GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 281399
- 1. Title of Project
- D'Iberville Working Waterfront and Commercial Seafood Harbor - Waterfront Event Center
- 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
- Angela Mallette-Cruthirds
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 7692345830
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 10383 Automall Parkway
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Diberville, Mississippi
- 4f. Email
- amallette@diberville.ms.us
- 5. FundingRequested
- $2,500,000
- Awarded Amount:
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- Yes
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- $3,000,000
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- RESTORE Act Funding
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $6,550,000
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- The City of D’Iberville proposes construction of the Working Waterfront Event Center as Phase III of its comprehensive Working Waterfront Development Project located along Biloxi Back Bay. The project will construct a multi-purpose waterfront event facility designed to support seafood industry activities, community events, educational programming, tourism, and public access to the waterfront. The proposed facility will complement previously funded waterfront improvements, including a commercial marina, seafood market pavilion, boardwalk system, shoreline stabilization measures, and public waterfront amenities. Together, these investments will transform underutilized waterfront property into a resilient public asset that supports coastal economic development, enhances public access to Mississippi’s coastal resources, and strengthens the long-term sustainability of the City’s working waterfront. The project will serve residents, visitors, commercial fishermen, and local businesses while supporting the continued revitalization of D’Iberville’s waterfront corridor and the broader Mississippi Gulf Coast economy.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- 1 - Construct a multi-purpose waterfront event center that expands public access to the Biloxi Back Bay and supports year-round community, educational, cultural, and tourism-related activities. 2 - Leverage and maximize the public benefit of previously funded federal, state, and local investments in the D’Iberville Working Waterfront Development Project. 3 - Promote economic growth and tourism by creating a destination venue capable of hosting regional events, festivals, seafood-related programming, educational exhibits, and community gatherings. 4 - Increase opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the City’s waterfront, maritime culture, seafood industry, and natural coastal environment.
- 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 Event Center represents a component of a larger public waterfront redevelopment initiative that includes shoreline improvements, marina facilities, public access infrastructure, and waterfront amenities designed to support the long-term resiliency of the City’s coastal assets. By reinvesting in and improving public waterfront infrastructure, the project supports the continued use, accessibility, and economic viability of D’Iberville’s working
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- (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 project will enhance public use of coastal resources, support maritime and seafood-related industries, attract visitors to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and strengthen the economic vitality of the waterfront area. As an onshore infrastructure investment, the project directly aligns with GOMESA’s purpose of mitigating impacts associated with offshore energy development through reinvestment in Gulf Coast communities.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- The City of D’Iberville has completed master planning and conceptual design for the Working Waterfront Development Project and is prepared to advance the proposed Event Center into final design and construction. Upon award of FY27 GOMESA funding, the City will complete final engineering and architectural design, obtain all necessary permits, procure construction services, and construct the facility. The City anticipates achieving substantial completion within approximately twenty-four (24) months of funding agreement execution. - Funding Agreement Executed – Q3 2027 - Final Design Complete – Q1 2028 - Bidding Complete – Q2 2028 - Construction Begins – Q3 2028 - Construction Complete – Q2 2030
- 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 proposed Working Waterfront Event Center directly supports the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources' mission to enhance, protect, and conserve Mississippi’s marine interests for present and future generations by serving as a key component of the City of D’Iberville’s broader Working Waterfront Development Project. The project will strengthen public access to and appreciation of Mississippi’s coastal resources by creating a waterfront destination that supports educational programming, seafood-related events, community gatherings, tourism, and activities that celebrate the region’s maritime heritage. The facility will provide opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the Biloxi Back Bay waterfront, increasing awareness of the economic, cultural, and environmental importance of Mississippi’s coastal ecosystems and working waterfronts. The Event Center will also support long-term economic sustainability of the waterfront by complementing planned marina facilities, seafood market operations, boardwalk connections, and other public waterfront amenities. By encouraging responsible redevelopment of underutilized waterfront property and leveraging substantial public investments already committed to the area, the project will help preserve D’Iberville’s connection to the marine economy while creating lasting public benefits for future generations. Through these efforts, the project promotes stewardship of coastal resources, supports marine-related economic development, and advances the long-term vitality of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast communities.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 3
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 6/1/2030
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $0
- Travel
- $0
- Architecture & Engineering
- $500,000
- Legal
- $0
- Consulting
- $0
- Construction
- $2,000,000
- Site Work
- $0
- Equipment
- $0
- Indirects
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Total
- $2,500,000
- Application Submission Date
- 06/05/2026
- Fiscal Year
- 2028
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- https://gomesa.dmr.ms.gov/attachments/GOMESA_1399_Attachment.pdf
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments