GOMESA Application Details

1. Title of Project: City of D'Iberville Working Waterfront & Seafood Harbor
2. Location of Project: Interstate 110 at Bayshore Drive, D'Iberville, MS, 39530. Coordinates: 30.424749, -88.894105
3. Requesting Organization: City of D'Iberville
4a. Name: Bobby Weaver
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 228-392-7966
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: 10383 Auto Mall Pkwy
4e. Address Line 2: P.O. Box 6519
4e. City, State Zip: D'Iberville, MS
4f. Email: bweaver@diberville.ms.us
5. FundingRequested: $2,000,000
Awarded Amount:: $0
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: Yes
7a. Amount of Additional Funds: $14,000,000
7b. Source of Additional Funds: GOMESA, Tidelands, House Bill 1353, RESTORE
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $25,000,000
9. Project Description/Overview: The Working Waterfront and Commercial Seafood Harbor will support increased commercial seafood business activity within D’Iberville through the construction of a new marina and location for selling/distributing seafood from the associated working waterfront features. The proposed development will include additional landside development that will catalyze potential private sector development. This project is a part of the City of D’Iberville’s Citizen’s Master Plan created in 2006. Major components of this plan including the open farmers market and casino resort have been implemented. The development of a working waterfront and commercial seafood harbor will continue the implementation of this plan and have a significant positive impact on tax base and increase private sector job creation and potential investment. The project will provide a much needed public space to support social gatherings, community festivals, provide retail and food services, and provide a sense of place. The overall project will include the construction of a commercial seafood harbor including a new marina and breakwater and a working waterfront with a bulkhead, shoreline boardwalk, waterfront plaza, and pavilion event/office space. The anticipated environmental impacts associated with the project are minimal and will be approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: The overall goal of the Working Waterfront and Commercial Seafood Harbor project is to support economic development in downtown D'Iberville, improve infrastructure supporting the seafood industry, and increase waterfront recreation opportunities for the local community. The specific goal of Phase 2 is to finish planning and design of all project components as well as perform dredging activities and complete construction of the marina. The Working Waterfront is a part of the 2015 D'Iberville Comprehensive plan. The 2015 D'Iberville Comprehensive Plan is working towards achieving the following goals: 1. Maximize the benefit of public investment in existing municipal service facilities and capabilities 2. Create a regional visitor experience within the Downtown Area as a center of retail, entertainment and cultural activity. 3. Assist the south shore of D'Iberville in redevelopment efforts. 4. Strategically invest in economic development near the historic district and new French market district.
11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?

(A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses: Yes: The Working Waterfront meets the GOMESA requirements through restoration and hurricane protection of D'Iberville's boating infrastructure. This project will be implemented using a higher level of design and engineering through use of larger timber components, stronger bracket connectors, flow-through decking and relocation of site utilities above the base flood elevation. This higher level of storm resistant design is in response to stronger and more frequent storm events associated with coastal wetland losses along the Back of Biloxi Bay and the Gulf of Mexico shorelines.

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: The living shoreline and breakwater components of the Working Waterfront will increase the ecological health of the D'Iberville shoreline by providing new habitat for fish and marine animals, which is an authorized use of GOMESA funds. By increasing the natural process of shoreline functions and habitat creation, the Working Waterfront could mitigate damage to fish and marine animal populations resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster.

(C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

(D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.

12. Project Timetable/Milestones: June 2026 – Complete design plans August 2026 – Bid Construction of phased project September 2026 – Enter into a construction contract with awarded bidder February 2027 – Complete phased construction June 2027 – Make an offer on the adjacent parcel for Marina expansion
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):: Other Waiting on funding Funds Budgeted

15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?: The D'Iberville Working Waterfront would ensure the existing marina continues to provide public access to the water resources of Back Bay of Biloxi and the Gulf of Mexico with increased safety measures. Through the additional engineering components and higher level of design which these GOMESA funds would provide, MDMR would be providing assistance to protect the boating infrastructure against storm events and climate change. The new breakwater structure and living shoreline would ensure safer mooring of boats while creating new fish habitat and increasing the ecological resources Mississipi is known for. The new event center and pavilion would enhance the fishing and seafood culture of coastal Mississippi by integrating a market component of the Working Waterfront in the emerging downtown area of D'Iberville. Portioning off an area for retail and restaurant as the plan envisions, would allow the fishing community a direct sea to table pipeline for high quality Mississippi seafood products. This much needed boating infrastructure and gathering space would allow current and future generations of citizens to continue the fishing and seafood livelihoods which make D'Iberville a place rich in tradition. Funding for the engineering and design of the Working Waterfront would also meet goal D "Coastal Resiliency"of MDMR's 2019-2023 Strategic Plan through the following objective: OBJECTIVE D1: Provide enhancements for coastal communities, ecosystems and economies to become more resilient tocoastal hazards.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 2
17. Estimated Completion Date: 6/30/2027

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe: $0
Travel: $0
Architecture & Engineering: $0
Legal: $0
Consulting: $0
Construction: $2,000,000
Site Work: $0
Equipment: $0
Indirects: $0
Other: $0
Total: $2,000,000


Internal Project Number: 1288
Application Submission Date: 06/18/2024
Fiscal Year: 2026
Project Status
Application Status: Submitted
Meets Criteria
Internal Notes:

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