Downtown Gulfport is one of the only in-tact traditional downtown areas on the Mississippi Coast. With buildings dating back to 1900, downtown has tons of history and generations of property owners committed to preserving that history.
The core of Downtown Gulfport is located one block of of the beach, just north of the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, Jones Park, and the Port of Gulfport. Just west of downtown lies Gulfport’s only gaming establishment, Island View Casino Resort.
Hurricane Katrina’s wrath did not overlook downtown Gulfport. Prior to the 2005 storm, downtown Gulfport was struggling to keep up with the City’s rapidly growing retail base which like many other communities, was developing outside of the central business district. Hurricane Katrina battered the numerous historic buildings and forced the handful of downtown-based small businesses to either close their doors or relocate elsewhere.
Downtown Gulfport was, and still is, home to many corporate headquarters, who post-Katrina have reconfirmed their commitment to the downtown area. Gradually, small businesses are returning as historic buildings are renovated and coming back online with updated and improved spaces.
With the assistance of the federal, state, local government and community agencies, more than $45 Million of public funding has been poured into downtown Gulfport. After two long years of preparations and red tape, work is well underway.
Downtown’s location and history are two of the factors that make the real estate some of the most valuable in the area. For more information on any area within downtown, please email Lisa Bradley at LBradley@gulfport-ms.gov.