BayWalk barriers removed

By Times Staff Writer
Published August 27, 2005

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ST. PETERSBURG - The barricades at BayWalk will be gone tonight when antiwar protesters make their weekly sidewalk appearance in front of the entertainment center.

In a Friday memo to Mayor Rick Baker, police Chief Chuck Harmon said uniformed officers will be deployed along Second Avenue N to manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

"The barricades will not be utilized at this time," Harmon's memo says.

Harmon's memo also said he will evaluate the City Council's request to close Second Avenue N in front of BayWalk and deliver a recommendation to Baker within 30 days.

City development administrator Rick Mussett said the no-barricade policy will be in effect during tonight's expected peace demonstration.

Mussett said officers would take up positions in the Second Avenue right-of-way as needed "in order to help the pedestrian flow and allow pedestrians a little more room to get in and out of BayWalk.

Mark Kamleiter, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer representing St. Pete for Peace, which organizes the Saturday night protests, called the barrier removal "a good step. Now let's sit down and talk and draw up some parameters everyone can live with."