September 7, 2010
Today’s Program: Pier Advisory Task Force
Today’s Speaker: Randy Wedding
Our speaker today, Randy Wedding, local architect, was born in St. Petersburg in 1934. A former Mayor of St. Petersburg from 1973-1975, Randy has bridged St. Petersburg’s generation from green benches to an active downtown, with his architectural firm at the forefront of design.
Randy has taken on a relatively new task, that of the Chairman of the Pier Advisory Task Force. From the City of St. Petersburg website, please read background information and the Mission Statement of the Pier Task Force….
BACKGROUND
The Pier serves as a focal point for tourism in the area and is open 365 days a year, rain or shine. It welcomes over 1.2 million visitors a year and its attractions include restaurants, retail shops, an aquarium, community meeting space and other similar facilities.
In April 2005, the City of St Petersburg approved an amendment to the Intown Redevelopment Plan that provides $50 million for future renovation of the Pier. (Funding availability and the construction phase will not be until 2012).
On December 11, 2008, City Council met at a Pier Visioning Workshop and recommended the establishment of the Pier Advisory Task Force. On March 19, 2009 City Council formally approved the creation of the Task Force, to be comprised of 20 members. The Task Force is charged with providing multiple re-development alternatives, reviewing the status of the Pier, to consult with the citizens, persons with experience in architectural/development matters, and such other persons as the Task Force deems appropriate, and to submit their recommendations to the City Council no later than February 25, 2010.
MISSION
The Mission of the Task Force is to provide multiple redevelopment alternatives for the Pier, identify the estimated operating subsidy projected for each alternative, coordinate the alternatives with the City's waterfront plan, and identify funding estimates for alternatives, including best case scenarios utilizing only the amount of monies currently allocated for the Pier improvement project. The Task Force shall provide opportunities for community input through the evaluation process, and create a recommended action plan that takes into consideration the pier visioning project data, community input, and other information compiled by the Task Force.
Last Week at Kiwanis
Kiwanian of the Day Ron Braun introduced Gary R. Mormino, PhD., a professor at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. The premise of Gary’s program focused on the fallacy that development in Florida is sustainable and important to our economic well being.
First of all, after many years of exponential growth, the reverse is happening as more people are leaving or dying than are replaced by newcomers. Originally, the newcomers came here for a piece of the “Florida Dream”, that is a special place, a paradise with a clean tropical environment and room to roam. But now, according to Gary, Florida has reached a tipping point.
Why? That brings us to the second part of the equation. The influx of people has created stress on the infrastructure of the state’s roads, utilities, schools, hospitals, enforcement, and other vitals necessary to make for smooth living. The tax mechanism is antiquated; therefore, not enough money is available or allocated to take care of the above basics. And finally, Florida is one of the nation’s leaders in jobs lost.
Thus, people are leaving, and instead of moving back to their native Midwest or Northeast, they are relocating to places like North Carolina, Tennessee, or Arkansas. Gary referenced that this group is known as “half backs”, those that move only half way back to their origin.
To wrap up, Gary sees no real way out of our current economic downturn, only that economic development has to be smarter and more diverse. Thank you for an interesting discussion on Florida’s future – bleak as it may seem to be at this time.
Members 55
Visitors 4
Rich McKyton, guest of Jim Beach
Adam Rawman, guest of Jerry Little
Norman Harris, guest of Louis Murphy
Announcements
Committee Assignments – President elect Ron Braun is soliciting all members to serve on at least one committee. It is a good way to serve the club and get to know your fellow members.
Day of Reckoning - See Bob Piplitz turn over the reins to new President Ron Braun on October 5, at the Yacht Club for our annual installation banquet.
“The Bernie” – Don’t be “burned” by Big Al for not submitting your updated personal information for the directory.
Quarter Century - Yes, Tom Nelson and wife Nancy recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. Tom threw in $100 as a happy fine. Congratulations, Tom & Nancy!
The Governator – Outstanding job by our own Lt. Governor Markus Mittermayr for winning the Russo Award, for outstanding leadership in a personal crisis.
Elephants Don’t Forget – And neither should you as Pat Biscotti and Melissa Hongo want to remind us of the Community Service meeting today at Panera Bread, 5:30PM, 1908 4th Street North.
This week’s Questions
- When was an extra day added to the calendar to create leap year?
- Where and when was the 24 hour measure of time first developed?
- The film “Crash” took place in what city?
- Name the coach with the most NBA titles, Name the coach with the most NFL titles, Name the manager with the most World Series Championships.
- Where did he Hindenburg explode and crash? What gas was used to inflate the Hindenburg?
Answers to last week’s quiz
- Evan Longoria played for Long Beach State University in California. His teammate, Troy Tulowitzki, plays shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.
- Eva Longoria married NBA player Tony Parker, point guard for the San Antonio Spurs. Parker was born in France.
- The Connecticut River divides New Hampshire and Vermont.
- The Beavis and Butthead show was set in Albuquerque where director Mike Judge went to middle and high school. Judge graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in physics.
- California Santa Cruz had the nickname of the Banana Slugs. John Travolta wore their shirt in the movie “Pulp Fiction”.
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