St. Pete Pier Magazine

IN THIS Issue

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Piers Through The Years

Follow St.

@StPetePier stpetepier @StPetePier www.StPetePier.org www.StPetePierMagazine.com

Noted historian Will Michaels on how the city’s piers have evolved since the late 1880’s

Award-Winning Design

Creating St. Pete PierTM with time and a great team

Discover Cultured St. Pete Update on what’s happening at the Pier and things to see and do while you enjoy downtown

The Pier Promotes Public Art From “Bending Arc” to mini-murals, art is at the heart of this new pier

Kids Stuff at The Pier

Family time at the Pier Plaza and the Glazer Family Playground

Dining at The Pier

Plenty of options for food and drinks, from fine dining to ice cream cones

Fishing Report

Yes, you can fish off the Pier Head at the eastern end of the Pier! One Planet With One Ocean Environmental learning at Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

Pier Marketplace

Keep it local and shop at the Pier

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about visiting the Pier

How to Get To The Pier

The Cross Bay Ferry and our city transportation system make it easy Maps

WELCOME to the St. Pete Pier

Greetings from the City of St. Petersburg! I hope you will enjoy this inaugural issue of St. Pete Pier, a publication dedicated to the St. Pete Pier, a 26-acre jewel on the City’s sparkling waterfront.

Today’s Pier is the result of powerful collaborations and public input. Opened in July 2020, the new Pier provided a safe, welcoming environment and cost-free respite at a time when it was needed most. The Pier has quickly become an inclusive destination for St. Pete residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Its annual attendance of 2.3 million is significantly higher than original projections, largely because it offers something for everyone, seven days a week, and exists for the enjoyment of all who live, work, and visit here.

We invite you to soak up the local culture and view the eclectic artwork designed by world-renowned artists specifically for the Pier. Unwind with a fabulous meal enveloped by spectacular views. Take a power walk or a casual stroll. Enjoy an afternoon of fishing, shopping, or playing with the kids. You will also find a bevy of beautiful treasures in downtown St. Pete and the surrounding areas.

Dive into the pages of this magazine and uncover your own special experience. Explore the many opportunities that await your visit to the Southeast’s largest waterfront district and discover what makes St. Pete’s newest asset a world class amenity. Once you realize all there is to see and do, I’m confident your visit to the St. Pete Pier will exceed expectations and stretch your imagination!

We Are St. Pete,

Kenneth T. Welch Mayor

Sharon Van Rite, Publisher Cindy Dobyns, Editor Zina Cochran, Creative Director

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein; however, neither the City of St. Petersburg, Florida nor Platinum Media Services of SWFL, Inc. shall be held liable for any errors or omissions.

Copyright Platinum Media Services of SWFL, Inc. 2023. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, including digital/ internet reproduction, without written permission from the City of St. Petersburg and Platinum Media Services of SWFL, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of the City of St. Petersburg.

PIERS through the years

The evolution of the Pier

Piers and St. Petersburg are virtually synonymous. The city was founded by John and Sarah Williams and Peter Demens in 1888. The Williams owned the land and had visions of a great city. Back then to be a great city a railroad was required. Peter Demens, owner of the Orange Belt Railway agreed to route his railroad to the new city in exchange for a prime share of the anticipated downtown real estate. Part of the deal was that he would extend his railroad tracks out over a pier reaching water 12 feet deep to accomplish cargo exchange between ships and the train. Demens probably did not know how shallow Tampa Bay was, as it took 3,000 feet of pier to reach that depth. Over time the piers became tourist attractions and amenities for residents. Shipping activities were relocated to Bayboro Harbor, adjacent to the current site of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus. The Railroad Pier was located just south of today’s St. Pete Pier, now known as Demens Landing.

The Railroad Pier and the Orange Belt Railway were eventually acquired by railroad entrepreneur Henry B. Plant. Plant also had his own shipping interests, and those that were not a part of his system paid a fee to use the pier. Some thought this wrong. One such person was boatbuilder D.F.S. Brantley. In 1896 Brantley built another pier named after himself to compete. The Brantley Pier was 1,500 feet long. A horse-drawn flat car was used to shuttle goods and passengers from water’s edge to and from moored ships at the pier’s head. It also boasted a 34-room bathing pavilion which proved most popular. The Brantley Pier began the tradition of the downtown 2nd Avenue Northeast piers.

In 1906 The Brantley Pier was replaced by the Electric Pier. This pier was developed by Frank Davis who owned the St. Petersburg Electric Light & Power Company and the St. Petersburg & Gulf Electric Railway, a streetcar utility. Davis used his ready access to electric power to line the pier with hundreds of electric lights. He also extended his streetcar operation all the way down the pier bridge.

The Electric Pier was succeeded in 1913 by the Municipal Recreation Pier. This was the first pier to accommodate automobiles. Various amenities were located along the pier approach including an indoor swimming pool called the Spa and the adjacent Spa Beach, aquarium, history museum, dance hall and banquet facility. Of particular note, a hangar

By Will Michaels

was built in 1914 for the world’s first airline. The location of a hangar on the pier approach at first may seem curious. However, the airline used airboats or what are now called seaplanes. On New Year’s Day, 1914, pioneer pilot Tony Jannus flew the first flight of the world’s first airline from the Central Yacht Basin by the pier across the bay to Tampa and back. Later, additional hangars were constructed for other seaplanes. The current Pier includes a full-size sculpture of the first airliner, the Benoist Airboat. The most destructive hurricane to hit the area since 1848 damaged the wooden Municipal Pier in 1921. While it was repaired it was eventually replaced by the Million Dollar Pier.

During the era of segregation African Americans were not welcome at the piers. For example, they were restricted from Spa Beach, and a modest, ill-kept beach was designated for their use at Demens Landing.

Opened in 1926, the Million Dollar Pier, with its casino building at the east end, was also a major tourist attraction for the city and a popular gathering space for residents. The Pier extended 1,452 feet including the pier head and accommodated a 100-foot-wide two-lane bridge and a streetcar line which delivered passengers right into the casino. The casino included an observation deck, bait houses, and the WSUN radio station. The Pier was called the Million Dollar Pier because that was almost exactly what it cost to build--$998,729.18 to be exact.

The Million Dollar Pier and casino in 1926.

Despite the name Casino for the huge building at the pier head, no gambling was allowed. Designed in the most popular architectural style in St. Petersburg in the 1920s, the Pier incorporated Spanish, Italian, and Moorish elements, rounding out the City’s Mediterranean Revival-style heritage. A Solarium for nude sunbathing was constructed on the pier approach in 1930, and in 1954 a Senior Citizens Center was established with the help of Evelyn Rittenhouse and Doc Webb of the celebrated World’s Most Unusual Drug Store. (Rittenhouse was also a founder of the world-famous Kids and Kubs Senior Softball League which still plays at North Shore Park.) The Million Dollar Pier was demolished in 1967 due to deterioration and a desire on the part of some city leaders to see a modern replacement.

The Inverted Pyramid, with its radical, forward-thinking structure was built on top of the 1926 pier foundation. It was designed by noted architect William Harvard, Sr. Completed and opened to the public in 1973, the iconic design continued the tradition of an over-water public gathering place and tourist attraction in downtown St. Petersburg for four decades.

The new St. Pete Pier succeeded the Inverted Pyramid Pier opening in 2020. Its history is now in your hands.

From its earliest days in the late 1800s, St. Petersburg and its piers have been intricately linked. There have been many iterations of a pier over the years including:

1889 – The Railroad Pier

1896 – The Brantley Pier

1900 – The Fountain of Youth Pier

1906 – The Electric Pier

1913 – Municipal Recreation Pier

1926 – Million Dollar Pier

1973 – Inverted Pyramid Pier

2020 – St. Pete Pier

Will Michaels is a St. Pete historian and was a member of the 2010 Pier Task Force and the subsequent Pier Alliance. He is also the Chair of the Pier and Parks Committee for the Council of Neighborhood Associations. More about Pier history may be found in his book The Making of St. Petersburg.

This article first appeared in the Northeast Journal and is reprinted with permission.

An early postcard shows the Million Dollar Pier and casino, 1926.

The inverted pyramid pier, 1973.

The current St. Pete Pier, 2020.

AWARD-WINNING design

Creating the look of the Pier

It is not an exaggeration to say that the St. Pete PierTM is an entirely new model for waterfront cities, an example of urban infrastructure without precedent. Redefining the capabilities and features of a modern pier, the Pier is an extension of St. Pete’s bustling city center, offering a picturesque urban beach area, a vast, design-forward children’s playground, variety of dining spots, marketplace with local vendors, tree laden walkways, an ecotourism center and so much more. From children to seniors, nature lovers to art enthusiasts, fishermen to foodies – St. Pete Pier has something for everyone.

Raul Quintana has been with the City for 25 years, and City Architect for the past 15. He was involved in its entire evolution from the iconic inverted pyramid so many people remember.

“The issue was not to eliminate the inverted pyramid. It had more to do with the service life of the superstructure of the bridge and the platform surrounding the building. Structures in an environment of unlimited sunshine and salt water don’t last long and it was built in the ‘20s,” said Quintana. A structural engineering report commissioned in 2004 and 2005 indicated the deck and bridge needed to be replaced.

“To answer the question, ‘replaced with what?’, we reached out to community groups, not just residents, but educators, the boating community, the disabled, parks and recreation, native plant society, public arts organizations and others. Many groups were engaged to help us pull the project together,” Quintana explained. “We needed the public to be engaged. Nobody knew what it was going to be. We developed a process that got us to the end that incorporated what the public said they wanted. We ended up with an asset we are proud of, that is worthy of a City landmark.”

“Florida is all about outdoor experiences. Our instructions to the design team were about getting people closer to the water’s edge and creating public space with active experiential spaces that people could enjoy from the entrance to the very end,” said Quintana.

One of the most significant challenges, as well as a terrific opportunity, came when additional tax increment financing was made available to expand the project by developing

the Pier Approach. This meant the original project which was the five-acre, over water Pier would need to be blended with an additional 21 acres of uplands. Two different design teams were engaged and tasked with combining these two projects into one seamless experience for visitors. The design teams were Rogers Partners, ASD/SKY, Ken Smith Workshop for the Pier and W Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Wannemacher Jensen Architects for the Pier Approach.

Under the guidance of the City of St. Petersburg and former Mayor Rick Kriseman, the designers collaborated with builder SKANSKA and pier management to accomplish the vision for

a new and revitalized waterfront experience. The team considered exactly what the St. Pete Pier could be to reflect the city’s history, to preserve the waterfront, and to create the magic of being in, on and above the water.

Diverse spaces include:

• a coastal thicket

• environmental education center

• tilted lawns that vary the views

• six dining options

• a huge fishing deck

• an outdoor market

• playground

• beach

• cycling paths

• courtesy docks for boaters

Highly talented designers collaborated to create the St. Pete Pier you can experience today.

The award-winning design connects the Pier to the daily life of downtown St. Pete, tying into transportation and recreation systems such as bike paths, jogging trails, parking locations, and public transit systems including a tram that runs the length of the Pier.

A new artificial reef and breakwater gave downtown St. Pete a naturalized beach enhancing the recreational use while providing more suitable environments for marine animals and seagrass habitats.

The Pier has earned numerous awards, most notably, the Urban Land Institute’s 2022 ULI Global Awards for Excellence, a top honor recognizing the best new urban designs.

Judging by all the awards won, the number of people who populate the new Pier daily, and the reviews, the Pier is considered an architectural marvel and a great success. The Pier represents a significant civic investment by the City of St. Petersburg in the city’s bright future.

Today’s Pier comprises 26 acres of activated space downtown. Each day, visitors enjoy countless experiences, from pop-up performances to inspiring public art installations. In addition, the Pier hosts major events throughout the year, including concerts, markets, and more. To see the latest schedule, visit the website at StPetePier.org

The St. Pete Pier™ Earns Design Awards Galore!

As recent as October of 2022, The St. Pete Pier was selected as one of six winners of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2022 Global Awards for Excellence, a top honor recognizing the best new urban designs in the world. The St. Pete Pier was one of two designs in the U.S. to be awarded. The Pier also had previously earned ULI’s Americas Awards for Excellence uli.org/aae as the only project in the Southeastern U.S. to be awarded from a field of 68 projects and programs in the country. The Awards for Excellence program is the centerpiece of ULI’s efforts to identify and promote best practices in all types of real estate development.

“This is an incredible, meaningful accomplishment for our city and our iconic waterfront. The ULI Global Awards for Excellence win puts the St. Pete Pier on the map as a world class destination for residents and visitors alike. Thank you to the ULI and members of the jury for honoring us with this award,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch.

Among the categories for the ULI awards—Equitable Development, LowCarbon Development, Resilient Development, Small-Scale Development, and Urban Open Space. The St. Pete Pier was recognized in the Urban Open Space category.

Other Awards Earned Since Inception

The City and members from all of the design and construction teams involved in the development of The St. Pete Pier have earned numerous awards since the project began, including:

2022 Dezeen Jurists’ Vote and Dezeen People’s Vote

“Bending Arc” sculpture; Studio Echelman

2022 ULI Global Awards for Excellence

City of St. Petersburg

2022 Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Award

“Best Place to Get the Perfect Instagram Photo”

2022 Tampa Bay Times People’s Choice

Bronze award Best Local Tourist Attraction

2022 The European Centre and The Chicago Athenaeum

The International Architecture Award® for Pier Approach

W Architecture & Landscape Architecture

2022 AIA Florida Awards of Excellence in Sustainability Merit, Wannemacher Jensen Architects. and W Architecture & Landscape Architecture

2022 Architizer A+Awards Popular Choice Winner

Government & Civic Buildings category Rogers Partners

2022 Finalist ULI Americas Awards for Excellence

Urban Land Institute

City of St. Petersburg

2021 AIA Tri-State Merit Design Award, Merit Award for Regional and Urban Design

Tri-State AIA new Jersey, AIA New York State, and AIA Pennsylvania

Rogers Partners

2021 Tampa Bay CREW –Community Impact Award

City of St. Petersburg

2021 AIA Tampa Bay Design Award for the Pier Marketplace

Wannemacher Jensen Architects

ABC ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS

2021 “Excellence In Construction” in the category of Institutional Projects over $20MM from Associated Builders and Contractors Inc (ABC): Florida Gulf Coast Chapter

2021 Landscape/Urban Development Best Project Engineering News Record (ENR)

Southeast’s Best Projects

Submitted by Skanska USA Building Inc.

2021 “Excellence In Construction” in the category of Institutional Projects over $20MM from Associated Builders and Contractors Inc (ABC): Florida Gulf Coast Chapter

2021 American Architecture Award

The Chicago Athenaeum St Petersburg Pier Approach.

W Architecture and Landscape Architecture

2021 Merit Award ASLA NY Chapter St Petersburg Pier Approach. W Architecture and Landscape Architecture

2021 AIA FLORIDA/CARRIBEAN AWARD OF EXELLENCE

ASD|Sky Architects and Rogers Partners

2021 Green Good Design: Green Urban Planning/Landscape Architecture Award

2020 EXCELLENCE ON THE WATERFRONT HONOR AWARD

(The Waterfront Center)

St. Petersburg Approach: W Architecture and Landscape Architecture

2020 AIA TAMPA BAY CHAPTER

H. Dean Rowe, FAIA Award for Design Excellence: ASD/SKY AND Rogers Partners Architects + Urban Designers

2020 Architect’s Newspaper: Best Infrastructure Project of 2020

2020 Building of the Week on WorldArchitects.com

2020 Building and Roofing Awards

(New Metal Roofing Category Winner): Skanska

Metal Construction News; metalconstructionnews.com/articles/ the-2020-metal-construction-newsbuilding-roofingawards

2020 USA TODAY’S 10 BEST READER’S CHOICE

#2 for Best New Attraction; 10best. com/awards/travel/best-newattraction-2020/

2018 AIA FLORIDA

Honor Award for Unbuilt Design The New St. Petersburg Pier | ASD|SKY St. Petersburg Pier Market | Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

2017 The European Centre and The Chicago Athenaeum, American Architecture Award

2017 The European Centre and The Chicago Athenaeum, Green Good Design Award

2017 World Landscape Architecture Award

2016 International Design Awards, Gold Medal for Urban Design

2016 AIA NY CHAPTER Design Awards Rogers Partners Architects+Urban Designers: St. Pete Pier

W Architecture and Landscape

Architecture: St. Pete Pier Approach

2016 AIA TAMPA BAY CHAPTER Honor Award

ASD|SKY and Rogers Partners for The New St. Pete Pier Design

We have everything you need for the Beach, Pool, Boat, Sandbar or Tiki Bar:

DISCOVER cultured St. Pete

Lots to see and do at the Pier and Downtown

St. Petersburg is home to dozens of performing arts companies, museums, theatrical and concert venues, studios, galleries and outdoor festivals. The annual SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Arts Festival adds vibrant expressions of art on buildings and traffic signal boxes created by international and local artists. March 3 – 5 of this year, the streets of downtown St. Pete will come alive with the 19th annual Firestone Grand Prix. St. Pete Pride, a month-long celebration, is the biggest Pride event in Florida and ranks in the top 40 largest pride celebrations in the world. To learn about all of St. Pete’s events and festivals, please visit StPete.org/events.

AMERICAN STAGE THEATRE COMPANY

163 3rd St. N 727-823-7529

Americanstage.org

@americanstage

American Stage Theatre Company, founded in 1977, aims to tell powerful stories, in a bold way. American Stage presents five Mainstage productions in the 182-seat Raymond James Theatre year-round and an annual community musical at Demens Landing Park every spring. They also operate a drama school, serving both adults and children who are pursuing training in the performing arts.

DR. CARTER G. WOODSON AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

2240 9th Ave. S 727-323-1104

Woodsonmuseum.org

@woodsonmuseum

The Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, fondly known as The Woodson, is an institution in St. Pete’s African American community. Exhibits are dedicated to the rich history of the city, credited to the African Americans who played a crucial role in its growth since the late 1800s. It consists of gallery space, event space, and beautiful gardens, all providing a forum for the education and preservation of African American history, equal rights and social justice. The Woodson: Museum, Gardens and Visitor Center, a renovated and expanded museum is being planned. The 29,000-square-foot

facility will include three galleries, a sculpture garden and a justice center, which can be used to host community conversations as well as serve as educational space.

CHIHULY COLLECTION

PRESENTED BY THE MOREAN ARTS CENTER

720 Central Ave.

727-822-7872

MoreanArtsCenter.org

@ChihulyStPete

Located in the vibrant Central Arts District in St. Petersburg, the Collection offers visitors a look at several of Chihuly’s series work: Chandeliers, Macchia, Drawings, Persians, Niijima Floats, Mille Fiori, Neon, and Ikebana, which have thrilled audiences around the globe. Each space has been designed individually to complement each installation, producing unique visual experiences. A temporary exhibition space features glass artists from around the country in rotating showcases in addition to the theatre which shows films about the work of Dale Chihuly, all included with admission to the Collection, as well as a visit to the Morean Glass Studio for live local glass-blowing demonstrations.

MOREAN ARTS CENTER

719 Central Ave.

727-822-7872

MoreanArtsCenter.org

@MoreanArts

The free Morean Arts Center Galleries feature more than 30 exhibitions each year that promote local, regional and national contemporary artists. Art classes and workshops are held for all ages and abilities year-round. At the Morean’s Glass Studio, watch working artists create magnificent glass pieces or book one-on-one or small group experiences. The Morean Center for Clay, housed in the restored Historic Train Station on 22nd Street South, is the largest working pottery in the Southeast with a goal of promoting and enhancing the education of contemporary and historic ceramics. Collectors, visitors and artists alike will appreciate the variety of highquality clay work available for purchase. Stop by and watch artists at work or get in on the action with custom hands-on pottery making.

Morean Arts Center

Photo/Morea Arts Center

THE DALI ' MUSEUM

One Dali Boulevard

727-823-3767

TheDali.org

@TheDaliMuseum

#TheDali

The Dalí houses more than 2,400 pieces of art by Salvador Dalí, including 96 oil paintings and eight of the artist’s renowned Master Works— paintings that measure more than five feet. A large geodesic glass bubble known as the enigma provides a kaleidoscopic view of the waterfront. The Dalí houses a helical staircase resembling a strand of DNA, recognized by Dalí as evidence of the divine in nature. Visitors can view eight of Dalí’s Masterworks in augmented reality to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning behind their complex imagery. Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence, Dalí Lives gives Museum visitors an opportunity to learn more about Salvador Dalí’s life from the person who knew him best: the artist himself.

DUKE ENERGY CENTER FOR THE ARTS -  MAHAFFEY THEATER

400 1st Street SE

727-892-5767

TheMahaffey.com

@MahaffeyTheater; #TheMahaffey

Located in the heart of beautiful Downtown St. Petersburg, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater is a 2,031-seat cultural jewel featuring elegant ballroom space, spectacular waterfront views, and European box-style seating. Just steps away from the culturally vibrant downtown and minutes away from white sandy beaches and worldfamous museums, The Mahaffey hosts top-quality national and international artists and performances – classical, pop, rock, comedy, dance, family, and the renowned Florida Orchestra.

GREAT EXPLORATIONS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

1925 4th St. N

727-821-8992

GreatEx.org

@GreatExKids

For over 35 years, Great Explorations has been Tampa Bay’s preeminent children’s museum supporting practical learning applications through a proven creative curriculum. Our mission remains focused on stimulating learning through creativity, play and exploration. One of America’s top museums for children, Great Explorations features interactive exhibits on

HAPPENINGS at the Pier

There’s always something happening at the Pier, from pop-up events and educational lectures to ongoing local music performances and art displays.

Thanks to local fitness studios hosting yoga sessions, free Pilates, boot camp, and Latin dance classes, anybody and everybody can stay in shape at the St. Pete Pier. The Body Electric presents Sunset Yoga every first Wednesday evening. Burg Fitness often sponsors a Get Fit St. Pete Bootcamp Workout. There’s even something called The Pier Flow Jam hosted by Hoola Monsters that “invites props, but no fire”—definitely a must-see if participation seems daunting! All are free or ask for a nominal donation, such as the popular nighttime Yoga Beats session under the Bending Arc.

Community festivals and holiday celebrations happen throughout the year, weather permitting. Visit StPetePier. org/events/ for an updated list of events, tickets and other information.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT THE PIER

Please note, events are added frequently, so please check the Pier website for updated information.

March 17-19 Reggae Rise Up Yoga Weekend

March 17 .......... Shamrockfest

April 9 ............ Easter Egg Hunt & Festival

June 24-25 St Pete Pride Concert & After Party

July 4 ............ The Fourth of July Celebration

July 16 Tampa Bay Ice Cream Festival

September 2-3 .... St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix

October 7 ......... Piertoberfest

October 14-15 Fall Festival

October 14-22 ..... Pumpkin Patch

November 11 Beer at the Pier

November 18 ...... Sunshine City Smoke-out

December 15-17 ... Holiday Putt Putt

December 31 New Year’s Eve on the Pier

Photo courtesy of VisitStPeteClearwater.com

The Dali ' Museum

Photo/Jeff Cochran

the arts, sciences, health and technology that will amaze, inform and delight the young, and the young at heart. Exhibits include Live and on the Air: Great News!; the Engine Company 15 Fire House; Critter Cave; The Smile Spot; For All Animals; and Longo’s Cove Luckey Climber.

MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT

355 4th St. N 727-440-4859

Museumaacm.org

@Museum_aacm

The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement (MAACM) is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the American Arts and Crafts movement. Founded by local philanthropist and collector Rudy Ciccarello, MAACM is St. Petersburg’s newest museum, with stunning architectural features, incredible works of art, and an ideal location in downtown St. Pete.

exhibitions and public programs for Tampa Bay residents, as well as for visitors from around the globe.

THE JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN & WILDLIFE ART

150 Central Ave. 727-892-4200

TheJamesMuseum.org

@JamesMuseum

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art transports visitors through the rich and diverse heritage of the American West. Its more than 400 works of art evoke the spirit of a wide-open frontier and the beauty of life in the wild. The museum engages the community through a variety of programs and educational opportunities that bring our history and culture to life. Museum cofounders Tom and Mary James share their vast personal collection of Western and wildlife with thousands of visitors by creating an artistic legacy — one populated by emerging artists and living legends and filled with tribal tradition and classical finesse.

IMAGINE MUSEUM

1901 Central Ave.

727-300-1700

ImagineMuseum.com

@imaginemuseumflorida

@imaginemuseum

Expand your imagination and challenge how you think about art. Imagine Museum represents a historical family tree of the Contemporary Glass Art movement from the 1960s to the present. In 2018, founder, philanthropist, artist, and businesswoman Trish Duggan, brought together a collection of artworks to promote an experience that would inspire, uplift, and educate. The collection has expanded to over 1,600 spectacular contemporary artworks representing artists from over 22 countries, including America, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Japan, and Australia—works highlighting the connections and influences among contemporary glass pioneers to the present.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS (MFA)

255 Beach Dr. NE 727-896-2667

MFAstpete.org

@MFAStPete

The Museum of Fine Arts inspires visitors with its renowned collection of art from around the globe and across the centuries. 5,000 years of civilization are represented by thousands of objects extending from antiquity to the present. Highlights include permanent collection galleries showcasing masterpieces from Georgia O’Keeffe, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Auguste Rodin, and Kehinde Wiley. The museum’s photographic collection is one of the largest and most significant in the Southeast. The MFA continues to support community engagement through world-class

OCEAN BLUE GALLERY

284 Beach Drive NE 727-502-2583

OceanBlue.gallery

@OceanBlueArt

With over 55 years of experience specializing in the art world, the owners of Ocean Blue Galleries in Florida have built a coveted reputation of net-

Museum of Fine Arts

Photo/Museum of Fine Arts

Imagine Museum

Photo/Imagine Museum

James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

Photo/James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

working and representing many of the top selling and most collectible artists from around the world. Artists include Tom Everhart, Michael Cheval, Stephen Harlan, Steve Barton, Stephen Muldoon, James Coleman, Nano Lopez, David Wight, Clarita Brinkerhoff, Wendy Norton, David Oppenheimer, Michael Hudson, Oscar Zanetti, and Borowski Bros. glass, plus Wyland original paintings and sculptures and a collection of the Art of Dr. Seuss by Theodore Geisel.

253 Fifth Ave. N 727-822-3590

Mypalladium.org

@PalladiumSPC

Whether in the main concert hall – the 815-seat Hough Hall with its unsurpassed new sound system – or kicking back in the intimate Side Door Cabaret, the historic Palladium Theater is consistently ranked as one of Tampa Bay’s

best, most affordable venues for classical, jazz, blues, theatre, opera, comedy, dance, educational, literary, community events, and more.

ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM OF HISTORY

335 2nd Ave. NE

727-894-1052

HistoryStPete.org

@HistoryStPete

For 100 years, the St. Petersburg Museum of History has shared the stories of the Sunshine’s City with visitors and residents alike. Explore the city’s history from pioneer days and early trains to the arrival of soldiers training for World War II to the Golden Age of Florida tourism. Don’t miss the Flight One Gallery, detailing the birth of commercial aviation right here on the St. Pete Pier and see the airboat that started it all with a flight from St. Pete to Tampa. Visit St. Petersburg’s oldest resident – an authentic 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy and stroll through the history of baseball in Little Cooperstown - the world’s largest collection of autographed baseballs.

SUNKEN GARDENS

1825 4th St. N.  727-551-3102

Stpete.org/visitors/ sunken_gardens.php

@SunkenGardens

St. Pete’s oldest living museum, and one of the last remaining Florida roadside attractions, Sunken Gardens is a botani-

St. Petersburg Museum of

Photo/St. Petersburgh Museum of History

cal paradise in the midst of the bustling city. The 100-year-old gardens are home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region. Meandering paths guide visitors through a living collection of thousands of tropical plant species and flowers with lush demonstration gardens, cascading waterfalls, and a flock of flamingos. Sunken Gardens provides garden tours, horticultural programs, special events, field trips, weddings, and private and corporate rentals.

ZUBRICK MAGIC THEATRE

1211 1st Ave N., Suite 101

1-866-ZUBRICK

Zubrickmagic.com

@ZubrickMagic

The “Hottest Ticket in St. Pete” is a one-of-a-kind experience at the Zubrick Magic Theatre that gives audiences an intimate and unforgettable evening of magical entertainment. Illusionists Chris and Ryan Zubrick conjure up an exhilarating blend of sleight-of-hand, family-friendly comedy and breathtaking grand-scale illusions in a 70-minute performance that captures hearts and imaginations. The spectacular venue

promises to give audiences a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and sensations like they’ve never experienced before. Zubrick Magic Theatre guarantees to stretch smiles and drop jaws with a performance that will leave you scratching your head in disbelief saying, “How did they do that?”

Zubrick Magic Theatre

Photo/Zubrick Magic Theatre

THE PIER promotes public art

Myth (Red Pelican)

Photo /VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Art is the heart of the new Pier

St. Pete Pier™ exemplifies the transformative power of public art, thanks to large-scale public art installations from world-renowned artists Xenobia Bailey, Janet Echelman, Nick Ervinck and Nathan Mabry.

St. Petersburg has become one of the most recognized cultural hubs in the country and these four works join the renowned museums, street art festivals and creative downtown murals in contributing to this city’s cultural renaissance.

Nathan Mabry’s “Myth (Red Pelican)” greets visitors at the entry plaza of the Pier and is inspired by the geometry of the new pier design and the pelican emblem for St. Pete - a symbol for kindness, generosity, friendship and love. Mabry found inspiration in the accessible and universal visual language of Origami, the art of folding paper. His work is a mixture of primitive sculpture and minimalist-style art. Mabry’s work combines references to art history, South American artefacts, and popular culture to create provocative monuments entwining high culture, primitive ritual, and contemporary experience. Tying

into the larger sculpture are smaller red pelicans on display throughout the district.

Nick Ervinck’s “Olnetopia” is created in bronze with a patina finish. The sculpture represents the dynamic power of life and provides space for reflection and innovation. Ervinck creates a dialogue between craft and technology, and between the virtual and the physical. He has developed his own visual language combined with traditional sculpture. The work of this Belgianborn artist has been acquired by art collectors around the world and shown in solo and group exhibitions throughout Europe as well as Asia and the U.S. In 2021, a large solo museum exhibition featured Ervinck in Häme Castle organized by the National Museum of Finland. “Olnetopia” is inspired by macro photographic images of splashing water - thus sculpturally interpreting the encounter between nature and technology.

Janet Echelman’s “Bending Arc” is composed of 1,662,528 knots and 180 miles of twine to create an aerial sculpture that spans 424 feet and measures 72 feet at its tallest point. The

Olnetopia

international artist, born and raised in Tampa Bay, was inspired by old postcards depicting striped beach parasols and geometric forms made by barnacles growing on the underside of the pier itself. The sculpture’s design in aerial view can be read as three barnacle-like parasols nestled together. As Echelman continued her design process, she learned of the Pier’s importance in the civil rights movement. It was the place where local citizens peacefully challenged racial barriers, leading to the 1957 U.S. Supreme Court case ruling which upheld the rights of all citizens to enjoy use of the municipal beach and swimming pool without discrimination. The sculpture is composed of multiple arcs, which gently billow in the wind. The artist titled the sculpture in reference to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Named an Architectural Digest Innovator for

Bending Arc

Benoist

Detail of mural located at Pinellas Trail

Photo courtesy of VisitStPeteClearwater.com

“changing the very essence of urban spaces,” Echelman and her work defy categorization. “Bending Arc” earned both the jurist’s and people’s votes from the 2022 Dezeen Awards.

Mark Aeling, designer of the 16,000pound stainless steel replica of Tony Jannus' Benoist Air Boat, is an internationally acclaimed local artist. The Benoist Air Boat is the plane that made the first commercial flight. In 1914, Jannus flew then St. Petersburg Mayor, Abe Phiel, to Tampa for $400.

Xenobia Bailey, creator of “Morning Stars” is an artist, designer, supernaturalist, cultural activist and fiber artist best known for her eclectic Africaninspired hats and her large-scale crochet pieces and mandalas. Having studied ethnomusicology at the University of Washington and Industrial Design at the Pratt Institute, she worked as a costume

designer and learned to crochet at the Greenpoint Cultural society in Brooklyn. Her crochet hats infiltrated pop culture in the 1980s and today, her mosaics grace the wall and dome at NYC’s Hudson Yards station, her first public art installation. “Morning Stars,” installed on the main Pier approach, consists of colorful tiles that are patterned after crocheted mandalas, some with an iridescent finish allowing them to sparkle like stars as the sun rises. The large mosaic is vibrant, transformative and almost hypnotic – beckoning the viewer for a closer look at its rich colors and patterns.

In addition to the installations above, the Pier Marketplace features details of seven downtown St. Pete murals by artists Derek Donnelly, Leo Gomez Studio, Zulu Painter, Vitale Bros., Cecilia Lueza, Pale Horse and Jennifer Kosharek.

Morning Stars

KID STUFF at the Pier

A place for family time

The Pier Plaza and the Glazer Family Playground have become destination amenities for families, including the play area, the Pavilion with restrooms, the Majeed Foundation Splash Pad and Spa Beach. On any given day, you’ll find a wide range of ages and interests in this diverse family recreational area. The playground includes two areas that each interpret the theme of the fantasy bayscape in a different way, based on ages and play abilities. The design of the equipment takes into account a wide range of abilities and encourages exploration.

Barbara Wilks, designer and principal of W Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the lead designers of the Pier Approach, worked with the City and Earthscapes Play to create the playground, with a mythical Kraken, sea turtles, a lifeguard stand, and other elements which were all custom-designed by Earthscapes. “Collaborating with Earthscapes, we placed the equipment in three oval gardens, similar to the passive oval gardens on the other side of the lawn,” said Wilks. “The natural wood equipment emphasizes and blends with the natural surroundings. The whole effect is a space that fluidly integrates play with the remainder of the park.”

Just beyond the Marketplace at the Pier’s entrance is the Family Park, a tree-populated common area that is ideal for a picnic and one of the many eco-friendly aspects of the Pier. With ample seating and shade, not to mention plenty of green space and flowering plants, this area is a charming little world unto itself. It overlooks the North Basin facing Vinoy Park and the Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.

A storm water wetland/pond with native plants brings nature and wildlife into the park to provide areas of calm for those who might rather observe play or animal life rather than participate. Existing trees were incorporated with many new trees and other native vegetation for shade. In fact, throughout the Pier, there were over 500 new trees planted with this development. This park, and all areas throughout the Pier are entirely handicap accessible.

The Playground is perfect for kids of all ages.

The Splashpad, perfect for hot Florida days.

DINING at the Pier

Photos/VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Great food, great location

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille

Of all the places you can grab a bite on the Pier, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is where you’re most apt to find a party. Located at the southern end of the Overlook, the 10,000-square-foot restaurant/bar serves authentic Florida fare and flavors from throughout the Caribbean Rim. Enjoy their famous Yucatan shrimp, chicken wings, flatbreads and more. Doc Ford’s recently opened their second Pinellas location in the Bay Pines area of St. Petersburg. DocFords.com

The Driftwood Cafe

At street-level rising nine feet from The Point deck and connecting to the great lawn is the Driftwood Cafe, a casual walkup spot offering specialty coffees, various breakfast items, sandwiches, ice cream, snacks…and even dog treats! StPetePier.org/food-drink/ driftwood-cafe

Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro

Located near the Pier entrance, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro features a spacious wrap-around deck with waterfront views and boat-filled marinas. The restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, specializing in fresh seafood, steaks, burgers, appetizers, salads and more, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Enjoy a drink at Fresco’s full service indoor bar or outdoor bar with a beautiful view. FrescosWaterfront.com

Pier Teaki

Enjoy

Spa Beach Bistro

This inviting entry point to Spa Beach features a stylish structure to provide shade and comfort, as well as a cafe that offers grab-and-go snack items for beachgoers. The Spa Beach Bistro is surrounded by colorful tables and chairs, so you can munch on a snack, sip a drink, enjoy good times with friends and family, or just exhale and enjoy the view. Nestled between the Playground and Splash Pad, it’s a great spot to relax between activities.

SpaBeachBistro.com

Teak

Sitting atop the state-of-the-art building at The Point, Pier Teaki is a classic tiki bar with a modern, tropical atmosphere, picturesque views, small bites, and craft tiki cocktails. Various space options are available for events. Experience stunning 360-degree views of Tampa Bay and downtown St. Pete from this rooftop.

Located on the fourth floor of the state-of-the-art building at The Point, Teak is an elevated, casual, modern waterfront restaurant. A nautical-inspired menu crafted by top area chefs and elevated casual dining offers 360-degree waterfront views and amazing sunsets framed by the downtown skyline. Teak can accommodate large events of 15-30 guests or more with a partial restaurant buyout. TeakStPete.com

We extend a special thank you to the fine merchants who have shown their enthusiasm and support by advertising in the premiere issue of the St. Pete Pier magazine. Most are within walking distance of the Pier, so make sure to pay them a visit the next time you enjoy our beautiful, sparkling waterfront.

FISHING report

Henry Hobson shows off his speckled seatrout.

Photos/Capt. Wes Tallyn

The Pier Head is a great place to fish

The Pier has a dedicated fishing platform built on caissons leftover from the previous Inverted Pyramid Pier, inviting you to get closer to the water –and the fish. Feel free to bring your own rods, reels, bait and tackle, but don’t fret it if you want to fish on a whim. Gator Jim’s Tackle at the St. Pete Pier™ provides everything an angler could need – gear, tackle, nets, a large variety of fresh and frozen bait, and more.

There is a rich history of fishing at the St.Pete Pier dating back to the 1880’s. For centuries people have flocked to the Pier with excitement for the potential of that once in a lifetime catch. Here are a few tips for making the most of your experience:

First of all, a fishing license is required to fish from the Pier. A license can be purchased through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s (FWC) website myfwc.com/license/.  Once you arrive at the pier, you can walk to the end or take the tram that runs every few minutes. There is Gator Jim’s Bait Shop located at the Pier Head where you can purchase frozen bait and rent fishing gear, but if you want live bait you will need to bring it yourself. Please note, the large fishing deck off the Pier Head at the eastern end of the Pier is the only area where visitors can fish. There you’ll find a fish cleaning station and even a monofilament tube for recycling.

The fishing changes based on the time of year, water temperature, and weather. In the winter months, the water temperature dips into the 60’s.  Live shrimp and dead bait will work the best this time of year. You can expect to catch sheepshead, mangrove snapper, channel catfish, gag grouper, and black drum in these cooler months. During spring, the fishing gets a little better.   In April

By Wes Tallyn

the tarpon, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and snook join the other resident fish in Tampa Bay and are biting well. During the summer months just about anything can be caught on the Pier. It’s not uncommon to see small blacktop or bonnethead sharks, tarpon, gag grouper, mangrove snapper, and snook caught from this location. As fall arrives and the weather begins to change, the fishing heats up again. October is one of the best months to fish at the Pier. Speckled trout, redfish, flounder, snook, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, and mangrove snapper are plentiful in the fall months.

There are a few different tackle recommendations or approaches for catching some of these different species.   For Spanish mackerel I recommend a steel leader to protect from their sharp teeth for the best results. If just generally fishing for whatever is swimming that day, I recommend a size 1/0 circle hook with a 30-pound class leader, and a small weight to keep the bait where you want it. The size hook and leader line can be adjusted for the different sizes and types of fish you encounter. Make sure you bring a long net to safely remove the fish from the water and safely return those fish not being kept as quickly as possible.

Make sure you also know the FWC fishing regulations before heading out.  So, pack up the kids or just go enjoy the excellent Pier fishing by yourself!

Captain Wes Tallyn is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman who focuses on conservation and environmental edu-cation. Follow him on Facebook @ snook_jam_outdoors and on Instagram @snookjam or email him at wtallyn04@ gmail.com.

Even tarpon can be caught off the St. Pete Pier.

Dorian Curry caught a mangrove snapper.

ONE PLANET one ocean

Photos/VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Education at the Pier

Among the fascinating fun elements of the St. Pete Pier™ is the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, presented by the Milkey Family Foundation. The Discovery Center, operated by Tampa Bay Watch, a local nonprofit organization, is an interactive marine discovery center that takes visitors on an environmental journey through the Tampa Bay estuary.

With a key message, “We are one planet with one ocean. And that ocean is critical to the health and survival of all life on Earth,” Tampa Bay Watch scientists and volunteers monitor and renourish our fragile estuary environment. Here in St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay is our closest touch point with the massive ocean system. Since 1993, Tampa Bay Watch has an impressive record of success in helping to preserve and restore the delicate balance our estuary requires to survive.

Located approximately halfway down the new St Pete Pier’s over-water walkway, the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center creates a dynamic visitor experience. It tells the story of Tampa Bay and the role of Tampa Bay Watch in the recovery of this unique ecosystem. The soaring glass walled exhibition center brings our ecology up close and personal via a centerpiece aquarium that showcases many of the species found in local waters. The Discovery Center comprises touch tanks, interactive displays, video presentations and eco-tours of the bay.

Dynamic graphics show where continents meet the ocean and hundreds of thousands of miles of shoreline. Within those shorelines are unique environments called estuaries. Throughout history, people have gathered along the shore for food and transportation. Visitors learn the impact of what happens when three million+ people occupy areas surrounding a delicate eco-system. They explore how a living shoreline can dissipate the wave forces of a storm more effectively than a wall, help control erosion, and create a better habitat for fish, shorebirds and other creatures.

A video touch screen opens a digital photo album of dramatic before and after images of the Tampa Bay estuary. Visitors will see how our activities pollute this beautiful bay and destroy its fragile shoreline eco-system. Next to each sobering image is a photo of what that same area looks like today thanks to the efforts of not only Tampa Bay Watch, but also unified efforts by local municipalities and organizations. In other exhibits, children are fascinated by the giant microscope and an interactive sandbox that transforms as you dig deeper into a typical Tampa Bay beach.

Tampa Bay Watch also offers eco-adventures aboard a new U.S. Coast Guard certified vessel that departs from St. Pete’s Municipal Marina. Tickets are $22 for adults and

$14 for children to enjoy eco-tours that focus on Tampa Bay history and why the bay is so important as a nursery for nearly every marine species that resides there.

The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center is open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, see TBWDiscovery Center.org.

The Discovery Center is operated by Tampa Bay Watch, a non-profit that educates students about the Tampa Bay estuary, while empowering and encouraging them to act as environmental stewards of the bay.

The St. Pete Pier features an interactive marine discovery center that takes visitors on an environmental journey through the Tampa Bay estuary.

THE PIER Marketplace

Keeping it local

When the new St. Pete Pier was being re-imagined by city staff and the design teams, having a market was one of the priorities. It was one of 10 key elements that a Pier Working Group identified as essential after much input from the community. Specifically, “a colorful retail Marketplace at the Pier’s entrance with unique offerings and a focus on local goods and services” was the initial vision. The City’s priorities of sustainability, diversity and economic equity also played a role in the development of this key component of the Pier.

The Marketplace is located at the Pier’s entrance, just steps away from bustling Beach Drive and the eastern edge of the downtown core. The Marketplace is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and on other days the closed kiosks display vibrant snippets of art from various downtown murals, an outdoor gallery of colorful images.

The Marketplace structure itself follows the cantilevered roofs that are seen throughout the Pier, notably at the Pavilion and the Discovery Center. Incorporated into the structure are solar panels that help generate power for portions of the Pier District.

When it was time to recruit vendors for the Pier, there was a strong emphasis on having an assorted array of goods sold by merchants who weren’t in a position to have a storefront of their own. Open house events were held throughout the city to provide this opportunity to a diverse group of vendors.

As a result, shoppers will always find something new at the Pier Marketplace. Lease agreements are short-term with the expectation that a rotating cast of vendors will be on hand to sell an interesting array of products, many with a local flair. Visit the website StPetePier. org/the-marketplace for the current list. According to Pier Manager Juniper Duffin, the philosophy is to focus on local artists and people who may not be to the point where they can open their own store.

“The Pier is a good place to start, to learn about being a business owner and to see if what they are selling is really

going to work,” said Duffin. “To keep it fresh, we make sure we are rotating vendors. We help them make their dreams come true. Some are from other countries and have not been here for a long time. I love to see their strong entrepreneurial spirits.”

Duffin has watched some merchants grow because of their experience here. A women’s co-op rented a stall that included merchandise from various local African American artists. One of the vendors in that co-op has since opened her own kiosk called InSparkleMe.

Lily Rose Jewelry Co specializes in healing crystals sourced from around the world. Founders Sarah and Joe Simoncini have been so successful selling crystal stones and jewelry, they opened a storefront at 209 1st Street NE in downtown St. Pete.

A wide range of craftsmen can be found in the Pier Marketplace.

“We attracted many loyal followers from the local exposure at markets, and then especially at the St. Pete Pier. The energy surrounding the new pier in this community is amazing,” said Sarah. “We were proud and excited to be chosen as an inaugural vendor there.”

Sarah named the business after her grandmother, who she described as “a stylish and fearless woman who had the mouth of a sailor and a heart of

gold.” As a child enjoying a sleepover at her grandmother’s house, she would open drawers and cabinets full of sparkly baubles.

“We would take apart the broken pieces, mix old with new, and come up with beautiful creations. Her brave and fearless spirit taught me to reuse, renew and reinvent, not only jewelry, but myself.”

Joe loves to teach and spread knowledge of crystals and energy

based on his years of experience and in-depth research. The couple decided to leave challenging work situations and put every cent they had into their business, first selling online only at lilyrosejewelryco.com.

“At first, we planned to only be a webbased company sharing our designs to customers across the internet, but in 2019 our local community opened their arms and invited us in,” said Joe.

An array of local independent artists and business owners sell unique items in kiosks under a solar roof structure, where visitors may browse the selections in shade.

Merchants vary throughout the year - please go to our website for the latest additions:

StPetePier.org/the-marketplace

Ancient Herbal Care

Flamed Copper

Flaming Pearl

Florida Vibes Art

Gulf Planks

Hats at the Pier

Hey Mon Caribbean Cooking Magic

InSparkleMe

Island Flavors & Tings

Koshien Chanterelle

Land of Gaia

Lily Rose Jewelry Co

MINDBEND

Mitch Jewlry

Passion Palms Creations

Puppy Nums

runrun

Son’ni Boi & Petal

The Merchant –Purveyor of Local Goods

Tropico Trading

Wide Sky

In addition to the Marketplace, the Pier features Pier Gear and Gifts, a sundry shop located in The Point building as well as Gator Jim’s Tackle Shop.

Marketplace Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Photos/VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Photo/Visit St Pete/Clearwater

Photo/Wide Sky

FREQUENTLY asked questions

Everything you need to know about visiting the Pier

What are the operating hours?

Opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes at 11:00 p.m.

• Tampa Bay Watch: Mon.-Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• Gator Jim’s Bait and Tackle: Sun.-Sat. 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Pier Restaurant Hours: See a list of restaurants at StPetePier.org/food-drink/ Please note that while the St. Pete Pier™ property closes at 11:00 p.m., Pier Teaki remains open until midnight on Sun. – Thurs. and 2:00 a.m. on Fri. – Sat.

• Pier Gear and Gifts: Sun.-Sat. 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Museum of History: Sun.-Sat. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Marketplace Hours: Friday, Sat., Sun. 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Glazer Family Playground: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• Majeed Foundation Splash Pad: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Is there an admission fee?

There is no charge to enter the Pier District. Most events are free to the public; however, there will be ticketed special events planned throughout the year. Events are subject to a ticketing fee.

Is there Security onsite? Is there a lost and found?

Yes, 24/7. Contact security at (703) 863-1794.

Will I be able to dock my boat at the St. Pete Pier?

There are a limited number of boat slips for short-term tie-ups. Docking is first come, first served. No reservations. Learn more about our boat slips at StPetePier.org/getting-here-parking/ arriving-by-boat/ (See page 44.)

Is fishing permitted?

Fishing is ONLY permitted on the Fishing Deck located to the east of the Pier Point building*. Gator Jim’s Tackle is also available at the location for any angler needs. Fishing hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week. Hours of operation are subject to change. *City Code 7-5

Are pets allowed?

The St. Pete Pier is pet-friendly and there are pet bag dispensers throughout the Pier District. All pets in the park must be on a leash that is six (6) feet or less under the control of the owner or handler*. For information on service animals, go to StPete.org/residents/community/accessibility_in_stpete.php; nondiscrimination and accessibility in St. Pete stpete.org. *City Code Chapter 4

• Dogs are not allowed on the Majeed Foundation Splash Pad or on Spa Beach.

• For information regarding the Mayor’s Pet-Friendly Business Program, visit StPete.org/government/initiatives___ programs/st_pete_paws.php

Is there transportation throughout the Pier District?

Pedestrian paths have been provided to allow visitors to explore all the various attractions within the Pier District. Additionally, the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Tram system provides three (3) trams and four (4) tram stops located throughout the Pier District. To view a map of Tram Stop locations, see pages 50-51 or visit stpetepier.org/explore/.

Each tram can carry up to 46 passengers and can accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. Trams may be augmented by smaller all-electric eco-shuttles which also have accommodations for persons using a wheelchair.

The Pier is in the heart of downtown St. Pete.

Tram operating hours:

• Sun.-Sat.: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

• Special events may impact these operational hours. What are the estimated wait times for a tram?

Up to 10 minutes

Is there any other way to get to the Pier Head?

Yes, two (2) Eco-Shuttles each carry eleven (11) passengers. We will operate these as needed and may be available by reservation at an additional charge for special services such as weddings.

Coast Bike Share will be available throughout the Pier District as well.

Can I rent a wheelchair?

There are no wheelchair rentals at this time.

Does the St. Pete Pier provide stroller rentals?

There are no stroller rentals at this time.

Is alcohol allowed within the Pier District?

Yes, alcohol is permitted if it is in a Pier approved cup, which will be provided by the restaurants and cafes within the Pier District. It is not permissible for alcohol to be brought onto the Pier for personal consumption.

Where can guests park who arrive by car?

There are two (2) parking lots as well as on-street metered parking located on the Pier along Pier Drive. Payment can be made at the Pay Stations within the parking lots, at meters for on-street parking, or via the Park Mobile app. Outside the Pier complex, metered street parking is available, as are several

downtown parking garages and lots within walking distance of the Pier. Fees vary. For more information, visit the City of St. Petersburg’s parking page at StPete.org/residents/parking___ transportation/where_to_park.php.

The Downtown St Pete Looper is a free trolley service that runs 7 days a week with stops at the Sundial parking garage and Pier Entrance every 15 minutes. To find out more on route information and hours of operation, please visit LooperTrolley.com.

What is the cost and how do I pay to park?

Paying in the Dolphin and Pelican parking lots will be through the Pay Stations located throughout the lots designated by signs above the machines. Visitors enter their license plate and can pay either by credit card or cash.

ParkMobile will also be accepted by selecting Zone 2015 on the ParkMobile App via smartphone. Enforcement hours are 24/7.

Weekday Rates

• 12:00 a.m. Mon. through 5:00 p.m. Fri.

• First 4 hours = $2 per hour

• 5th hour = $3

• 6th hour = $4/hr.

• Parking in lots limited to 6 hours or less

6 hours cost $15

Weekend Rates

• 5:00 p.m. Fri. through 11:59 p.m. Sun.

• First 4 hours = $2.50 per hour

• 5th hour = $3.50

• 6th hour = $4.50/hr.

• Parking in lots limited to 6 hours or less

6 hours cost $18

On-Street Meters: Payment can be made with cash or credit card at meter or with Parkmobile App.

• First 3 hours = $2.50 per hour

• 4th hour = $5

• Parking is limited to 4 hours in these locations

• 4 hours of parking cost $12.50

• 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. 7 days per week

• Motorcycle parking is available along Pier Drive in designated motorcycle spaces or if full, in the Dolphin and Pelican Lots at the rates stated above.

• Monthly parking is not available at the Pier parking lots. Monthly parking and daily parking in excess of 6 hours is available at the Sundial Parking Garage on 2nd Street North near 2nd Avenue North.

Can I park overnight?

Overnight parking is not permitted in the Pier District.

Can I charge my electric vehicle?

Yes, there are six (6) charging stations located in the Pelican Parking Lot. There is no fee for the charging, but users pay the normal rate to park and must comply with all regulations related to parking (i.e. no overnight parking). The Greenlots App is required.

Are bicycles allowed?

The St. Pete Pier is bicycle-friendly. Bike racks are available for personal bicycles. The Coast Bike Share program will provide service within the entire Pier District and Coast bikes can be parked at any bike rack within the Pier District at no charge. Bicycles must obey all posted speed limits, which is 5 mph. on the Pier. Electric bicycles are not permitted.

Are electric scooters or bicycles allowed*?

No electric or motorized recreational vehicles, including electric scooters or bicycles, are allowed on the Pier District and pedestrian walkways. Motorized scooters are permitted within the roadway only. *City Code 26-404.

Are skateboards allowed?

No skateboards or longboards are allowed on the Pier District and pedestrian walkways.

Where is the boarding for the Cross Bay Ferry and where can I buy tickets?

Visit TheCrossBayFerry.com for more information on tickets and schedules.

How do I become a service vendor at the St. Pete Pier?

Contact Pier Operations – Tyler Spencer, Facilities Assistant at Tyler.spencer@stpete.org.

Is the St. Pete Pier hiring? Where can I find job postings?

Contact Pier Operations and Business directly. For more information, contact Pier Operations and Business directly. See contact information below.

Can I take transit to get to the Pier?

Yes, the Downtown Looper is free and has a stop at Bayshore Drive and 2nd Avenue NE, right at the entrance to the Pier District. Schedule info here: https://loopertrolley.com/schedules.

PSTA operates the Central Avenue Trolley which has a stop on Bayshore Drive just south of 2nd Avenue.

SunRunner buses from downtown to the beaches arrive every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun.-Sat. Evening service runs every 30 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Coast Bike Share is another easy way to get to the Pier. Hubs with Coast Bikes are located throughout greater Downtown. Coast bikes may be parked at any bike rack within the Pier District at no charge.

Is recycling available?

Yes, trash cans throughout the property have designated recycling containers.

Is it possible to reserve a tram?

We are unable to reserve a tram for your group, however, if you call the Pier office, we will do our best to accommodate you. See below for management contact information.

Can the Pier restaurants accommodate large groups?

There are two restaurants and two cafes on-site, please contact them directly for reservations. A picnic lunch or “grab and go” lunch at Spa Beach Bistro may be preferred.

Can I rent or reserve a picnic area or shade structure?

For groups of 50 people or less, they are on a first come, first served basis and cannot be rented. If the group is 50 or more people, contact Pier Management for Use Agreement terms and pricing.

If we have additional questions, how do we contact St. Pete Pier Management?

Office: (727) 822-Pier or (833) Pier-Fun Hours: 8:30 AM –5:30 p.m./Mon. – Fri.

Tyler Spencer, Facilities Assistant – Tyler.spencer@stpete.org.

HOW TO GET to the Pier

St. Pete transportation makes getting here easy

Here’s some helpful information about parking and finding the Pier, located at 800 2nd Avenue NE in St. Petersburg.

• Opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes at 11:00 p.m.

• Marketplace Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Directions

If arriving via I-275, follow the interstate signs and exit onto I-375. I-375 becomes 4th Avenue North and guests should follow that to the end where it forms a T with Beach Drive. If guests wish to avoid some traffic, consider taking a left on Beach Drive, then a right on 5th Avenue North and a right on Bayshore Drive. You will find the Pier entrance at the next left.

Parking

The St. Pete Pier offers over 500 onsite parking spaces, including six electric charging stations. There is also extensive bike parking and access via the Downtown Looper and Central Avenue Trolley. Peak traffic and parking demand are occurring most Fridays between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. as well as on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., so expect more traffic and longer waits during those times.

Guests arriving at peak periods may wish to head straight to overflow parking options approximately 3 blocks away from the Pier. Enter the Sundial Parking Garage via 2nd Street North, just south of 2nd Avenue North and then access the Pier by walking east on 2nd Avenue. Alternatively, the Al Lang Parking Lot entrance is located on 1st Avenue South between Beach and Bayshore Drive.

Access the Pier by walking north on Bayshore Drive. For more information about St. Pete Parking Lots and Garages, visit StPete.org and search “parking.”

Dolphin and Pelican Lots: Payment can be made by credit card, the ParkMobile App or cash at Pay Machines located throughout the two parking lots.

Arriving by Boat

Arrive by boat, maximum 40 feet, and use a limited number of boat slips for short term tie ups at the Pier. Docking is

first come, first served. No reservations. No jet skis, personal watercraft, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, or dinghies. One boat per slip, no commercial activity including loading/ unloading passengers and no water or electric hook-ups. Must provide your own lines and fenders. Dock at your own risk from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. for six hours maximum. Gate is chained and locked at 11 p.m.

• Weekday Rates

First 4 hours = $2 per hour

5th hour = $3

6th hour = $4/hr.

• Dock Parking limited to 6 hours or less

6 hours cost $15

• Weekend Rates

First 4 hours = $2.50 per hour

5th hour = $3.50

6th hour = $4.50/hr.

• Dock Parking limited to 6 hours or less

6 hours cost $18

Cash and all major credit cards accepted. Please note that the machines do not give change.

Boaters have access to St. Pete Pier.

Arriving by Bus

Exploring the Sunshine City using the Looper or the new SunRunner buses from the beaches? The Downtown Looper is free and has a stop at Bayshore Drive and 2nd Avenue NE, right at the entrance to the Pier District. Find an updated schedule at loopertrolley.com/schedules PSTA operates the Central Avenue Trolley which has a stop on Bayshore Drive just south of 2nd Avenue. SunRunner buses from downtown to the beaches arrive every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun.-Sat. Evening service runs every 30 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Take the Cross Bay Ferry

Travel to and from Tampa across the bay using the Cross Bay Ferry. The St. Petersburg Ferry Terminal is located on Bayshore Drive NE, between 2nd Ave. N & 5th Ave. N across from North Straub Park. Tickets are available online, at the ferry landing ticket windows, and in the City Experiences app. Corporate or social groups of 20 or more

are welcome, booking three months in advance. Please visit thecrossbayferry.com/ for tickets and information.

Park three blocks away for free at the Sundial Garage with the purchase of a ticket for the Cross Bay Ferry – just ask ferry staff for your parking pass at the St. Petersburg ticket booth. Other garages and lots downtown are open to the public for market rates, as well as metered street parking. There are three spaces on the east side of Bayshore Drive NE with designated signs that allow drop off and pick up for the public. There is no charge to utilize these spaces.

The Tampa Ferry Terminal is located on the water side of the Tampa Convention Center, just west Franklin Street. Public parking garages within a five-minute walk of the Tampa Ferry Terminal include the Tampa Convention Center Garage, the Amelia Arena garage located at Florida Avenue and Channelside Drive, and the Ft. Brooke Garage.

In cases of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced on the website and on social media, with credit for the tickets purchased.

Sneak away for a weekend and take the ferry. Up to two pieces of handcarried luggage and one small personal item may be carried aboard at no additional charge. Guests may bring a bike on the ferry. The ferry is certified to carry a maximum of 149 guests with ample interior and exterior seating on the main and upper deck.

Cross Bay Ferry Deals*

Show proof of Cross Bay Ferry ticket purchase to redeem.

 St. Petersburg Museum of History

- 50% off adult ticket

Cross Bay Ferry

The Cross Bay Ferry offers the perfect way to visit The St. Pete Pier and explore new attractions in the exciting downtown areas of Tampa and St. Petersburg. Avoid the traffic and enjoy a beautiful ride across Tampa Bay aboard the spacious, comfortable Provincetown III a twin-hull catamaran that cruises at approximately 29 knots (33mph). The vessel has a full-service bar with beer, wine and mixed drinks. Limited food service is available on-board as well as coffee, tea, soft drinks, water and other beverages.

“With affordable fares and convenient departures Wednesday through Sunday, it’s a unique opportunity to enjoy the journey,” said Jeff Philbin, Director of Business Strategy with the marketing and PR firm for the Cross

Bay Ferry, Schifino Lee. “We are joining points of interest with ferry tickets and offering a variety of incentives, which makes the Cross Bay Ferry truly an economic stimulator for both sides of the Bay. We have surveyed the ferry riders and learned people will spend money from point of departure all the way to the beaches.”

 Great Explorations Children’s Museum - BOGO 2 tickets for $15

 Bavaro’s Pizza - Complimentary garlic bread with purchase of entrée

 Tryst - Complimentary Happy Hour beverage or menu item

 Hunger Thirst Group - BOGO Drink

*As of this printing; visit Deals and Partnerships at thecrossbayferry.com/for updates

Getting to the pier is easy with the new SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit. The closest spot to the Pier is 5th Street N (Stop #1111). Once you get off at that stop, continue down 1st Ave N toward the water. At South Straub Park, you’ll see the entrance to the Pier ahead.