Should citizens get to vote on new St. Pete pier?

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Lens is the $50 million design picked by city leaders. It would replace the old inverted pyramid that's been a St. Petersburg landmark for decades.

But Lenny Flank is among those who want to be heard before the wrecking ball takes the current pier down.
"This is an iconic building and tearing it down is like tearing down the arch in St. Louis."

A small group, including Occupy St. Pete members, came to city hall this morning. They hope they'll have a chance to vote on the pier's future.

"It's not your money, you eight folks up there. This is our money," resident Vince Cox said during the public comment portion of Thursday's city council meeting.

Wengay Newton Sr. was the only city council member to vote against going forward with the Lens.  "The process was fine as it was, except you forgot about the people that have to pay for this party. And I'm not talking about input, I'm talking about being able to vote."

Council member Charlie Gerdes said the people have already been heard throughout the selection process, including a poll that found 70 percent agree the Lens is the best choice.  "That's going to continue. That public input process that collaborative process. It's been described this isn't the end -- it's the beginning. And I expect that's what going to happen."

Lisa Wannemacher spoke on behalf of the Los Angeles architecture firm that will now negotiate with the city.  Their design features twin bridge paths that will go over the water and a view of an underwater reef.  "We are all going to be winners, all of us who own businesses. All of us who are residents downtown and around the community."

Mayor Bill Foster isn't against a vote. But he says there are so many options. He wants to make sure a referendum would be specific to what the people really want.

"A lot of people that I've talked to who want a referendum just don't want to spend the money, so it's not just a matter of building this or keeping this, it's tear it down and do nothing."

More public meetings are planned to discuss The Lens design. And the council will have more voting to do before final approval.