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Bringing people together to shape a vibrant future for Gulfport

Gulfport on the Edge

Community Conversations

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WHY are we making this presentation?

Bring you the outcomes and impact of these events
Share with a larger audience
Demonstrate what Gulfportians are capable of doing
Recognize the contributions of the City, Council and volunteers

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WHY Gulfport on the Edge?

Tap into people’s knowledge, energy, and resources
Increase awareness and involvement in civic, business and community organizations
Build connections and develop leadership
Create shared visions of a vibrant, resilient community

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WHAT did we do?

Brought people together for…

Inclusive, interesting, safe conversations
Document ideas, data, strategic questions
Opportunities to meet neighbors and kindred spirits
Make connections with community groups
Identify resources for resiliency

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Gulfport on the Edge: 3 Events

Finding Common Ground - November 14
Trends & Forces Impacting our Region - January 30
2030: Envisioning Possible Futures - April 10

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WHO is involved?

Produced by a volunteer team of 30+ neighbors and friends

Sponsored by Ward 1 City Councilor Thanos

Supported by City of Gulfport

Involved community & service groups

Attended by business owners, civic leaders, residents, media

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Finding Common Ground: Where are we now?

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We’re going into the future…

2030: Envisioning Possible Futures

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Mutual Storytelling

In the year 2030…

Yes! Yes! Yes!

AND…

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Community Engagement & Resiliency

Fostering an Engaged Community

● Gulfport has a unique sense of community. It’s a place where neighbors know and greet

each other.

● It’s a place where people appreciate the diverse collection of people who live here, and the

varied perspectives and talents that diversity brings.

● Where you can learn about and are inspired by the many actions of others to make Gulfport

a wonderful place to live

● Where newcomers can quickly learn about the strengths, challenges and opportunities that

Gulfport has, and how they can contribute.

● It’s a place where people can easily learn about lots of opportunities to get personally involved.

● There’s an opportunity to expand the methods for communicating powerfully - about our

current issues & opportunities, and the progress we are making to address them.

● A Stakeholder Task force comprised of Gulfport residents, business owners and strategic partners could

provide a community forum for Collaboration and Problem Solving

● Develop and advance strategies and project for building a Resilient and Sustainable community

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Climate &

Nature

Nature & Climate Change

● Residents love our tropical natural environment and our stunning waterfront. They want to

protect it and enhance it.

● There is an understanding of the significance of and vulnerabilities we face from climate

change and rising sea levels, and feel an urgency to take action.

● There is a desire to learn about and address specific issues and solutions related to flooding,

high winds and stormwater management.

● Its important that all residents know about the vulnerabilities that lie ahead, and be able to take

preventative action, and help when emergencies arise.

● Preserve our fabulous environment - wildlife, water, trees and plants

● Understanding the risks and vulnerabilities of Climate Change is a priority concern for Gulfport

residents ….. and a Call to Immediate Action

● We are doing a Vulnerability Study and a Stormwater Study

● Reach out to Educate & Engage the community & strategic partners

● Harden structures against High Winds and Flooding

● Design & install Infrastructure for Sea Level Rise and Flood mitigation

● Enhance Local Readiness and Emergency Response preparation

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Character,

Accessibility

& Diversity

Housing

Gulfport has a very diverse collection of housing. There is an awareness of the variety of challenges

Gulfport currently faces in regard to strengthening its housing. People see opportunities:

● to investigate making Accessory housing easier to build

● to allow multi-family buildings throughout the city including low-rise mixed-use developments

● to clean up derelict properties

● explore how to encourage affordable housing and providing assistance in finding it.

● encourage a balance of well-regulated short-term rentals while also assuring affordable

housing

Incentivize Affordable, Sustainable, and Eco-friendly Housing

● To increase housing for all ages and incomes,

○ investigate making Accessory Housing easier to build

○ allow Multi-Family Units throughout the city

● Provide accessible Education on resources available for Housing Assistance

○ what they are for, where to find them, and how to successfully get them

● Explore opportunities for Funding/Subsidies for affordable art studios and galleries

● Clean Up derelict properties

● Encourage a Balance of well-regulated Short Term Rentals with Affordable Housing

● Incentivize pedestrian friendly low-rise mixed-use developments with retail shops and food service on ground floor

and housing above to serve neighborhoods.

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Leadership

Community Leadership

Leadership in a variety of forms is key to advancing our vision of the future.

● The City, businesses, community groups, and engaged residents all can play a key role in

bringing our future alive.

● There is an opportunity to build understanding about what issues that the city is specifically

positioned to address, and how citizens can help.

● Where community groups actively identify and collaborate to address specific challenges and

opportunities. (like xxxxxx)

● Build greater awareness about opportunities for residents to serve on boards, task forces. and

to volunteer for community organizations and events

● Encourage voting by providing convenient access to register and vote.

As you know effective Leadership is critical for Gulfport’s future

● Foster community engagement

● Celebrate Public Service

○ Promote opportunities for residents to serve on boards, task forces and volunteer for public events and for

community organizations

● Encourage Democracy

○ Get out the Vote

○ Continue to provide safe and convenient access for registering and casting votes

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Arts & Culture

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2030 VISION & PHOTO SHOW

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Outcomes

Documented what people appreciate about Gulfport
Surfaced concerns, information opportunities, lessons from other cities
Learned more about Gulfport and how the City works
Identified innovative ideas, recurring themes, linkages
People learned from and about each other
Discovered kindred spirits and allies

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Impact

Timely responses to questions and corrected misinformation about City policies and services
Prototyped interactive, focused, and productive Town Hall format
Civic and service group participation
Welcome to Gulfport event coordination
Earth Day Neighborhood Block Party
Citizen - City partnerships on projects

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Next Actions

Project planning and leadership resources available
Summaries and stats available on website
Reactions from City Council members:

I liked…
What surprised me is…

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Bridge to the Future

Projects
Research
Connections
Communications

Start building toward future OPPORTUNITIES

What are YOU willing to do?

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THE FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS…

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?

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THANK YOU!