GOMESA Application Details
- 1. Title of Project
- Front Beach Bulkhead and Living Shoreline
- 2. Location of Project
- 400 Front Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS
- 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
- $4,500,000
- Awarded Amount:
- $1,600,000
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- Yes
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- $7,678,250
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- GOMESA - Phase I: Design and land work / RESTORE - pending
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $12,178,250
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- Following the destruction of the former seafood business centrally located on the primary public beach during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the project site was purchased by the city with financial support from Jackson County. The overall project includes a public Event Center Pavilion, green space, mobile vendor plaza, and restrooms – as well as a bulkhead and overflow parking designed to filter stormwater runoff. Preliminary design is complete for the with permitting activity ongoing. It is anticipated that the currently awarded funds will be sufficient to complete design and permitting for the project as a whole, with the public access component to be the first phase of construction followed by the Public Event Center. The available funds will partially fund this activity, with this FY24 GOMESA request allowing completion. This is a generational project that will provide a central and vital community asset for residents and visitors for generations to come while supporting and enhancing the vibrant environmental tourism to the city. With close proximity to the Historic Downtown Arts & Entertainment District, this location is the best of both worlds and a central attraction for residents and visitors alike. Development of a public pavilion and event center with a stable shoreline will be a unique asset to provide improved access to the vibrant Front Beach area while stabilizing the vulnerable coastline and sensitive marsh areas.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- 1. Provide a centrally located public space to support beach activities. 2. Stabilize the shoreline at and around the project site to provide proper infrastructure. 3. Ensure proper protection of the surrounding natural environment. 4. Complete infrastructure improvements that will serve to increase the resiliency of the area physically, environmentally, and economically.
- 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: Improving this centrally located property as a public gathering space will support efforts to improve the resiliency of the shoreline through construction of appropriate bulkhead infrastructure and enhancement of the upland property. Management of this public space and bulkhead will ensure that the surrounding wetland and coastal amenities are not subject to direct negative impact.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: Improvements to the property include the replacement of the concrete bulkhead and installation of additional Living Shoreline infrastructure. These elements support safe havens for fish and other marine species.
- (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.
- Yes: The subject property was directly impacted and destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. As the local seafood processing facility, the loss of this business has put the burden of maintaining a direct link with the commercial fishing community on the OS Small Craft Harbor. The BP oil spill in 2010 compounded the struggles faced by the seafood and marine-related industries. Provision of a public space would allow a potential mitigation to offset the negative impact of these events, providing marine-related vendors a home and direct link to customers.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- * The following activities are anticipated to be in progress and/or complete prior to FY24 award notifications: - Finalize permit applications and complete final designs already in progress. - Final plans to be approved for advertisement. - Phased implementation determined to accommodate available funding. * Appropriate phase of designed work for the event center and related living shoreline and bulkhead infrastructure will be determined and prepared for advertisement. * Advertise for construction, ideally during the winter or early spring so that construction would take place during periods of reduced beach usage. * Work will be coordinated with the public access construction to allow for proper implementation. * 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 as coordinated with ongoing phases of implementation.
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- In Progress 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 public event center and related marine infrastructure supported by this request will support the health and resiliency of the beach and shoreline. Use of the public space will provide opportunities for beach-related commerce while enhancing the enjoyment and quality of the eco-tourism in the area. By improving the property to support beach access, future generations will have an enriched marine experience which will foster a greater appreciation for our natural resources. By creating a permanent space adjacent to rich marine attractions, those attractions will be appreciated and protected by residents and visitors alike. The public enhancements will complement the existing uses while providing protective measures for the existing and planned infrastructure. Combined with the remaining elements of the overall project, the public event center and its protective infrastructure will enhance the quality and functionality of the surrounding area to the benefit of the public, the natural environment, and the coastal-related commercial activity that is vital to the coast.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 3
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 12/1/2026
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $0
- Travel
- $0
- Architecture & Engineering
- $160,000
- Legal
- $0
- Consulting
- $0
- Construction
- $4,340,000
- Site Work
- $0
- Equipment
- $0
- Indirects
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Total
- $4,500,000
- Internal Project Number
- 2025013
- Application Submission Date
- 07/25/2023
- Fiscal Year
- 2025
- Project Status
- Awarded
- Application Status
- Accepted
- Meets Criteria
- Yes
- Internal Notes:
- 1783-m