Gulfport Has Glitch in Acquiring Land for New Dedeaux Road Community Center

by Keith Burton   GCN  3/18/08

The City of Gulfport has run into a problem in getting reimbursed  from FEMA for acquiring land for their planned Dedeaux Road Community Center. The City used insurance and requested FEMA funds to buy the land, some 6.64 acres, to build the community center but FEMA has notified the city that they must control all of the land. (GCN Photo-Gulfport City Hall)

Gulfport purchased the land earlier this year but left a portion of the property as a right-of-way easement to the landowner so that he would have access to land-locked property nearby. But now FEMA says the city must have full control of the property. To do that, the city must spend more money to purchase the right-of-way portion of the property that they have already spent $1.4 million. The city now needs to come up with an additional $221,623. If the city council does not approve the additional money, FEMA's share of the costs for the project will be reduced.

FEMA says if the city chooses not to acquire the easement property, the city will have to resubmit a new application for project re-imbursement from FEMA, a process that add months to the matter.

The Gulfport City Council is to hear from the administration on the issue at today's City Council meeting.

Several residents have been protesting the purchase of the property, feeling that the city had paid too much for the land.

More Information:

Gulfport March 18, 2008 Agenda - .pdf file