Reacting to public criticism about "The Lens" — his concept for a new St. Petersburg Pier — Los Angeles-based architect Michael Maltzan and his team unveiled their new designs a week ago. The team went before the St. Pete City Council on Tuesday afternoon to elaborate on those changes, and what they mean for the final product.
Local architect Lisa Wannemacher is working with Maltzan. She began her portion of the hour-long presentation by emphasizing that through community education, people are starting to buy into supporting The Lens.
"We have taken the public's comments very seriously," she maintained. She vowed that The Lens "is and will continue to be an evolving design."
Some of the changes include a shaded amphitheater at the end of The Pier, and the area known as the Hub has been moved just south of the access roads. A waterside restaurant is also planned for the Hub.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2012.