Ship getting back in shape

Several agencies are involved

By MELISSA M. SCALLAN
mmscallan@sunherald.com

GULFPORT --

Beginning this spring, the National Park Service will begin rebuilding the parts of Ship Island that Hurricane Katrina destroyed.

Plans include a new concession stand, public restrooms and overnight accommodations for law enforcement workers and tour guides. The park service also will have to restore power and water services to the island. The price tag for the restoration will be nearly $4 million.

Jerry Eubanks, superintendent for Gulf Islands National Seashore for Mississippi and Florida, said the layout of the island might change, and the concession stand likely will resemble a Katrina cottage.

"It will be a different type of structure," he said. "The function will be the same, but it probably will look a little bit different."

The National Park Service is responsible for everything on Ship Island, and several offices across the country have had a hand in deciding what will be built back and how.

For example, Eubanks said, the park service's Denver office did the design work for Ship Island, and Eubanks and other representatives will travel to Alexandria, Va., next week to get concept approval from the Design Advisory Board.

Louis Skrmetta, operations manager for Ship Island Excursions, said he wished the repairs had been started before now because of the need for non-casino tourist attractions.

"We depend heavily on them for those repairs," Skrmetta said. "They won't let us do anything. We've asked. Also, the recreational boating folks gravitate to Fort Massachusetts. People want to be around people."

Skrmetta said there can be 300 boats at Ship Island on a Saturday or Sunday during the summer.

"What we had before Katrina was good, but we were starting to outgrow it," he said.

It has taken this long to get the design completed because of the involvement of so many offices and people, Eubanks said. Also, the park service had to comply with safety and environmental regulations, as well as the National Historic Preservation Act.

Equipment also must be replaced to allow the island to generate its own power, pump water and dump sewage.

"All of the (facilities) above the ground were pretty much destroyed," Eubanks said, "But we are hoping to have it finished by the end of (next) year. That's the target."