Finally First Friday, the monthly tip of the hat to downtown Biloxi, ushers in another turn of the calendar this evening with entertainment by the Brett Mitchell Band and Richard Shropshire.
The 5 to 8 p.m. event, focused in the Rue Magnolia and Water Street area known as the Downtown Arts District, features discounts from downtown merchants, a ’50s sock hop, a chance to win a $100 downtown gift card and a show by Jeri Hardy at Gallery 782.
Elsewhere this weekend you’ll find a professional bull riders rodeo at the Coast Coliseum, a Beatles tribute show at the Beau Rivage, Asia at the Hard Rock and Natalie Cole at the IP.
See your weekend entertainment lineup
Pumpkins and pooches at Church of the Redeemer
Halloween is just around the corner, which means its time for the Pumpkin Patch at Church of the Redeemer. The patch is open weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon until 6 p.m., until either Oct. 31, or all pumpkins are gone.
Incidentally, the Redeemer, which is at 1904 Popp’s Ferry Road, conducts its annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony Sunday at 2 p.m. Â Any and all animals and their owners are invited; the church also will be accepting donations for the Humane Society of South Mississippi.
Webcasting: The lowdown on Cruisin’ the Coast
Kay Miller Carter and Laurie Rosetti, the city’s Downtown Services duo, provide an inside look at this year’s Downtown Biloxi Block Party, the Cruisin’ the Coast event set for next week, in this week’s City Desk webcast.
Listen to the 13-minute program
Get your cruisin’ preview
Medical-retail development OK’d on Jam Lane
By Jerry Creel, Community Development Director
This week in economic development, the Biloxi Planning Commission voted to approve a new 2-lot medical and retail subdivision to be located on Jam Lane. The proposed development will include 13,000 square feet of retail space and 2000 square feet of medical. The Planning Commission also voted to approve height and density variances, and a tree removal application for the proposed Hyatt Place Hotel to be located at 1150/1152 Beach Boulevard, just west of the existing Hampton Inn. The proposed hotel will be 79’ in height and have 114 rooms.
Also this week, the Development Review Committee conducted the initial review of the site plan for the proposed Comfort Suites Hotel to be located on the south side of Beach Boulevard, just east of the Sea Breeze Condominiums . This 110 unit hotel will be the first beach side hotel to be constructed south of Highway 90 since Hurricane Katrina.
The Reef Restaurant is scheduled to open early next week in time for Cruisin’ the Coast, and Goodwill on Pass Road is days away from opening as well. This week we received building plans for six new single family residential homes.
During the Month of September we issued 236 building permits for a total construction valuation of $9.6 Million Dollars. We also issued 54 Certificates of Occupancy.
Council to consider zoning change for former hospital
The Biloxi City Council on Tuesday will vote on whether to allow a zoning change to allow the former Gulf Coast Medical Center to be transformed into a 255-room hotel. The application  is being made by owner Brian Tsang, owner of the 8.3-acre site off Debuys Road. Tsang told the Planning Commission it would be a “personal name” hotel.
Among the other issues on the agenda Tuesday: contracts for the ongoing infrastructure work, renewal of a lease agreement for the Point Cadet Marina fuel dock, and imminent domain cases involving strips of beachfront property north of the U.S. 90, related to the city’s infrastructure work.
See the agenda and available resolutions
News and notes
Coming up:Â To see a collection of flyers touting a host of upcoming events in Biloxi, click here.
DRC: The Development Review Committee meets next week to review plans for another expansion of the offerings at Big Play, the entertainment venue at Veterans and U.S. 90; and Santa’s Tree Land at 2650 Beach Blvd. To see the DRC agenda, click here.
Facebook likes: Those who have Liked the city’s Facebook page saw photos this week of Caillavet Street progress, maintenance at the White House fountain and a throwback photo of Barry Lyons, Mr. Baseball, being honored by Mayor A.J. Holloway nearly 20 years ago.  There were also reminders of a host of upcoming don’t-miss city events. To see the city’s Facebook page – please Like it while you’re there – click here.
