Their job is done.

Today, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman officially thanked the new St. Petersburg Pier Selection Committee and relieved them of their duties.

Kriseman's selection committee was charged with ranking the top three designs based on their qualifications, including how they conform to the $33 million construction budget and build schedule. A non-binding public poll was one of the factors taken into account.

The proposed construction timeline is below.

May - July 2015 Contract Negotiations & Approval
July - August
Present Contract to Council for Approval
August - Oct 2015
Concept Refinement
Winter 2015 
Complete Schematic Design
Spring 2016
Complete Design Development
Fall 2016 Complete construction Documents
End of 2016
Complete Permitting
2017 - 2018 Construction

Earlier this month, council members voted 7-1 to approve the Pier Park concept to replace the existing pier.

The community will be engaged to weigh in on the concept as the city moves forward on the final design, permitting and construction.

The yes vote doesn't guarantee that Pier Park will be built. The City Council approved The Lens in 2012 only to be rebuffed later in a referendum. But it would be a huge step in that direction.