New $55M development project will bring 250 luxury apartments to downtown Gulfport
The latest plans for a $55 million mixed-use project that would bring more than 250 apartments to downtown Gulfport were revealed by developers Friday.
Those who attended Gulfport Reports, presented by the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce at the Mississippi Aquarium, heard about plans for the mix of studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, along with a 620-space parking garage and 14,000 square feet of retail space.
The location is right in the center of downtown, at the northwest corner of U.S. 90 and 49, south of Half Shell Oyster House and east of the Gulf & Ship Island office building.
The rendering shows a building of about six stories with balconies overlooking the waterfront and the city.
“A lot of changes could take place before we break ground in the next year,” said Roy Anderson III, whose Coast-based company AnderCorp is the contractor for the Town Center.
Places such as Baton Rouge, Pensacola and Nashville are experiencing strong economic growth because of population growth, Anderson said, and the same thing can work in Gulfport.
Niles Bolton Associates and Eley Guild Hardy are the architects.
Success in other Southern cities
Steward Speed with Leaf River Group real estate, is the developer. He is the son of the late Leland Speed who oversaw the Hurricane Katrina comeback in Mississippi.
Speed said he’s been involved in five or six similar projects, mostly in Mississippi.
“I am excited to be part of this,” he said, “what we believe will be a transformational project for Gulfport and and the Coast.”
Similar projects are Meridian at Fondren in Jackson, which he said spurred three additional projects, Meridian at the Port in Mobile, where medical residents and technology workers at Airbus and Austal are tenants, and Southtowne in downtown Pensacola, which he said has a similar impact to what is expected in Gulfport.
Gulfport Town Center is expected to create downtown housing for 350 to 400 people, provide $1.1 million in state and local taxes, support 136 jobs and spark $1.5 million in new spending a year at downtown restaurants and bars, according to an economic impact study.
What it means for Gulfport
Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes said the city hopes to get a share of the BP money through the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund to help build the project. It was one of the top projects recommended by the advisory board to receive $30 million.
The state Legislature awarded a combined $53 million this year to 18 projects, which included $2.5 million for Phase 1 of a planned three-phase project to leverage public and private investment for downtown revitalization in Gulfport.
Since Hurricane Katrina, only a few apartments or condos exist downtown, while many restaurants that have opened over the last 10 years.
Gulfport Town Center is all about creating a sense of place for professionals who will be working at the marine science centers in the downtown, Hewes said, and others moving to the Coast.
“This is the next step,” he said, holding up a brochure for Gulfport Town Center.
“This is the now step,” he said, showing the brochure for Gulf Blue, an initiative from University of Southern Mississippi to capitalize on the region’s geography and maritime resources and position South Mississippi to lead the development.
The Gulf & Ship Island Building adjacent to the Town Center is the centerpiece for the new Gulf Blue initiative. Combined with the other marine science and research facilities in Gulfport, Hewes said, the city will become a draw for marine technology industry, just as auto manufacturers draw industry to their location.
This story was originally published July 23, 2021 at 1:03 PM.
