Feb. 21: Economic development: Downtown interest

By Jerry Creel, Community Development Director

As the Baseball Stadium project moves forward, there continues to be increased interest in development for the downtown area.

The Baseball Stadium Design is scheduled to go before Biloxi’s Architectural-Historical Review Commission on Thursday, February 27, at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Community Development Building at 676 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd.

Also this week, the owners of the Kress building in the Vieux Marche’ announced their intention to complete the previously began renovations and open a live entertainment venue, which will include music and comedy performances, a recording studio, an American Heritage Museum and five bars. Events are already scheduled for June.

The Level Lounge located next door in the former J.C. Penney’s building
is scheduled to open within the next 30 days. These two projects will provide great catalysts and anchors for downtown.

On Wednesday, the Development Review Committee reviewed the site plans for a new 110-lot single-family subdivision to be located on Mason Road just east of Hudson-Krohn Road. DRC also reviewed the site plan for the new French Quarter Centre on Beach Blvd, which will include the rebuilding of the former Mardi Gras Lounge, and include a pizza restaurant and retail tenant spaces. On Thursday, the Biloxi Planning Commission voted to approve the subdivision of the Walmart Neighborhood Market property on Pass Road to create an out parcel for a retail strip center. The White House Hotel introduced their new management team and announced their intention to open the hotel and restaurant in June.

The demolition of the casino platform across from the Grand Casino is proceeding on schedule and is approximately 50 percent complete. And lastly, the final building plans are scheduled to be submitted Monday for the New Life Parish Center for Saint Michael’s Catholic Church.