Book 1 - City of St. Petersburg

BASIS OF DESIGN BOOK 1
3 GENERAL PLANNING CRITERIA
UNDERWATER FEATURE
CRITERIA
Introduction
An Underwater Feature at the center of the Lens, focused on life
beneath the bay surface, has been an important concept since
the initial design ideas. During the 10-week competition phase,
the idea relied on cultivating oysters as a key habitat species
that could provide a foundation for a diverse food web and an
improvement in water clarity. Additionally, there was interest in
re-using the piles of the existing pier as a structural framework
for layers of habitat “trays” or nets to create a home for these
species. During the competition, the team was advised by Jim
Culter, a respected benthic scientist at Mote Marine Lab in
Sarasota, and Robert Semmes of ATM, Coastal Engineers.
Following the competition, the team began an outreach effort,
organized by Janicki Environmental, to the local marine science
community, as well as habitat restoration advocates and other
stakeholders. A roundtable with members of the marine science
and ocean communities generated some important comments,
ideas, and suggestions for what the feature could entail,
provided the availability of future funding.
• Tampa Bay water is turbid by nature, leading to
skepticism that oysters could significantly alter the water
clarity given the exchange rates likely between waters
inside and outside the Lens.
• Due to its depth and location, the feature would need to
resist strong waves.
• Habitat creation should focus on creating a variety of
sheltered spaces and surfaces adaptable to all species
typical for this location.
• Use of equipment, such as cameras and audio phones,
should be considered to facilitate monitoring and
underwater imagery, both of which, when combined with
nighttime lighting, could greatly improve public appeal.
• The feature has great potential to enhance educational
and research activities and the visibility of local marine
science institutions, while simultaneously creating a
framework for interested members of the St. Petersburg
community.
Following the roundtable, the design team examined a variety of
options for artificial reef construction and imaging / monitoring
technology. Reef options included both building up from the
bay bottom with structures minimizing the “footprint”, and
techniques for suspending reef modules from a structural
framework anchored by the existing piles. After individual review
with some members of the scientific community, several of these
options have good possibilities for habitat generation, while
appearing to be realizable at reasonable cost.
3 - 108
THE NEW ST. PETERSBURG PIER