State Port, Gulfport

[tombarnes]

HUD Allows Diversion of Recovery Funds

HUD secretary Alphonso Jackson has allowed the diversion of Katrina recovery funds for the rebuilding of the Port of Gulfport. While I have no doubt that work is needed for the port, I think it is highly questionable that housing funds are being used for this purpose. When many people are still living in FEMA trailers, the use of housing funds for other purposes must be questioned. Up to this point, I have generally felt that Haley Barbour has done a good job in his handling of the recovery process. This, however, raises questions about propriety.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Port Plan to Include Casinos?

It looks as though the plan for the port includes at least three casinos with 3000 hotel rooms. I find this diversion harder to take if the money is being used for casino development. Is this necessary? I can understand that Gulfport might want to have another casino/hotel complex, but I do not think that Katrina housing money should be used for this purpose.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

New and Even More Ambitious Port Plan

The newest version of the port plan calls for an island in the Mississippi Sound with a buffer of trees and sand. This would supposedly mask the port from the city. A new zone of casinos, hotels and and expanded entertainment district would replace the original port. While I initially admire the scale of the thought process here (Mississippi needs to think on a large scale), I have not yet had the chance to truly study the plan. If handled properly, this could be a great economic boon to the city and the state. If not, it could be a colossal mistake. As the article mentions, proponents will have an extra hard time convincing skeptical residents that this plan will work to their benefit. Let's face it, nobody goes to Gulfport for the beach. Is this the best plan for the future of the city? I 'm not sure how it gels with Andres Duany's plans. Somehow, I don't think anyone has asked his opinion. In any event, this plan should be considered. I will post more about this once I have had the chance to learn more about the plan itself.

The Sun Herald

[nquint1]

This plan is really ambitious. It would do wonders for the economy if it actually happens. Downtown Gulfport would never be the same.

[tombarnes]

If this plan can be pulled off with any degree of success, it may well be a great economic boon for the state and the area. I'd like to see more specifics about how this will affect the existing downtown- or what's left of it. There is great potential in Gulfport. I just ope this won't be fought over forever.