THE CLOSING OF THE ST PETERSBURG (FL) PIER, MAY 31, 2013 (VIDEO)

The St. Petersburg Pier, known locally as The Pier, is a landmark and major tourist destination adjacent to downtown St. Petersburg, Florida and extending into Tampa Bay.

Some of the activities and sights offered at the pier include shopping, dining, nightlife, fishing, boat rentals, weekly festivals, and the Pier Aquarium.

The City of St. Petersburg, Florida plans to demolish The Pier and replace it with a new design. A protest campaign to save the existing pier has developed.

The Pier is known for its five-story inverted pyramid shape overlooking Tampa Bay.

The aquarium is located on the second floor, with a branch of Ybor City's famed Columbia Restaurant on the fourth floor and Cha Cha Coconuts Tropical Bar and Grill on the fifth floor.

The first floor includes a Concierge Center, specialty shops and galleries, Waterside Grill & Bar, and the Dockside Eatery food court with burgers, pizza, ice cream and Chinese.

Local bands are featured in Courtyard by the Bay every Sunday afternoon.

On August 18, 2010, the St. Petersburg City Council accepted Mayor Bill Foster's recommendation to demolish the current Pier in a straw-poll vote, 5-3 after a two-hour workshop.

A binding vote, 7--1, was taken at an August 26 meeting.
On January 20, 2012, the St. Petersburg Pier Competition Jury unanimously selected Michael Maltzan Architecture's "The Lens" as the design for the new pier.

The 1973 Pier is scheduled to close May 31, 2013.

In September 2012, the city applied to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to demolish the pier. Approval will take 6 to 12 months.

MORE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Petersburg_Pier