Basis of Design Book 2 - City of St. Petersburg

MEETING TOPICS
Meaning and Purpose
1. To engage the bay environment and increase understanding of estuary, now and in the future.
2. Project can become a platform / interface with Tampa Bay for learning, research, education that could
evolve over time
3. Two contrasting approaches - Minimalist – Start with nothing and work up carefully from there vs.
First you need something iconic to attract people – the WOW factor
4. Important for public to understand the need for restoration
5. Society becoming less scientifically literate, we can use this as a tool to educate. We won’t understand
the earth better until we visualize it better.
Physical Setting / Conditions
1. Water clarity – it will not be possible to see very far into the water. This is a challenge that must be
solved to provide real public interest in underwater marine life
2. Location –is far enough from shore and deep enough (10-12’) that there will be stronger currents than
shoreline and storms will be a stress on habitat features
3. Piles – 16” square and extend 40’ below mud line. Deterioration is mostly at air / water interface.
Below the water there is still some structural integrity. Perhaps they can be cutoff, capped, and
reused subject to further testing
4. Total area inside Lens – ~1.25 acres
5. Conflicting uses – keep both fishing and boating out of the feature
6. What can feasibly be permitted will be key
Biology
1. Oysters – grow in right locations but opinions strongly differ on how much they could clarify the water
inside the Lens.
2. Oysters are a keystone species and create conditions for other species but are not interesting visually
on their own.
3. People want to see big things -Manatees, dolphins, schooling fish are desirable as a feature – bigger
the better.
4. Create a mosaic of habitats that includes underwater, intertidal, and emergent ideas.
5. Birds have not been considered but would present on any emergent feature.
6. Rehab programs- could release recovered animals there
Possible Reef Structures
1. Opinions differ whether what is created should try precisely replicate natural conditions or accept
some artificialities.
2. Need to elevate habitat close to surface, intertidal zone for visual access
3. Reef balls – concrete or limestone – could be attached to piles
4. Structural connections could be made between piles to help create a more extensive structure for
possibly custom reef modules
5. Possibility of building up from bay bottom with boulders to create more natural reef condition,
possibly break high tide line. Whether this is permittable or considered “fill” would be key.
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