Major new development will transform downtown Gulfport. Here’s what to know
A major development now called Channel South has broken ground at the corner of U.S. 90 and 49 in downtown Gulfport, promising apartments, a hotel and new retail in one of South Mississippi’s busiest intersections. The $105 million project is led by Bellamare Development and Gulfport-based AnderCorp LLC.
FULL STORY: $105M Coast downtown development kicks off with new name, promise of big impacts
Here are key takeaways:
• The name: The project was renamed from Gulfport Town Center to Channel South. “Channel” pays tribute to the manmade channel in Gulfport and “South” honors the Great Southern Hotel that once stood at the site.
• What’s planned: The development includes 136 apartments, shopping, dining, a 114-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel with a ballroom and rooftop bar and a nearly 300-space parking garage open to the public.
• Timeline: Mayor Hugh Keating said the parking garage is expected to be finished later this year, with the hotel, apartments and amenities coming online through 2027.
• Economic ripple effects: “I think this is going to be a great catalyst for the downtown area,” state Sen. Scott DeLano said. Keating said the project will drive demand for more retail and that he’s already getting calls from investors.
• Dining boost: Hattiesburg restaurateur Robert St. John is opening The Downtowner restaurant this spring near the development site, adding to the area’s growing food scene.
• Location: The development sits within walking distance of the beach, the Amtrak station, Mississippi Aquarium and Jones Park.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
