St. Pete-Clearwater Sun

The St. Petersburg City Council has approved $1.4 million to demolish the Jungle Prada Pier, which has been closed since Hurricane Helene severely damaged it in September 2024. The vote, taken Thursday as part of a consent agenda, moves the city toward tearing down the waterfront structure — but leaves its future uncertain, to the frustration of nearby residents.

The pier is the only over-water public access point on the entire west side of St. Petersburg’s city limits and has existed in some form since 1913, with the current structure standing for more than 50 years and last rehabilitated in 2005.

Engineers determined the pier, as it currently stands, is unsafe. The city has secured demolition permits, though a date has not yet been set. District 1 City Council Member Copley Gerdes said he expects demolition to occur within the next few months.

Residents and neighborhood associations are not opposed to taking down the damaged structure — their concern is what comes next. Jungle Prada Neighborhood Association President Juliana Fisher said the city has suggested that, due to constraints, any replacement might be shorter than the current structure, which extends nearly 200 feet from the shoreline. Representatives from five neighborhood associations have formally joined together and say they are willing to help raise funds to rebuild the pier to its original size.

Gerdes has sought to reassure residents, saying, “There’s going to be a pier on the west side of St. Petersburg. Unequivocally.” He added that the city has filed a FEMA claim valuing the replacement of the wooden structure at more than $5 million and is awaiting a determination. Gerdes said he would prefer the new pier be built with concrete to better withstand future storms.

A city spokesperson confirmed that a new proposal for a replacement fishing pier will be brought before the city council for approval at a later date.

Still, residents say the lack of a concrete timeline or plan is troubling. Fisher warned that tearing down the pier without a clear path forward could create regulatory and environmental obstacles to rebuilding any structure at the site.

Gerdes acknowledged that communication with the community could have been better. “If residents feel my office has not done a good job at communication, that’s on us,” he said, pledging to make improving public awareness a priority going forward.

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