Lens takes first place recommendation in Pier design competition

St. Petersburg's new landmark could be the Lens, pending St. Pete City Council approval.

Michael Maltzan's Lens design got voted number one by the Pier design jury during its final meeting Friday morning. The Wave, by BIG, placed second and West 8 Urban Designs placed last. The jury received over 5,000 comments from the website and exhibit at the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

In Friday's discussion, the jury found that the Lens project would have the lowest subsidy cost for maintenance and greatest flexibility for design elements. According to city officials at the meeting, the current cost to maintain the pier is between $1.3 and $1.5 million. The Wave had the highest potential subsidy, but also the highest potential revenue.

This article appears in Jan 19-25, 2012.