Gulf Coast Operations |
| |
Pictures of Progress
University of Southern Mississippi
Gulf Park Campus, Long Beach, MS
February 28, 2007 |
| |
|
Looking south from Hardy Hall toward Highway 90 and the Mississippi Sound, the beautiful Live Oaks still stand majestically as protectors of their domain. |
|
| |
|
Looking southeast from the Friendship Oak toward the Port of Gulfport about 3.5 miles away, one can see the canopy of green leaves, which were ripped from the limbs of the Live Oaks during the storm, reappearing — a symbol of the renewal taking place on campus and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. |
|
| |
|
From the Administration Building, the southern view is breathtaking. The water glistens beyond the Live Oaks as the sun rises over the Mississippi Sound. |
|
| |
|
Even the fury of Hurricane Katrina couldn’t uproot the Friendship Oak, which has stood for more than 500 years. Having been totally replenished with fertilizer treatments and fresh mulch, the magnificent Live Oak tree lives on as the centerpiece of the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus and one of the most significant historical and environmental landmarks of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Visitors come daily to view the tree and take pictures with family and friends. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
A pre-Katrina bench on the northeast side of the Friendship Oak will once again provide opportunities for students to relax and enjoy the natural monument. |
|
| |
|
In the foreground stands the historical marker celebrating the continuing existence of the Friendship Oak.
In the background stands Hardy Hall, one of the most historically significant buildings on the Gulf Park campus. As evidenced by the orange construction fencing, cleanup work continues on the building. All debris remaining in the building from the hurricane was removed, allowing for a thorough examination of the structure. Additionally, the debris from the destroyed cafeteria on the building’s west side, which had been added and was not part of the original structure, has now been completely removed. Recently updated structural engineering reports reveal that a great amount of settling and other foundation damage has occurred to the building and must be repaired. Renovation will also require replacement of the HV/AC system, the electrical system, flooring, ceilings, doors, windows, and various support walls. The estimated cost of restoration will be 60-65% of the cost of new construction.
|
|
| |
|
A small Caterpillar tractor is parked in the east wing of Hardy Hall. Workers have used this and other machinery to remove boiler room equipment and other debris that has remained in the building since Katrina struck. This wing of Hardy Hall was the site of many important meetings of civic, government, and education leaders. One such meeting resulted in the University of Southern Mississippi earning its "dual campus" status. |
|
| |
|
Just northwest of Hardy Hall and the Friendship Oak, workers demolish the remains of the historic Cook Library. Federal and state preservation specialists determined that the building had sustained too much damage through Hurricane Katrina to preserve the building’s historical significance through renovation efforts. The University plans to provide an historic record of the building at an appropriate location on the rehabilitated campus. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
This picture, looking south towards Hardy Hall, provides an alternative view of the demolition of Cook Library. |
|
| |
|
he Administration Building is the center building of the three historically significant structures on the front side of the Gulf Park campus. These buildings, referred to here as the "front" buildings, are Hardy Hall, Lloyd Hall, and the Administration Building.
Debris remaining in the Administration Building from Hurricane Katrina has been removed, and a structural engineering firm has evaluated the building’s foundational integrity. Having suffered the most damage of the historic "front" buildings, the building would have to be nearly totally reconstructed, allowing for access improvements in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The recommendation has been made to demolish the building, because the estimated rehabilitation costs exceed 70 percent of new construction. If the building is demolished, related FEMA and MEMA reimbursements would be used to construct an improved or alternative structure for the campus. The Administration Building’s prominent stair balustrade would be recovered and used in new construction as an historic reminder of the building. The building would be remembered through an historical marker of some type.
|
|
| |
|
Workers remove stored furniture and other articles from the Advanced Education Center (AEC) in preparation for the $3.2 million renovation and rehabilitation of the AEC, the newest classroom building on the Gulf Park campus, and the Library. The renovation began in March and initial work will concentrate on providing enough classroom space for the campus to offer a full complement of classes in fall 2007. All work, including some modifications that are being made to the Auditorium to enhance performance capabilities, should be complete by late October or early November 2007.
The AEC is unique in that its construction was funded through a combination of state and local financing. The local financing was provided through a historic cooperative agreement of the governments of Harrison County and the five municipalities in the county, which each agreed to repay a portion of the $2 million bond. Approval of the related state financing hinged on the local government cooperation.
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
The Joe Earl Holloway Complex has been renovated and is being used for night classes. Currently, 11 classrooms in this complex and the adjacent business complex are being used. As the campus pushes toward full operational status in fall 2007, some of the complex may be used temporarily to provide food service.
Long Beach High School is using the tennis courts directly across from this complex for its tennis team practices.
|
|
| |
|
A veranda lies on the south side of the Advanced Education Center. Despite some debris remaining from the roof work that is being completed, most hurricane-related debris has been removed. Large turtles are often seen swimming in the widened water retention/pond area of Bear Creek. |
|
| |
|
A wood/concrete walkway crosses Bear Creek on the south side of the Advanced Education Center and connects the AEC to the Library. The green is returning to the banks and trees, gradually overcoming the effects of the dramatic saltwater intrusion and flooding from Hurricane Katrina. |
|
| |
|
Oak trees grace the front lawn of the Library, and hide the signs of roofing work, which is nearly complete. Enhancements to the building will allow late night access and wireless Internet access in the first floor browsing area. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
The Technology Learning Center, also known as the Toy Library, allows handicapped persons of all ages to test or receive training on aids or other devices before actually purchasing the device. The existing 2,000 square-foot structure, which is slated for demolition, is being replaced by a 5,000 - 6,000 square-foot building that will be architecturally consistent with the other major buildings on campus. The new building is being funded through a $1.6 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. It will be planned, designed, and constructed on a "fast track" method to meet a mandatory completion deadline of September 30, 2007. The new building will be constructed on the site of the old Barber Annex, which is being demolished.
In the front of the existing building, an activity garden allowed clients and students the opportunity to relax and learn about nature. Once the building is removed, an enhanced outdoor gathering place for students, staff, and the general public will be created in its place. |
|
| |
|
A dedication sign, reading "TLC Playground" stands in front of the dilapidated building. |
|
| |
|
The Barber Building, located just west/northwest of the existing Technology Learning Center (TLC), will be renovated with part of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services grant that is being used to construct the new TLC. The building, which will be used by TLC clients to dress for physical therapy and exercise on the adjoining tennis courts, will be updated with the university’s signature stucco and red tile architectural materials to complement the new TLC as well as the historic buildings on campus. |
|
| |
|
A view of the north side of the Barber Building reveals the structure’s need for renovation. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
The Barber Building Annex, located just north of the Barber Building shown in the previous pictures, will be demolished and replaced with the 5,000 – 6,000 square-foot Technology Learning Center structure, which is being funded by a $1.6 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.
The new TLC will have a covered portico which will allow clients to be dropped off without having to brave the elements. Many clients require ambulatory support such as wheel chairs and crutches, so the covered entryway is a much-anticipated improvement. |
|
| |
|
The brush behind the existing Barber Building Annex is being cleared as part of the site preparation for the new TLC. Such clean-up efforts and improvements will greatly enhance the overall appearance of the Gulf Park campus. |
|
| |
|
New street lighting and a fitness trail border one of the baseball fields on Third Street leading into the main campus. The fitness trail was funded with a $90,000 grant and AmeriCorps student volunteer help.
The Long Beach Recreation Center, seen in the background, has been restored for limited recovery volunteer use. |
|
| |
|
This is an additional view of the fitness trail, Recreation Center, and baseball field. The property on which the baseball fields and Recreation Center lie was acquired by the university from the city of Long Beach in 2001-2002 for expansion purposes. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
The positive impact of improvements, like new street lights and the fitness trail, on the appearance of the campus is diminished by eyesores like the Third (shown here) and Second (shown below) Street entrances. A joint committee of university employees and Long Beach citizens is developing a project to improve the campus entrances and provide enhanced connections between the campus and the downtown area, just a few blocks to the west. The committee is exploring possible sources of grant funding and other support to produce a model that could be replicated throughout the coast in cities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. |
|
| |
|
The blue and white structure on the left at the Third Street entrance is the Long Beach Recreation Center. To the right of Center lie the remains of the Knights of Columbus (KC) Hall. The KCs, who are working to clean the property, plan to rebuild in an alternative location. If grant funding can be secured by the University to acquire the KC property, the University can ensure a more uniform footprint for the Gulf Park campus. |
|
| |
|
The appearance of the Long Beach Recreation Center is not consistent with the appearance of other building on campus, and it does not set the welcoming ambience needed at a campus entrance. When the city of Long Beach moves its recreation activities to a new location, this building could be demolished to provide additional green space. Community development funds might also be sought to construct a new activity center for use by students and Long Beach citizens. |
|
| |
|
The Second Street campus entrance is also being considered for improvements by the joint university/community committee. |
|
| |
|
