The St. Petersburg Pier is enjoying the praise at being selected as one of six winners of the Urban Land Institute 2022 Global Awards for excellence, cementing the landmark as a top tourist attraction across all of Florida.
The new structure is one of only two buildings in the United States to be awarded with this honor. The other four winners were spread out over the globe.
“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,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch
Since being awarded, tourism to the pier has nearly tripled their normal visitor numbers. This has impacted local business around the pier, generating more business to these small shops.
“Actually, it picked up really, really, really very well right after we received the award,” said Aquia Holmes, owner of Uniquely Handcrafted. “It’s been steady slow because it looks like now we’re getting more recognition, a lot of people are actually coming to see what the pier is all about.”
St. Pete resident Sara O’Brien has felt the pier become a refreshing and lively spot for tourist and locals alike since the Pier’s grand reopening in 2020.
“You know, before was fine,” O’Brien said. “But it kind of felt like a little bit of a tourist trap. Toward the end, I only went when I had visitors in town, and now I’m here all the time.”
Credits
Anchor: Aziz Turner
Producer: Haley Zarcone
Reporters: Meredith Lamm, Haley Zarcone, Alice Barlow, Aziz Turner
Teleprompter: Alice Barlow
Graphics: Christopher Zingale
Video Editor: Anthony Delucca
Cameras: Meredith Lamm
Web Editor: Nicholas Bozeman
Web Managing Editor: Chrisovaladou Pantelis
Graduate Assistant: McKenzie Muskett
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Wayne Garcia
