CTA to Restore Gulfport Library
Besides memories, an empty shell is about all that is left of what was once a popular library. Hurricane Katrina dealt a though blow, but a new partnership between the Coast Transit Authority and the city is slated to bring this building back to life.
"It will be an enhancement of the existing Gulfport transit center. Our passenger waiting area right now is too small to support the amount of activity that will happen with the aquarium so all of that will switch over to the new Gulfport transit center at the old library building”, said Kevin Coggin, who is the CTA Executive Director.
The library, built in 1906 has been sitting empty since Katrina, and city officials say it’s an eyesore.
David Parker of Gulfport Economic Development said, "One of the things that we’re the most proud of with standing in front of this building is it really needs some attention and it’s a dilapidated building that is going to get a rebirth if you will”.
80 percent of the seven and a half million dollar project will be funded by the Federal Transit Association, while the remaining 20 percent will come from the city. While the project is progressive and driven by a look at future traffic, CTA leaders say they plan to restore the building while maintaining its historical value.
“We’re going to maintain the building as is. The ground floor will be open air. The interior space will be pretty much like it was before. Instead of having library books it’s going to be an open meeting space and a few office spaces that we’re going to lease out so the public will be able to rent that space if they want to and have meetings there.”
CTA is also looking in to securing funding for an overpass for easier access over Highway 90 that would connect the new transit hub to the Jones Park area.
"It will be an enhancement of the existing Gulfport transit center. Our passenger waiting area right now is too small to support the amount of activity that will happen with the aquarium so all of that will switch over to the new Gulfport transit center at the old library building”, said Kevin Coggin, who is the CTA Executive Director.
The library, built in 1906 has been sitting empty since Katrina, and city officials say it’s an eyesore.
David Parker of Gulfport Economic Development said, "One of the things that we’re the most proud of with standing in front of this building is it really needs some attention and it’s a dilapidated building that is going to get a rebirth if you will”.
80 percent of the seven and a half million dollar project will be funded by the Federal Transit Association, while the remaining 20 percent will come from the city. While the project is progressive and driven by a look at future traffic, CTA leaders say they plan to restore the building while maintaining its historical value.
“We’re going to maintain the building as is. The ground floor will be open air. The interior space will be pretty much like it was before. Instead of having library books it’s going to be an open meeting space and a few office spaces that we’re going to lease out so the public will be able to rent that space if they want to and have meetings there.”
CTA is also looking in to securing funding for an overpass for easier access over Highway 90 that would connect the new transit hub to the Jones Park area.
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