Works.“We’ve got beaches, golf courses, an aquarium, casinos, great schools—there’s truly something here for everyone.” That mix of leisure and livability is no accident. Under the leadership of Mayor Hugh Keating, Gulfport has embraced a balanced strategy of downtown revitalization, infrastructure renewal, and economic diversification—all guided by a clear understanding that Gulfport’s prosperity begins at the waterfront. A DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE At the heart of this transformation is Gulfport’s downtown district, now humming with private investment and public support.The flagship project— the Town Center—is set to redefine the city’s core with 200 mixed-use apartments, street-level retail, and a public parking garage developed through a partnership between the city, the state, and the Gulfport Redevelopment Commission. “This is going to be a game-changer,” says Mayor Hugh Keating. “It will bring young professionals downtown, expand pedestrian traffic, and create the walkable, social district our residents want.” The development team—led by Roy Anderson III, Rick Carter, and Sunny Sethi—represents a blend of local leadership and private capital with deep ties to Gulfport’s business community. “When we bring people downtown, small businesses follow,” Keating adds. “It’s the ripple effect that revitalization depends on.” That ripple is already visible. The historic Markham Hotel, built in 1926 and long vacant since Hurricane Katrina, is finally reopening after an extensive renovation. Once one of the premier hotels on the Gulf Coast, the Markham’s revival symbolizes the broader renaissance unfolding in downtown Gulfport. “We used to have a vibrant downtown before interstates and malls pulled traffic away,” says Keating. “Now we’re getting it back.” THE BLUE ECONOMY AND THE FUTURE OF WORK Central to Gulfport’s economic vision is what is often referred to as the “Blue Economy”—a growing cluster of industries and institutions tied to the Gulf itself. The city is home to the Mississippi State Port, one of the region’s key import-export gateways, and the University of Southern Mississippi’s Ocean Engineering Program, which anchors Gulfport’s reputation as a maritime innovation hub. “Everything water-related drives opportunity here,” Keating explains. “From defense contractors at the port to the ocean sciences at USM, we’re building a future around the water.” 115 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 GULFPORT, MS
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