Ready or not, the St. Pete Pier is coming (soon). The hotly anticipated revitalization of St. Pete’s waterfront pier has spanned years. Countless design proposals were made, pitches for concert venues, restaurants, docks and the like were all weighed by city officials and the public before a final concept was chosen.

The Pier design team is a partnership between ASD Architects, Rogers Partners Architects + Urban Designers and Ken Smith Landscape Architects. The Pier Approach design team is a partnership between W Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Wannemacher Jensen Architects.

Bird’s-eye-view of Pier construction 

This aerial construction view shows the pier and pier approach coming closer and closer to reality.

“You can now see vertical construction, the pathways, expanded Spa Beach,” wrote St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman in a Facebook post. “Check out the tilted lawn. The world is going to love the new St. Pete Pier, recreation amenities, restaurants, learning, and more.”

The final design will feature Doc Ford’s restaurant, backed by prolific Florida author Randy Wayne White.

Several new restaurants/shops set to open at the Pier

What else is opening at the Pier?

Officials approved a grab and go concept back in August of 2018 called The Pavilion Café. THe fast casual concept will offer “grab and go” food items as well as other, healthy and traditional food selections. They will operate a “green” business, committed to recycling and offering recyclable containers.

There will also be a fishing gear shop called Gator Jim’s Tackle and Bait Shack. The concept coincides with the expanding pier fishing spots.

A gift shop is also in the works. The gift shop will feature top quality fishing gear, name brand sunglasses, jewelry and art by local artists, clothing and beach supplies including: floats, towels, swimsuits, sunscreen, hats, noted officials in a press release.

City purchases tram cars for new Pier

Of course, all residents know the trek from Beach Drive to the furthest reach of pier can be a bit jarring during the summer. In December 2018, the St. Pete City Council approved the purchase of three 12-passenger, gasoline-powered trams, each pulling a 35-passenger trailer.

The trams will be ADA accessible and are designed to be able to carry an additional 35-passenger trailer, if needed.

Keeping with the green city theme, St. Pete also approved the purchase of two electric-powered tram cars, which will carry 11 passengers each.

Multiple stops along Pier and Pier Approach

The vehicles will make three stops along the Pier; at the former Pelican parking lot, where the Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is being built, at the Pier head, and a third close to Bayshore Drive NE, according to a press release.

You can keep up with the latest Pier related news by visiting the project’s official website.

Are you excited to see the new Pier debut in the Sunshine City? Let us know in the comments.