Since its earliest days as a growing fishing village on Florida's west coast in the late 1800s, a pier has been the centerpiece of St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront. Today, St. Petersburg has released a Request for Qualifications to the architectural and engineering community for design of a new or renovated pier structure.
Submission of the statement of qualifications is due on Sept. 5. A selection committee will shortlist the most qualified design teams, who are then invited to the second phase of the process.
During stage two, the shortlisted design teams will each receive a $30,000 stipend to submit an initial design concept, complete with reports, renderings, cost estimates and a description of how the programmatic elements meet the findings of the Pier Working Group (a 21-member volunteer citizen committee appointed by Mayor Rick Kriseman).
It is expected that a final plan will be approved and contract negotiations will begin with the accepted team early next year.
Design teams interested in obtaining information on the city's request for qualifications should visit the Pier website. The website also provides volumes of background information and public input generated during a multi-year community process that preceded the current process.
St. Petersburg, Florida's fifth largest city with more than 250,000 residents, has been called one of the south's best downtowns, and has been ranked the No. 1 arts destination for cities of its size for three years in a row. This year, the New York Times listed the Sunshine City as one of 52 "must visit" places worldwide in 2014, trumpeting the city's cultural climate, arts scene, and pedestrian-friendly downtown.
Related Stories
Architects | Mar 11, 2016
German artist recreates Brutalist buildings with LEGO blocks
Arndt Schlaudraff brings the beauty out of the rugged, linear style of buildings most popular a half century ago.
Architects | Mar 11, 2016
Architecture for Humanity rebrands itself as Open Architecture Collaborative
With a new name, logo, and mission, the Open Architecture Collaborative is seeking a fresh start.
Architects | Mar 11, 2016
AIA survey finds many women and minority architects still feeling underrepresented and unfulfilled
Dissatisfaction with “work-life balance” and compensation are cited as reasons why companies’ diversity strategies may be faltering.
University Buildings | Mar 11, 2016
How architects can help community colleges promote community on campus
Even in the face of funding challenges and historic precedent, there are emerging examples of how partnership between two-year academic institutions and designers can further elevate community on campus. CannonDesign's Carisima Koenig has a few key examples.
Architects | Mar 10, 2016
Value engineering: How to manage the process and limit the risk of VE
AEC consultant Steve Whitehorn shares several ways in which architects can be more effective managers of value-engineered change.
Architects | Mar 9, 2016
Two Houston firms merge to form Method Architecture
In mid-2016, Architects-Plus and Three Square Design Group will join to make a studio that will design industrial centers, corporate interiors, breweries, and more.
Hotel Facilities | Mar 7, 2016
Exclusive villas and spa in China will be built at the center of a lake
The only connection between the complex and the mainland will be a narrow pedestrian bridge.
Office Buildings | Mar 2, 2016
HDR redesigns Twin Cities' studio to have coffee shop vibe
With open spaces, huddle rooms, and a design lab, the firm's new digs are drastically different than the old studio, which felt like working in a law office. Design Principal Mike Rodriguez highlights HDR's renovation plan.
Architects | Feb 25, 2016
12 architects selected for 2016 AIA Young Architects Award
Winners include Amy Kalar and Karen Lu, both with HGA, BNIM's Carey Nagle, and MSR Design's Bob Ganser.
Architects | Feb 24, 2016
Is the booming freelance economy a threat to AEC firms?
By shifting the work (and revenue) to freelancers, “platform capitalism” startups have taken considerable market share from traditional businesses.