by Ezabelle Janssen, Staff Writer

LONG BEACH (GG) — Grab your hard hats and fishing poles Long Beach, because the construction of the harbor is underway!

On Tuesday, May 6th, the city officials of Long Beach and members of AnderCorp gathered to discuss and review the immense work being done on the city’s harbor. Long Beach Mayor George Bass wanted to show the officials “what a difference you have made in this harbor and the market.”

It has been a tumultuous past concerning Long Beach and its harbor, with constant deliberation and waiting.  Hurricane Zeta caused significant damage to the Long Beach Harbor in October 2020. Th e 8.2-foot storm surge utterly destroyed the harbor, annihilating future usage funding for repairs, but encountered numerous issues and delays.

A federal disaster declaration was issued, but disagreements arose regarding the scope of the damage and the timing of the events. This led to an arbitration process and ultimately, a denial of the city’s request for nearly $9.5 million in funds.

Overall, Hurricane Zeta caused $650 million in damages to Mississippi.

In February 2021, the monthly Long Beach Board of Aldermen Meeting became a ruckus with the opening of a launch ramp being denied. The community became restless, but the city was unaware of the harbor’s condition, with their hands tied, waiting for a survey. The friendly city puts its citizens’ safety first.

Months later, in June of 2021, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced that the city of Long Beach would receive $2.18 million from GOMESA Funds to build a new bulkhead wall protecting the harbor and structures within the area damaged by Hurricane Zeta.

Since Hurricane Zeta, approaching its fifth anniversary, Long Beach has gone without having boats in its harbor. Losing out on a lot of possible slip rentals, consequently harming the community.

Locals are forced to venture to other cities. However, the city still has to pay for harbor guards, because it is damaged city property, and the public’s safety can’t be at risk.

Fast forward four years, and here we are, making way.  The friendly city deserves a usable harbor for all to enjoy. Beginning at the south end, the wall and sidewalks are nearly completed, including various handicap-accessible.

The city plans to add “Splash Zone” and “No Climbing/Jumping” signs. Officials and workers playfully discussed what fun the kids will have in the splash zones.  In the Southern Quay, a 10ft wide walkway has been added to the design for future marina work. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

This is not a complete demolition; it is a rehabilitation.  Old structures will be utilized. For example, the Southern Quay will build upon the existing sheath ply walls. Not so frivolous, the city is saving approximately 1 million dollars.

“Everything will be coming back,” Mayor Bass said, in one way or another. FEMA would not provide funds for the rebuilding of piers.

With the new design and hydraulics, the wave actions that once caused so much damage will be harnessed. The design will allow the water to come in and elevate over the structure rather than tear it apart.  Also, with the majority of structures being concrete, it will be more durable.

A long time waiting, when asked how he felt about the new harbor, Mayor Bass expressed, “I won’t be around as a mayor when it’s finished, but I’ll be just as proud as a citizen of Long Beach. To know that we’ve got this, it won’t just be for me, it’ll be for our children and our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren, with this survivable new harbor. I think everybody appreciates what we’ve done, and I think that they’re just as anxious as I am to have it back open.”

As a local citizen of the friendly city, I concur, I can not wait for the opening of the harbor. This will not only be a city attraction, but it will boost the economy and help the city of Long Beach thrive.

(Front Photo:  Long Beach Mayor George Bass walks a pier with a local resident in the harbor reviewing the status. Photos all by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)