Page 28 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2017

COASTNOTES
Gulfport Main Street Association Wins
Gulfport Main Street
228.868.3414 www.downtowngulfport.com
Award for Fishbone Alley
story by Lynn Lofton
photos courtesy of Gulfport Main Street Association
ulfport’s colorful Fishbone Alley received national recognition with the Gulfport Main Street Association’s win of an Innovation on Main Street award from the National Main Street Center. The awards were announced at the Main Street Now Conference in Pittsburgh, Penn., last month.
Only four programs received awards at the national conference that drew approximately 1,600 attendees representing 45 states and 1,600 Main Street programs. The Innovation Award recognizes programs for successful, sustainable initiatives that represent new approaches to an existing downtown revitalization challenge or opportunity.
applied for the award, and the Mississippi Main Street Association recommended the project. The nomination included a history of
the Fishbone Alley project as well as historical and before-and-after photos of the alley.
“This award exemplifies what Main Street is all about — creativity, ingenuity, and savvy use of resources,” said Patrice Frey, president and CEO
“We could not be more honored than to be recognized among our peers from all over the country. We submitted the Fishbone Alley project to show that you can think outside the ‘block’ and utilize what you have to create something your community can embrace,” Toups said.
of the National Main Street Center. “The transformation of Fishbone Alley proves the potential of public space
to bring a community together and enliven a downtown.”
The Fishbone Alley ‘Urban Living Room’ project in an inspiring
example of the power of Main
Street to transform downtowns and rally communities. Gulfport Main Street Association helped to turn an underused, unattractive alley in the middle of downtown into a vibrant public space, featuring century-old brick pavers, public art, and enchanting lighting.
“The quality of life and community involvement in Gulfport is growing
in very exciting ways,” said Laurie Toups, director of Gulfport Main Street Association. “From the newest addition of Fishbone Alley — brainchild of David Parker, City of Gulfport’s economic development director — to the restoration of numerous properties in downtown, Gulfport has a lot to offer!”
The grand opening in 2016 drew thousands of locals and visitors who wanted to experience the essence of this space that’s unlike any other in Mississippi.
The Gulfport Main Street Association
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