Will Army Corps of Engineers Approve Pier Demolition?

With a lack of a second, a motion to keep the St. Petersburg Pier open past May 31 was denied. Its scheduled August demolition, however, is not set in stone.

For the city to demolish the pier and construct the "Lens", the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — and the Southwest Florida Water Management District— must approve of the demolition.

On April 19, the Army Corps of Engineers put out a public notice for comments regarding the pier's pending demolition. All comments are due by May 3, which is a day after council will get new design details of the "Lens" pier and vote on the next phase of funding for the "Lens."

Stop the Lens has asked its member to contact the Corps to request a public hearing before the agency approves of the city's demolition and construction proposal.

The Army Corps of Engineers said, "the decision whether to issue or deny this permit will be based on the evaluation of the probable impact to the associated wetlands and on the information received through this public notice. The Corps’ decision is pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which authorized the Corps to regulate dredge and fill activities in waters of the United States."

Piering into the Details from City's Army Corps Application

• The footprint of the pier will go from 230,000-square-feet to 121,700-square-feet.
• The pier deck will be demolished or cut into smaller segments and be lifted off the pier utilizing cranes located on the adjacent deck area or on barges.
• The old pier deck would be transported to an upland landfill or to the Albert Whitted Airport to construct a shoreline stabilization revetment. 
• The new pier and promontory would be partially covered by an aluminum-faced canopy, and the canopy support structure would include an elevator and stair enclosure to allow access to observation decks and walkways.
• The proposed project includes a 24-slip day-use marina for boats ranging from 25 to 40 feet long, and would provide opportunities for rental of non-motorized watercraft.
• The number of piles required to support the proposed new pier would be reduced by 825 from the existing pier, and the proposed new structure would reduce shading impacts by approximately 47 percent

For a full review of the city's proposed plans to the Army Corps of Engineers, click here. 

To submit comments: Comments regarding the potential authorization of the proposed work should be submitted in writing by Friday, May 3, 2013 to: District Engineer, Tampa Permits Section, 10117 Princes Palm Avenue, Suite 120, Tampa, Fla. 33610-8302, or by email to darlene.dannels@usace.army.mil. 

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