Gulfport wants to build new roads, but will it cause flooding in this historic community?
A coalition of residents and environmental groups say the city is putting potential profit over people with plans to add almost 2 miles of paved roadways off U.S. 49 and around Interstate 10, Gulfport’s main commercial hub.
Residents fear the roads would open hundreds of acres of wetlands to new development, adding to the flood risk in predominantly Black communities around Turkey Creek, including historic Forest Heights and North Gulfport. Streets in the area already flood during heavy rainfalls.
The city of Gulfport wants to add 2 miles of paved roadway to its busy U.S. 49 commercial corridor, including a new Interstate 10 overpass.
The city will hold a public meeting from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, online and in person at Gulfport Premium Outlets Food Court so residents can review plans and ask questions about the project of city staff during those hours.
The city has been awarded $20.5 million in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund the project, which has a total projected cost of more than $32 million. Private property will fund most of the remainder with donation of rights of way for the project.
Gulfport road construction plans
Construction would include extending Airport Road westward across U.S. 49 to the west side of Gulfport Premium Outlets shopping center and then north over I-10 to Daniel Boulevard, where it would connect to an extended east-west service road between Canal Road and U.S. 49.
The road expansions are part of the city’s plan to continue developing its I-10/U.S. 49 commercial corridor, one of the busiest in the region and state.
South Mississippi’s congressional delegation has signed letters of support for the project, as have the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, the state Department of Transportation and the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport Authority.
The city says the project will alleviate growing traffic congestion and link the established commercial centers at the four corners of the I-10 and U.S. 49 intersection.
Coalition opposes highway grant
The Coalition to Protect and Preserve Forest Heights is outlining its objections to the project in an appeal to DOT’s Office of Civil Rights.
Forest Heights has historical significance because it was one of the first integrated communities built to foster home ownership for low-income families under a model developed by the National Council of Negro Women, which worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Ford Foundation.
Organizations from around the country came to help rebuild Forest Heights after Hurricane Katrina, where all but five of 200 homes flooded.
Kathy Egland, who lives in Gulfport and co-founded of the Education, Economics, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization, said many of these organizations are among 200 national networks and groups have signed on to a petition in opposition to the project.
“Forest Heights is a national treasure,” Egland said. “We can’t afford to fill those wetlands and have all that flooding. Wetlands are precious. The city continues to pursue these developments with a flagrant disregard for people and property.”
The communities of North Gulfport and Forest Heights have for decades fended off development of about 1,000 acres between their neighborhoods and Prime Outlets. Jerard Ward of Louisiana, an owner of the property, says more than 50% is wetlands.
He has no current development plans, but has included flood mitigation measures in previous proposals.
“For 2020,” Ward said, “everything is on hold. We’ve pressed the pause button . . . Absolutely, we’d like to develop it one of these days. It would be a good thing for the property. It would be a good thing for the whole area.”
If you plan to attend the meeting
When: 3-6 p.m. Thursday.
Where: Gulfport Premium Outlets Food Court, 10330 Factory Shop Boulevard
Online attendance: Access information on how to join the meeting at https://www.interconnectinggulfport.com. Also find a link to an online form to comment on the project.
Details: Residents, who must adhere to COVID-19 guidelines for wearing masks and social distancing, can come and go in person or online during meeting hours. They will be able to view exhibits and project materials, and talk to city representatives. No formal presentation will be given, but residents can provide written or recorded statements that will become part of the meeting’s permanent record.
This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 5:50 AM.
CORRECTION: The city of Gulfport has been awarded a federal grant for the construction project to extend roads around U.S. 49 and over Interstate 10. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the status of the grant.
