Basis of Design Book 2 - City of St. Petersburg

Technical Interview 5
Summary of Initial Interview for:
Dr. Al Hine, Professor
USF College of Marine Science
Janicki Environmental met with Dr. Al Hine on Friday, July 6th, 2012 to discuss the underwater design feature
associated with the Lens. The interview included some background on the intent of the meeting which was to
facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between key members of the local scientific community and
the design team on the feasibility of including an underwater design feature within the Lens that provides an
attractive habitat that improves ecosystem services, access, and educational opportunities for visitors and
citizens of St. Petersburg. The meeting focused on three key concepts; perception, opportunity, and
partnership.
Dr. Hine has been active as a citizen in keeping informed about the design and has attended public meetings.
Dr. Hine was skeptical about the feasibility to design an underwater feature was sustainable in the long term
because of its connection to the larger estuary.
Dr. Hine spoke of the impacts of sea level rise, hurricanes, and natural events and how they might impact the
underwater feature and the pier itself.
Dr. Hine suggested that physical and chemical oceanographers have the opportunity for input including Dr.
Luther at USF among others.
Dr. Hine was optimistic about the potential to use the feature as a platform for scientific research and
education and gave several examples of how USF might be able to participate using graduate students,
including tours of the bay and plankton net tows to observe the base of the food chain in the estuary. He
spoke of a 3 year grant he previously received to provide hands on environmental education to middle school
children in Pinellas County called Project Tampa Bay and how stimulating that was to the kids.
Dr. Hine suggested that any feature designed as a public attraction should include more than just oysters.
Lastly, we discussed schedule of upcoming events including the “round table” workshop scheduled for July
26th. He is not sure if he is available for this meeting but will confirm his availability as soon as possible.
Technical Interview 6
Summary of Initial Interview for:
Larry Langebrake, Director
SRI, International
Janicki Environmental met with Mr. Langebrake on Tuesday afternoon, July 10th, 2012 to discuss the
underwater design feature associated with the Lens. The interview included some background on the intent
of the meeting which was to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between key members of the
local scientific community and the design team on the feasibility of including an underwater design feature
within the Lens that provides an attractive habitat that improves ecosystem services, access, and educational
opportunities for visitors and citizens of St. Petersburg. The meeting focused on three key concepts;
perception, opportunity, and partnership.
Mr. Langebrake stated that he knew little of the existing design other than that he participated in a meeting
with the short listed firms prior to the final selection of the Lens.
Mr. Langebrake stated that he could not provide an endorsement from SRI on the underwater feature but as a
member of the local scientific community could provide input and technical support.
Mr. Langebrake thought it was feasible to design an underwater feature that could highlight the estuary and
engage the public but questioned the need for such a feature. He spoke of the obligation of the Team to
clearly identify the need for the feature in order to create a path forward towards its definition.
Mr. Langebrake stated that he and SRI are passionate about education, especially with respect to science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and thought that the opportunity existed for the underwater
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