GOMESA Application Details

1. Title of Project: Washington Avenue at Front Beach - Utility Improvements
2. Location of Project: Washington Avenue between Front Beach Drive and Lafontaine Avenue in Ocean Springs
3. Requesting Organization: City of Ocean Springs
4a. Name: Kenny Holloway
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 228-875-6722
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: 1018 Porter Avenue
4e. Address Line 2
4e. City, State Zip: Ocean Springs, MS 39564
4f. Email: kholloway@oceansprings-ms.gov
5. FundingRequested: $1,200,000
Awarded Amount:: $1,200,000
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: Yes
7a. Amount of Additional Funds: $362,250
7b. Source of Additional Funds: FY23 Tidelands
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $1,562,500
9. Project Description/Overview: This corridor is surrounded by environmentally sensitive area that have been or are in the process of public improvements including Post-Katrina improvements to Fort Maurepas Park with 3.4 acres of protected wetlands, as well as the purchase and creation of the former Fayard Seafood plant for use as a public event space and marina. The city received FY23 Tidelands funds to address the chronic flooding in this location which directly threatens the wetlands. However, the area has been further reviewed as a whole and the remaining utilities and roadway infrastructure has continued to deteriorate posing the same environmental and safety threats. In order to properly correct the infrastructure concerns that impact the natural resources; the water, sewer, and roadway components must also be repaired or replaced. The activity that is reflected in this request will improve the water and sewer infrastructure by addressing aging materials and to elevate the roadway between Front Beach Drive and Lafontaine, which is adjacent to the primary sewer lift station for the entire area. The roadway improvements will allow the infrastructure to be properly constructed and will reduce the possibility of flooding during high tides and severe weather events. The overall project will also include the stormwater improvements at the foot of Washington Avenue that will raise the roadbed and enlarge the culvert to prevent stormwater flooding – supported with the awarded FY23 Tidelands funding.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: 1. This project will be an integral part of the overall plan for improvements for coastal protection, water quality improvements, public access, and public safety by increasing the quality and resiliency of the public infrastructure. 2. Replacing aging infrastructure will support improved water quality, especially in close proximity to sensitive wetlands to the west and the beach and Gulf of Mexico to the south. 3. Reduction in flooding events will improve life safety for those on Front Beach for whom Washington Avenue is the primary evacuation and emergency response route. 4. Improved access to the area will support use of the public beach and the OS Small Craft Harbor.
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: Each type of infrastructure being addressed in this project has an impact on the resiliency and health of the surrounding areas. This area directly connects to both a large area of sensitive wetland marsh to the west and drains directly to the beach and adjacent gulf. Replacement and/or repair of the underground utilities will support the quality of the ground water and the runoff into the sensitive areas. Enhanced quality of the roadway infrastructure allows the runoff to properly drain under the road and protects an evacuation route as well as all activity related to the sand beach and harbor.

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: Improving the utilities and roadway infrastructure mitigates the potential negative impacts on the fish and other natural resources related to the adjacent wetlands and marsh areas.

(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: * Authorize Engineering services for permitting, final design, and construction documents for the project. * Final plans to be approved for advertisement – approx. 6 months * Advertise for construction, ideally during the winter or early spring so that construction would take place during periods of reduced beach usage. * A qualified contractor will be selected per State Purchasing Guidelines. * The goal would be to complete construction within two fiscal years pending the completion of design and/or permitting requirements to allow for construction during a period of lighter use. All work will be initiated within a 2 year period with specific milestones to be determined during design phase.
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?: This project will be an integral part of the overall plan for improvements for coastal protection, water quality improvements, public access, and public safety by increasing the quality and resiliency of the public infrastructure. By addressing the aging infrastructure located within and in close proximity to sensitive areas, as well as the previously identified chronic flooding, the marine environment will be protected for future generations as the city continues to grow in both population and visitors. Replacing aging infrastructure will support improved water quality, especially in close proximity to sensitive wetlands to the west and the beach and Gulf of Mexico to the south. This property is surrounded by environmentally sensitive area that have been or are in the process of public improvements. In addition to the previously identified need to address the chronic flooding of the foot of Washington Avenue, the area has been further reviewed as a whole and the remaining utilities and roadway infrastructure has continued to deteriorate posing the same environmental and safety threats. In order to properly correct the infrastructure concerns that impact the natural amenities, the water, sewer, and roadway components must also be repaired or replaced. The activity reflected in this request will improve the water and sewer infrastructure to address aging lines and to elevate the roadway between Front Beach Drive and Lafontaine, which is adjacent to the primary sewer lift station for the entire area. The roadway improvements will allow the infrastructure to be properly constructed and will reduce the possibility of flooding during high tides and severe weather events. The overall project will also include the stormwater improvements at the foot of Washington Avenue that will raise the roadbed and enlarge the culvert to prevent stormwater flooding supported with the awarded Tidelands funding. Reduction in flooding events will improve the lift safety for those on Front Beach for whom Washington Avenue is the primary evacuation route. Improved access to the area will support use of the public beach and the OS Small Craft Harbor.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 2
17. Estimated Completion Date: 12/1/2026

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe: $0
Travel: $0
Architecture & Engineering: $73,000
Legal: $0
Consulting: $0
Construction: $1,127,000
Site Work: $0
Equipment: $0
Indirects: $0
Other: $0
Total: $1,200,000


Internal Project Number: 2025003
Application Submission Date: 07/25/2023
Fiscal Year: 2025
Project Status: Awarded
Application Status: Accepted
Meets Criteria: Yes
Internal Notes:: 1783-c

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