GOMESA Application Details

Internal Project Number: 1170
1. Title of Project: Coffee Creek "Go Green" Park and Educational/Recreational Facility
2. Location of Project: Gulfport, MS
3. Requesting Organization: City of Gulfport
4a. Name: Wayne E. Miller
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 228-868-5740
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: 4050 Hewes Avenue
4e. Address Line 2
4e. City, State Zip: GULFPORT, MS 39507
4f. Email: wmiller@gulfport-ms.gov
5. FundingRequested: $5,495,913
Awarded Amount:: $0
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: No
7a. Amount of Additional Funds
7b. Source of Additional Funds
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $5,495,913
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 watercourse/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 north of Railroad Street. It is a renowned birding site that is listed on the Audubon Mississippi Coastal Birding Trail. The property that is the subject 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 and on which there is 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 and 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 lake/pond to assist in combating erosion, the creation and construction of wetlands downstream from this lake/pond to assist with the preservation of water quality associated with the lake/pond and Coffee Creek (which, again empties into the Mississippi Sound) and reduction of downstream flooding, and the construction of numerous retention ponds to be connected with these various fields in order to assist with stormwater management (quantity and quality). 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 and 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 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 as well. White roofs will be used on the structures on the site and solar power lighting will be utilized on this project for energy efficiency. To preserve potable water, the outdoor faucets, hose bibbs, hoses, etc. on the project will have flow restrictors. These and other measures will be taken on this project to conserve our natural resources. A compost will be constructed to assist with recycling measures. This project will also involve improving the existing low-grade recreational fields at this site and their related drainage/stormwater runoff. The City has already meticulously studied this project and site conditions, compiled a design, and assembled a list of anticipated costs. As a result, this project is “shovel-ready.”

(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: 8 – Project Timeline/Schedule Notice to Proceed: October 2022 Obtain project permits: October 2022 - January 2023 Completion of design and construction documents: October 2022 - January 2023 Bidding and award of contract: February 2023 - March 2023 Construction of project: April 2023 - October 2023
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):: Completed Paid For

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?: Not answered.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 2
17. Estimated Completion Date: 10/31/2023

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe
Travel
Architecture & Engineering
Legal
Consulting
Construction
Site Work
Equipment
Indirects
Other
Total: $5,495,913


Application Submission Date: 02/28/2022
Fiscal Year: 2024
Project Status: Not Awarded
Application Status: Accepted
Meets Criteria: No
Internal Notes:
Attachments:
Hyperlink:: Attachments

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