GOMESA Application Details

1. Title of Project: Coffee Creek “Go Green” Park and Educational/Recreational Facility
2. Location of Project: 98 East Railroad Street, Gulfport, MS
3. Requesting Organization: City of Gulfport
4a. Name: Billy Hewes
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 2288685810
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: P.O. Box 1780
4e. Address Line 2
4e. City, State Zip: Gulfport, MS 39502
4f. Email: bhewes@gulfport-ms.gov
5. FundingRequested: $6,000,000
Awarded Amount:: $0
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: No
7a. Amount of Additional Funds: $0
7b. Source of Additional Funds
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $6,000,000
9. Project Description/Overview: The Coffee Creek Conservation and “Go Green” Park and Educational/Recreational Facility will be a wonderful addition to the City of Gulfport. “Coffee Creek” is a natural water source/coastal stream that flows directly into the Mississippi Sound. The City has previously made enhancements to the “Clower-Thornton Nature Trail,” which is an 18-acre preserve near the mouth of the stream located north of Railroad Street. It is a renowned birding site that is listed on the Audubon Mississippi Coastal Birding Trail. The subject property of this proposed project is located 0.3 miles east of this preserve. A main tributary to Coffee Creek crosses the middle of approximately 26 acres owned by the City leading to a small lake, all of which feeds into Coffee Creek and eventually into the Mississippi Sound. The proposed site will include the construction of an educational walking trail around the lake, a running trail around the perimeter of the site, and various learning “stations” along these trails. In conjunction with the construction/improvement of 5 environmental-friendly soccer fields (full sized), 4 futsal courts, and 4 pickleball courts (see attached exhibit), this project will further involve significant improvements/enhancements to the banks of the water sources. The improvements/enhancements will assist in combating erosion, create new wetlands downstream, and preserve water quality associated with the water sources; therefore, reducing downstream flooding by improving water flow from these various fields. Attractive and shaded vehicular circulation and parking areas (including large team buses) will also be included. This project will include numerous eco-friendly measures, including reclaimed stormwater, runoff and efficient irrigation.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: The proposed project aims to serve as an educational/recreational facility to educate the public of the significance of water quality and the need for environmental-friendly measures associated with management of lands and waters, in addition to improving the impact of development on the quality of water in and around the Creek. The City’s parks and recreational programming at this facility will provide activities and gathering places for families and social groups, as well as individuals of all ages, economic status and varying physical abilities. As these enhancements will be part of a “Go Green” development, this will help to promote awareness of the importance of environmentally friendly development and demonstrate how development and the environment can thrive in a healthy relationship.
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

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: The water that drains from the renovated lake will flow to a bioretention basin with plants such as rushes, elephant ears, etc. to remove impurities. The water exiting the bioretention basin will be directed to a structure, e.g. a weir, slowing the flow of the water prior to entering Coffee Creek in order to prevent erosion and to ease downstream flooding. Additionally, the parking lots will have pervious surfaces to reduce stormwater runoff and bioretention basins will be installed prior to all drainage structures on the site to filter contaminants from the stormwater runoff such as chemicals, fertilizers, etc. prior to entering the drainage system.

(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: Notice to Proceed: September 2025 Development of design and construction documents: October 2025 - February 2026 Bidding and award of contract: February 2026 - March 2026 Construction of project: April 2026 - April 2027 Project Closeout: May 2027 - July 2027
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):: In Progress Funds Not 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 construction of the Coffee Creek Conservation and “Go Green” Park and Educational/Recreational Facility is an important project for the City of Gulfport (City). Bodies of water play an extremely vital role in our environment. Among other things, they are critical for freshwater biodiversity, assist in mitigating flooding, provide a means of maintaining/enhancing water quality, contain important sources of food (such as aquatic plants and fish), and afford a means of recreation, such as boating and fishing. Parks and recreational spaces and facilities are similarly vital community investments that improve the quality of life by offering healthy activities to residents, particularly youth, and contribute to the economic and environmental well-being of a community. The current site includes a lake/pond that flows to Coffee Creek and the Mississippi Sound as well as several existing low-quality recreational fields. In recognition of these qualities of water bodies and park facilities, the City has a shovel-ready project designed to augment this site into a first-class conservation park that will shore up the banks of the lake/pond and improve its water quality and that of the Creek to which it flows, create an eco-friendly recreational facility that will work within the environment of this community and lead to the installation of wetlands and several different retention areas associated with proper stormwater management, and provide learning stations around the inner- and perimeter walking/running trails of the park to educate the public of the importance of conservation of natural resources, environmentally-friendly (“Go Green”) development, and stormwater management along the Coffee Creek watershed. Again, the existing lake on the site will be expanded to provide detention and retention of the Coffee Creek watershed. The watershed just upstream was developed into a commercial area in the 1960s and 1970s prior to stormwater water quantity or quality issues. The area is currently completely paved or built upon. Our renovated lake will provide a water quality treatment component. This could be accomplished with fountain spray to add oxygen to the water. We are also proposing to use this water as a source for irrigation water for the soccer field enhancements. This will allow minimization of quantity on the ground water sources being used for drinking water. The water that drains from the renovated lake will flow to a bioretention basin with plants such as rushes, elephant ears, etc. to remove impurities. The water exiting the bioretention basin will be directed to a structure, e.g. a weir, slowing the flow of the water prior to entering Coffee Creek in order to prevent erosion and to ease downstream flooding. Additionally, the parking lots will have pervious surfaces to reduce stormwater runoff and bioretention basins will be installed prior to all drainage structures on the site to filter contaminants from the stormwater runoff such as chemicals, fertilizers, etc. prior to entering the drainage system. The buildings on the site will have rain barrels for the reuse of rainwater running off roofs to help with the runoff.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 1
17. Estimated Completion Date: 10/1/2026

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe: $0
Travel: $0
Architecture & Engineering: $600,000
Legal: $0
Consulting: $0
Construction: $5,400,000
Site Work: $0
Equipment: $0
Indirects: $0
Other: $0
Total: $6,000,000


Internal Project Number: 1312
Application Submission Date: 07/01/2024
Fiscal Year: 2026
Project Status
Application Status: Submitted
Meets Criteria
Internal Notes:

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