City seeks grass roots input from east Biloxi residents

The City of Biloxi will be conducting neighborhood surveys this month in Wards 1 and 2 to seek input on the city’s east Biloxi revitalization project.

About 15 workers will conduct 800 voluntary surveys between Dec. 6 and 21. The 59-question survey is expected to take about 20 minutes. Questions seek opinions on quality of life issues and concerns.

“We’ve discussed this revitalization plan with developers, property owners, businesspeople, civic groups, the Planning Commission and the City Council,” said Community Development Director David Staehling. “Now, we’re taking it to the grass roots level, to the folks who may not attend those meetings for one reason or another. We feel that we know the issues, the problems and the needs for east Biloxi, and now we want to hear what they think.”

The city is hoping that its multi-million-dollar traffic improvement projects, coupled with affordable housing initiatives by the city and the Biloxi Housing Authority, will revitalize east Biloxi and spur more commercial activity.

The 800 surveys account for about 10 percent of the east Biloxi population, according to the 2000 Census, and will provide a sufficient sample to provide a 98 percent accuracy rating of the community’s viewpoint, Staehling said.

Surveyors will be identified by badge and may knock on residents doors in Wards 1 and 2 anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Dec. 6 to 21.