Page 24 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2016

COASTNOTES
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Teddy Lewis
Fishbone Alley, connecting 13th and 14th streets in historic downtown Gulfport, is officially open for business. Before being revitalized, the short 20-foot alley was a place for business dumpsters and illegal dumping — not an inviting place to linger. The redesign of the alley created a pedestrian only right-of-way with century-old brick pavers, pedestrian scale lighting, creative dumpster corrals, decorative lighting and local art.
The City’s Economic Development Department and Gulfport Main Street spearheaded the alley revitalization effort. Hard costs were approximately $250,000 — part of a Federal Community Development Block
Grant — used to improve drainage
and lighting. The art, signs and fish at the entrance were funded through a grant written by Gulfport Main Street Association and awarded by the Knight Foundation with the assistance of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
The brainchild of Economic Development Director, David Parker, the alley is a funky little destination that backs up to a number of restaurants and bars located around the alley. “Fishbone Alley is located directly across the street from another
community space, Hancock Bank’s Lighthouse Park, a beautiful green space that encourages the community to come together, whether it’s lunch
or afternoon coffee,” Parker said. “The
on livability, instead of parking and traffic. Typically, this means creating a street primarily for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as space for social uses. It can be considered an “urban living room” that works in connecting other public spaces in the downtown area.
“Nightlife in downtown Gulfport is growing in very exciting ways,” said Main Street Director Laurie Toups. “From the newest addition of Fishbone Alley to the revived 13th Street Jazz Bistro, Gulfport has a lot to offer. Expect to see events and programming throughout the year such as the World’s Smallest Festival. This is just the beginning of many wonderful events and programs to take place in Fishbone Alley.”
24 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • November 2016
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alley and the park are creating a social interaction of space. These spaces are bringing the entire area together.”
A living alley is a narrow, pedestrian- oriented street that is designed to focus