Catherine Hickman Theater and Senior Center parking lots will be getting a facelift. Several other Gulfport roads and parking lots will see improvements this month.
Photo courtesy of the City of Gulfport
On Dec. 2, Gulfport City Council unanimously approved a $350,892.70 contract for roadway milling, resurfacing, and parking lot improvements across the city.
The work begins in early December and targets several problem streets where water intrusion and aging pavement have accelerated deterioration.
Council Authorizes Contract for Citywide Repairs
Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract with Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc.
The company already holds a competitive bid contract with Sumter County, which Gulfport can legally use. This approach allows the City to move forward quickly without issuing a new bid.
Public Works Explains the Need for Resurfacing
Assistant Public Works Director Kendrix Anderson explained that the project focuses on extending pavement life, not rebuilding roads.
“The milling and overlay is just rehabilitation. It pretty much prolongs the lifetime of the road,” Anderson said. “If we were going to do something that makes the road last longer, we would have to do a full-depth reclamation and install all new sub-base.”
Anderson also described the challenges created by Gulfport’s high water table.
“The high tide comes in and just sits on the road and deteriorates it, especially along 46th and Miriam,” Anderson said.
Therefore, the City must eventually identify new materials that work better beneath those saturated areas.
Restoring Roadway Crowns Helps Drain Standing Water
Council asked whether the resurfacing would improve road slope. Anderson said yes.
“With this inch-and-a-half we install, we reestablish the crown… It helps keep water off the roadway,” he said. “Over years, garbage trucks flatten the crown, and water ends up in the middle of the road. It was never supposed to be there.”
Anderson explained that staff aims for a standard 2.5% slope to move stormwater properly.
That’s not all that happened at the Dec. 2 Gulfport City Council meeting. Read about ADUs, Charter amendment, Mayor Karen Love, what we overheard, and Gulfport Lions Club.
Exploring New Pavement Technologies
Council also raised ideas about lighter pavement and permeable surfaces. Anderson said Public Works staff researched those options.
“Solar Guard and lighter pavements are still in early stages,” he said. “No Florida community has adopted them yet.”
He added that California and Arizona are testing them, but data remains limited and utility cuts may affect performance.
“There are plenty of options, but there are things to consider before we go that route,” he said.
Mayor Karen Love thanked staff for allocating resurfacing work across the city.
“I really appreciate the map and the fact that you spread the wealth around,” she said. “Residents often say nothing ever happens in their neighborhood, so this helps address that.”
Next Steps
Because Council approved the resolution unanimously, work will begin in early December.
The project fits within the City’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Projects budget, which includes $400,000 for resurfacing and reconstruction.
The Gulfport City Council’s next meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.
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