LONG BEACH - Residents and city officials are urging the state College Board to rebuild the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Long Beach and leave the city's identity intact.
Many believe moving the campus would hamper the city's plans to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina and are sending letters and petitions to the College Board to let members know how residents feel about the issue....
..."I'm more upset about the fact that the (College Board) would even consider moving the campus after the commitment we've made to them," Alderman Richard Bennett said. "For them to snub us and turn their backs on us is wrong."
Members of Long Beach's university subcommittee have been gathering signatures and letters from people who support rebuilding USM. Late last week, the committee sent 1,200 signatures to the College Board in Jackson and since have gathered 300 more. Members also forwarded letters from the committee and Alderman Richard Burton....
...The College Board is meeting in Jackson today and Thursday but members aren't expected to vote on the issue. But Meredith said the letters, petitions, phone calls and e-mails all will be considered seriously by the board....
Is there any chance that the campus can be located elsewhere in Long Beach (much farther away from the beach)? Rebuilding it in its current location seems a recipe for future disaster.
Isn't it possible to build something that would be resistant to even a Category 5? The problem was with the older buildings, no? I thought the library was pretty much okay.
Isn't it possible to build something that would be resistant to even a Category 5? The problem was with the older buildings, no? I thought the library was pretty much okay. JL
There is a house on the beach in Long Beach which was occupied during Katrina by an architect and his wife. He knew that his house would stand, and it did. It's probably just more expensive to build a category 5 resistant building, but not impossible.
By the way, that library was built on a large part by "Mexican" immigrants.
Mexican Mississippian wrote: Jameela Lares wrote: There is a house on the beach in Long Beach which was occupied during Katrina by an architect and his wife. He knew that his house would stand, and it did. It's probably just more expensive to build a category 5 resistant building, but not impossible. By the way, that library was built on a large part by "Mexican" immigrants. Viva La Raza!
Mexican Mississippian--Which house do you refer to above? I've been down hwy 90 quite a few times since the storm, and everything is wrecked or just plain gone. I don't see how anyone could have suvived being on beach road in that storm. No matter how strong you house is, when it is underwater, you're in trouble.
Mississippian--Which house do you refer to above? I've been down hwy 90 quite a few times since the storm, and everything is wrecked or just plain gone. I don't see how anyone could have suvived being on beach road in that storm. No matter how strong you house is, when it is underwater, you're in trouble.
The house in question is just to the east of the intersection of 90 and South Island View. It is owned by a builder, Jim Savage. He built the house after his parent’s home on the lot was destroyed by Camile in 69. Jim and his wife stayed in the house (a 2 story) but had to retreat into the attic to get above the surge. If the surge had been 3 or more feet higher, as it was around Pass Christian, they would not have made it. The inside of the house has to be completely rebuilt but the frame and outside cinderblock walls still stand.