBURG — A large waterfront plaza has emerged as the centerpiece of the 25-acre Pier project planned for downtown, acting as a gathering spot that would serve as the city's "living room."

It's "the heart and soul of the whole project," city architect Raul Quintana said Wednesday, addressing a committee that will decide what kind of public art should grace the $66 million Pier District.

The plaza would be near Spa Beach, a tram stop and a children's play zone, sitting between the pier approach and Pier itself. It's where a pavilion would provide shade, snacks, restrooms and maybe even Adirondack chairs. Those features would sit near a children's splash pad.

"It's the place where we believe families are going to congregate," Quintana said.

The plaza, which is evolving in its design, is one of several sites being considered by the pier public art committee. Quintana said it would bridge both parts of the Pier District — the pier, which will stretch 1,265 feet into Tampa Bay and include Spa Beach, and the pier approach, which will run from Beach Drive to Spa Beach.

Other possible sites for public art include a viewing area overlooking the Vinoy Basin, the Spa Beach lawn and an entry point to the Pier District at Bayshore Drive.

Financial constraints forced the committee to eliminate some locations from consideration, including a market area and a proposed "gateway" to the Pier.

Quintana offered other project updates Wednesday. He said that the district's overwater portion "is on the cusp of moving into the final design stage."

"The superstructure, the piles, and the bridge is half of our budget, " he said, adding that the emphasis is to make sure they are "done to the level of quality that is going to live out there for 100 years."

He conceded that the overall project budget is a challenge.

The pier public art committee, appointed by the city's Public Arts Commission, also is working within a tight budget. Members hope to supplement the almost $400,000 allotted for pier public art with private donations.

Consultant Ann Wykell, a former cultural affairs manager for the city, who is being paid $10,000 by the commission, has been hired to supply the committee with a curated list of artists from which to choose, and to help solicit additional funds for the project.

The committee's job is to pick an artist, artwork and installation site or sites and make a recommendation to the commission, which will send its decision to the City Council for approval.

Work on the Pier District is scheduled to begin early in 2017, with a grand opening expected late in 2018.

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