Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich has announced the formation of an ad hoc committee to secure the necessary funding to create a new, secure Division Street gateway into Keesler Air Force Base.
“This is No. 1 on my list of priorities,” Gilich said. “We must move the gate to Division Street to strengthen the base’s security posture and to help protect it against future BRAC initiatives. Keesler is vital to Biloxi’s economy and growth, and this move is critical to protecting Keesler’s mission.”
Gilich said various proposals to locate the main entrance to Keesler at Division Street have been discussed and proposed for more than a decade. He held the first committee meeting Wednesday at the Biloxi Visitors Center to develop a plan of action.
Committee members include Biloxi CAO David Nichols, City Attorney Gerald Blessey, Transition Director F. Cliff Kirkland, City Council President Felix O. Gines, Biloxi Keesler Liaison retired Lt. Gen. Clark Griffith, Keesler Cols. Dennis Scarborough and Susan Airola-Skully, Keesler Civil Engineer Mark “Mo” Malone, Southern District MDOT Commissioner Tom King, Biloxi Housing Authority Executive Director Bobby Hensley, State Sen. Tommy Gollott and State Rep. Randall Patterson.
Also at the gathering, but not members of the committee: Myrtis Franke of Sen. Thad Cochran’s Coast office, Brad Ferguson and Andrew Hinkebein of Sen. Roger Wicker’s Coast office and T.J. Moran of Congressman Steven Palazzo’s Coast office,
“We discussed funding options for what is expected to be a $28 to $30 million project,” Gilich said. “We identified realistic funding resources and will meet again next week to finalize an action plan and timetable.”
See photos from the gathering
A whirlwind podcast with ‘Mayor FoFo’
Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich appeared on the City Hall podcast this morning. Among the topics covered by Hizzoner:Â Learning to drink from a fire hose; a review of MGM Park, the Biloxi Shuckers and the big weekend; Serena Gilich’s role in the Gilich administration; bike lanes in downtown Biloxi; improving access to Keesler Air Force Base; and that special place called Biloxi.
Listen to the six-minute program
