When Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi coastline in 2005, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Gulfport station was completely leveled. It was imperative that the facility constructed in its place would be able to withstand future catastrophic storms.
True to the Coast Guard’s motto – “Semper Paratus” or “Always Ready,” the new multimission station was designed and constructed to withstand Category 4 hurricane winds and storm surges of 18 feet above high tide.
Not only was the facility designed to save the lives of the Gulfport Station’s crew, it also saved the Coast Guard a substantial amount of money. The original plan was to reconstruct the new station within the same footprint as the previous facility. Instead, B&N and design/build partner Tesoro Corporation identified an alternative layout that eliminated the need to excavate old piles, saving the Coast Guard an estimated $1 million.
Key Features
- Designed to LEED® Certified standards
- Mission-critical functions housed on the second and third floors in the event of flooding
- Breakaway walls to allow the storm surge to flow through the building without imposing excessive lateral loads
- State-of-the-art maintenance and living spaces for crew members
- Kitchen, dining room and recreational areas
- Exterior that blends with surrounding waterfront area and meets the region’s Smart Code
- Park-like setting with a gazebo and picnic tables
- Water efficient landscape designed to meet the City of Gulfport Smart Code and provide continuity, shade, screening and an aesthetically appealing look