The city of Biloxi, Mississippi is on the move with numerous building and renovation projects in progress downtown near the new MGM Park stadium and elsewhere. Area casinos are playing a major role in the activities by investing in amenities, such as a country nightclub about to open at IP Casino, which also is updating its hotel suites. Harrah’s Gulf Coast is renovating every hotel room. The former Casino Magic is being transformed into a hotel and water park. Other Biloxi-area hotel construction includes a new Hyatt Place, La Quinta Inn and Hilton Garden Inn. The former Santa Maria del Mar apartments will become a hotel. All of these projects will eliminate the lodging shortage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said last year the city’s Community Development department issued $86 million in permits, including $57 million in commercial and $28 million in residential development. Community Development Director Jerry Creel added 74 building permits with a $1.1 million value recently were issued.
In addition, Gilich said Biloxi has applied for Tidelands and BP money to expand marinas and build boardwalks and pavilions along “Restaurant Row” plus a boat ramp in west Biloxi.
In downtown Biloxi, Hobbs Mize will remove the Art Deco façade on the Taylor building at 808 Howard Avenue, exposing the brick and creating a storefront appropriate to the Old Biloxi look in the Downtown Historic District. The former Woolworth’s will feature offices, shops and restaurants, said Mize, who also will develop a mixed-use building at the Vieux Marche.
Gilich also announced, “We are working with the Skrmetta family and expect to re-establish daily Ship Island excursions to and from Biloxi.”
