A Critique of Mississippi Renewal for Gulfport

7/27/2019 A Critique of Mississippi Renewal for Gulfport

1/29

A Critique ofMississippi Renewal

for GulfportMike Christensen

CMP 6960Introduction to New Urbanism

July 29, 2013


2/29

Introduction

Gulfport is the largest city along the Mississippi coast and also Mississippis second largest

city after Jackson. Along with the other cities of the Mississippi coast, Gulfport was devastated

by Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005. Slide 1 shows Gulfports relative location along the coast

(shown in yellow) with the other cities that took part in the Mississippi Renewal planning process

(shown in light red). Other incorporated municipalities are in grey. Slide 2 shows Gulfports

population and growth rate at each census since its establishment. With the exception of a

slump in the 1970s and 1980s, Gulfport has experienced steady growth since its establishment in

the late 19th century. The 1990s were Gulfports most rapid period of growth, and despite

Hurricane Katrina, the citys population held fairly steady following the disaster. Slide 3 shows the

damage inflicted on Highway 90 by Hurricane Katrina.

Overview of PlanAmong all the renewal components recommended by the Mississippi Renewal plan,

seven priority actions for Gulfport were decided upon and are listed on Slide 5. Actions 1, 5,

and 6 deal with improvements at Jones Park and the Port of Gulfport, both of which are

adjacent to downtown Gulfport. Actions 2 and 3 regard the CSX rail corridor, which parallels the

Mississippi coast. Actions 4 and 7 concern design standards for redevelopment and a network

of greenway connectors.

Slide 5 also shows a map of existing conditions of Gulfport. The city of Biloxi lies to the


3/29

adjacent to the Port and Jones Park. Unfortunately, aside from downtown, the transect plan

emphasizes corridors and does little to promote the formation of neighborhood centers within

the city.

Slide 6 also includes a map proposing a network of bicycle lanes and parkways. The

network has good penetration throughout the city and allows for users to travel in small and

large loops.

Slide 7 shows a diagram for improving connectivity within Gulfport. Noteworthy is a

proposed access road in the southwest quarter of the city, which would allow for freight traffic

between Interstate 10 and the Port.

Slide 7 also features a proposed transit map. A streetcar is proposed to connect the

airport south to downtown and also east to Biloxi. The north-south railroad is proposed to be

adjusted to the west through downtown on its way to the Port in order to minimize its impact to

downtown. Various local bus routes are suggested, but only in the citys southernmost quarter.

It is regrettable that bus routes connecting the rest of the city are not included on the transitmap. Reuse of the east-west CSX rail corridor as a bus rapid transit route is also suggested. More

discussion on this corridor will be presented in the final section of this report.

Analysis of Implementation

It is difficult to assess the implementation of the Mississippi Renewal proposal without

actually visiting Gulfport. Aerial photos will be used to compare past and current conditions with

the proposed plans


4/29

proposal for the Port. Slide 15 gives a side by side comparison of the proposal and the

conditions in 2013.

Slide 16 shows the planned redesign of Jones Park, which was the top of the seven

priorities identified on Slide 5. Bringing life back to Jones Park was considered paramount for the

renewal of Gulfport. The park would feature gardens and memorials to the west, an

amphitheater along the Port, a large open lawn in the center, and the fishermans village and

a play area to the east. The plan divides the park into urban rooms, which gives patrons a sense

of enclosure.

Slide 17 is an aerial view of Jones Park flown on August 12, 2004. The park appears to be

underdeveloped and underutilized with what appears to be ad hoc parking adjacent to the

Port. Slide 18 is an aerial view of Jones Park flown just after Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005.

The wind and waves appear to have stripped the park bare. Slide 19 is an aerial view flown on

March 13, 2013. A partial redevelopment of the park can be seen, although the current

conditions are vastly different than the proposal. Slide 20 gives a side by side comparison of theproposal and the conditions in 2013. Regrettably a parking lot fills the space intended for the

amphitheater. It is evident that the priority of the Jones Park redevelopment was parking and

automobile access. The park also lacks the trees recommended in the proposal and thereby

loses the sense of enclosure the trees would have provided.

Missed Opportunity!

The Mississippi Renewal plan suggests relocating the east-west CSX rail corridor If freight


5/29

New Orleans. Service has yet to be restored. In all of the Mississippi Renewal materials, there

was no mention of Amtrak or the Sunset Limited.

Slide 22 shows the route of the CSX railroad line on its 145-mile route between New

Orleans and Mobile. The route serves 9 of the 11 Mississippi Renewal citiesonly DIberville and

Moss Point are not included. Highlighted are the former stops of Amtraks Sunset Limited

between New Orleans and Mobile at Bay Saint Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.

Slide 23 gives a comparison of the population served by the CSX line. The New Orleans

metropolitan region comprises 1,452,502 residents, the Mobile metropolitan region comprises

604,726 residents, and the three counties comprising the Mississippi coast comprise 370,702

residents. A total of 2,427,930 residents line the 145-mile route.

Slide 23 also shows the schedule of the Sunset Limited along the Mississippi coast prior to

Hurricane Katrina. On both the east and west runs, the Sunset Limited passed along Mississippi

coast in the early hours of the morning, which would cause ridership to be low relative to stations

that are served during daylight hours.Slide 24 shows the possible increase in stations along the Mississippi coast, which could

be served by future intercity passenger service. Ideally service would be of a relatively higher

frequency than that of the Sunset Limited. If operated properly, intercity passenger service

could have huge financial impacts on the Mississippi coast. If stations are properly sited

adjacent to downtowns, passengers would board and alight within walking distance of

downtowns, which would further strengthen New Urbanist ideals.


6/29

Gulfport, Mississippi

Source: Mississippi Geospatial Clearinghouse 1


7/29

Gulfport Demographics

Source: US Census Bureau

Historical PopulationCensus Population Change

1900 1,060

1910 6,386 502.5%

1920 8,157 27.7%

1930 12,547 53.8%1940 15,105 20.4%

1950 22,659 50.0%

1960 30,204 33.3%

1970 40,791 35.1%

1980 39,676 -2.7%1990 40,775 2.8%

2000 71,127 74.4%

2010 67,793 -4.7%

2


8/29

Katrina Damage

Highway 90 in Gulfport. Source: Governors Commission Report, Page 31 3


9/29

Overview of Plan


Missed Opportunity!

4


10/29

Priority Actions

Source: Redevelopment Master Plan Charrette Book, Pages 12 and 13

1. Redesign and re-build Jones Park,

immediately, as one perfect place.

2. Relocate northward the CSX railway tracks

that currently run along the ROW

parallel to Highway 90.

3. Redesign this former CSX ROW as an urban

boulevard that includes the

potential for future transit.

4. Develop urban design guidelines, includingarchitectural standards, for all

major redevelopment areas within the City.

5. Regain ownership of the eastern portion of

the Port facilities from the State.

6. Re-plan and redevelop the Port into a

combined facility including industry

to the west, and tourism, recreation, cultural

and commercial activities to the

east.

7. Create a citywide network of parks and

accessible open spaces, with greenway

connectors throughout the City.

5


11/29


12/29

Connectivity & Transit

Source: Redevelopment Master Plan Charrette Book, Pages 17 and 18 7


13/29

Overview of Plan


Missed Opportunity!

8


14/29

Plan: The Port

Source: Redevelopment Master Plan Charrette Book, Page 28 9


15/29

Plan: The Port



16/29

Plan: The Port

Source: Redevelopment Master Plan Charrette Book, Pages 33 11


17/29


18/29

The Port: August 29, 2005

Source: Google Earth 13


19/29

The Port: March 13, 2013



20/29

The Port: The Plan vs. Reality

Source: Redevelopment Master Plan Charrette Book, Page 28, and Google Earth 15


21/29

Plan: Jones Park



22/29

Jones Park: August 12, 2004



23/29

Jones Park: August 29, 2005



24/29

Jones Park: March 13, 2013



25/29

Jones Park: The Plan vs. Reality

Source: Redevelopment Master Plan Charrette Book, Page 21, and Google Earth 20


26/29

Overview of Plan


Missed Opportunity!

21


27/29

CSX Line Sunset Limited



28/29


29/29

Possible Future Stations


Documents

A Critique of Mississippi Renewal for Gulfport