Mississippi Renewal Forum
Long Beach, MS

Completion: 2005
Size: 10.1 square miles

When Hurricane Katrina wiped out much of the southern coast of Mississippi, Governor Haley Barbour knew he would need outside assistance as he considered a path for rebuilding the affected communities. Along with Jim Barksdale, the head of the Commission for Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal he assembled a forum of planners, architects and other specialists to collaborate on plans to reshape communities along the Gulf Shore between Gautier and Waveland. Eleven teams were assembled, each tasked with developing new town plans to provide guidance for rebuilding these areas. Ayers/Saint/Gross was assigned the city of Long Beach, a community of 17,300 residents southwest of Gulfport.

An intensive "charrette" format was used. Teams worked side-by-side for six days in a Biloxi hotel conference center. The process relied heavily on public input to inform team members about the original urban context, architectural vocabulary and other unique aspects of area. This forum was intended to be the first effort of an ongoing process to define models and guidelines for rebuilding.

Ayers/Saint/Gross surveyed Long Beach's devastated neighborhoods, reviewed previous physical conditions and worked with community representatives on recommended options for redevelopment. They prepared an overall regional master plan and then focused on the central business district, Main Street, and the area adjacent the shoreline.

A number of items guided the new plan.

• FEMA coast zone management regulations.
• Land use zones and codes affecting lot coverage, building density, heights, setbacks.
• A network of thoroughfares, pedestrian sheds, and open spaces.
• Traditional neighborhood principles reflecting the physical and cultural context of the area.

Recommendations included the following major changes to the existing urban fabric:

• Realignment of Highway 90, setback from the shoreline, complemented by a new public park adjacent the water and marina.
• The use of an existing CSX railroad line as a new thoroughfare coast road and right-of-way for future rapid transit.
• A balanced composition of buildings, civic open spaces and arcades to encourage an interactive pedestrian environment.
• Gateways to create memorable publicspaces.
• Sustainable design and construction to reduce the environmental footprint.