Vacant since Hurricane Katrina, the former Biloxi Broadwater Resort property on U.S. 90 in Mississippi will be developed into a $1.2 billion, 266-acre casino resort, the Biloxi city council recently announced.
The development, a joint project between Dakia Entertainment Hospitality and Universal Music Group, will have a music theme and feature a 12,000-seat performance center and a 125,000-square-foot casino. It’s expected to open in 2023 and create 1,000 construction jobs and 2,500 permanent jobs.
Biloxi Attorney Peter Abide said about $200 million of the total investment will go toward the casino. Other amenities will include a 1,150-room hotel and spa, restored marina with a signature restaurant, signature 18-hole golf course and 18,000-square-feet of retail.
Mayor FoFo Gillich said, “The Broadwater Beach, as it was known in the ‘50s, was ‘the attraction’ that brought attention and many people to our Coast. This new development would certainly be an understatement to say that this project will be transformational for Biloxi, our Coast and the state of Mississippi.” Gillich said 23 homeless camps were located at the property.
Biloxi Council member Dixie Newman, representing the resort’s ward, said she has been receiving dozens of inquiries about the proposed casino. “Everyone’s ecstatic there’s actually going to be something done out there,” she said.
Another Biloxi music-themed casino resort has been proposed by the rock band KISS. A ribbon-cutting event and concert have been postponed due to Covid-19 shutdowns.
Dakia Entertainment Hospitality and Broadwater Development, owner of the property, signed a formal letter of intent to build the entertainment complex. Dakia will manage the resort and has entered into a joint venture with Universal Music Group, which owns and operates businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries.
