Page 132 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2016

HOME & GARDEN tax abatement program RESIDENTIAL
South of the railroad tracks building is booming in Gulfport, mostly due to the tax abatement program
Anyone driving along Highway 90 and
the streets south of the railroad track in Gulfport these days is seeing a welcome
sight: new houses are being built and occupied, lots that have been vacant for 10 years are selling, and existing home sales are increasing. Residents and business owners agree this residential resurgence is good for morale and the economy.
Builders and city officials say there are a number of contributing factors to this rebirth, but significant among them is Gulfport’s tax abatement program. This city ordinance, adopted in 2015, established the Highway 90 Tax Abatement District South of the CSX Railroad track from city line to city line, the Downtown Tax Abatement District and the Centennial Plaza District.
New construction, renovation or improvement fronting Highway 90 with a minimum cost of $400,000 (excluding price of land) is released from paying city ad valorem taxes for seven years. Construction, renovation or improvement on
lots in this district but not fronting Highway 90 must cost a minimum of $100,000 to benefit from the tax abatement program. There are also provisions for multi-family and commercial development.
“The ordinance was passed to spur new construction along Highway 90. It was a lot of hard work with the city council and staff to implement it,” said David L. Parker, economic development director for Gulfport. “We’re the only city in the state doing it at this time.”
Parker points out that school
taxes must still be paid. Anyone considering a project should contact him to sign up for the program and to learn all the provisions.
Home builder Kevin Taylor, president of Plum Homes, believes the tax abatement program is making an impact. “Some people are putting more money into their homes because of it,” he said. “Other factors are low interest rates, the more competitive insurance rates and the 10 years we’ve had without a major storm.”
Taylor’s Plum Homes is celebrating 25 years in the business and he’s
David L. Parker, City of Gulfport 228.323.5905 davidparker@gulfport-ms.gov
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Katherine Sowers
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