James Parrish, owner of the Inn at Magnolia Alley in Bay St. Louis and other businesses in South Mississippi, recently offered .5 million for the Long Beach Harbor Resort yacht club in Long Beach, Mississippi as a possible casino site. Michael Cavanaugh, attorney for the yacht club, said members recently met to discuss the offer but no decision was made.
whether to sell.
Long Beach Mayor Billy Skellie said although the yacht club has about 60 years left on its property lease with the city, “The developers can still bring a proposal to the table without the yacht club.” He added the yacht club’s waterfront location would result in a “cleaner looking” property than a new building near U.S. 90.
Skellie said he has seen two versions of plans for the casino resort, with and without the yacht club, but no official proposal has been presented to the city. He added a casino would bring more in revenue for the city and school district, but also present challenges like having to provide more services and equipment. “I can promise you, we need some revenue. It can’t be all houses and beaches, because we have to have some revenue.”
Still, although Long Beach residents are abuzz about a possible casino, Skellie said, “I don’t get all worked up over these things because it’s just a proposal.”
