GULFPORT, MS (AP) — The city of Gulfport and the Mississippi Main Street Association are looking for ideas to turn unused downtown space into attractions.
"We want to turn alleyways between buildings into more of a community space than just a spot to throw trash. The main goal is to get feet on the street," Stacy Pair, MMSA district director, told The Sun Herald’s James Skrmetta.
David Parker, director of economic development, said Pair and Main Street brought in ideas Gulfport had never thought about such as a simple change of lighting and music to a more elaborate planning of scheduled mobile events such as pop-up movies shown from the back of a panel truck.
"They are coming up with amazing advice for our city," Parker said.
"It's important to bring people from the outside to give you a fresh perspective on the city," said Gulfport spokesman Chris Vignes said.
After the group members conclude their brainstorming session, they will craft a list of proposals for the city to look at and decide where to go forward.
"What's important is that Gulfport has an incredible amount of potential," Pair said. "Everything starts with potential."
