Two anticipated facilities – the Biloxi Lighthouse pier and the new Woolmarket Public Library – are now open.
The lighthouse pier, which is the city’s most popular pier, reopened over the weekend after contractors completed repairs from Hurricane Nate damage.
The Woolmarket branch of the Harrison County Library System opened this morning at its new digs, at the Woolmarket City Center, 13034 Kayleigh Cove Drive. The library will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 2000-square foot space on the north side of the center allows the branch to increase its children’s collection and accommodate a more comfortable area for patrons to read or use computers.
The move from a small trailer to the new center was a project funded by the city and Harrison County to allow the library more space to accommodate its growing collection and enhanced services and programs. The city is continuing work on the community center portion of the Woolmarket City Center.
Meantime, the Lighthouse Pier, which the city had hoped to have open in time for the Fourth of July, had been closed since October, after Hurricane Nate’s wind and waves destroyed the low-lying end of the pier, and much of the planking and hand rails. The city navigated the process of receiving a host of state and federal permits before the $22,000 in repairs could be made. Work is expected to be completed shortly on the old Ice Wharf on Back Bay.
Visit the Harrison County Library System website
Photo gallery: Take a tour inside the Woolmarket Public Library
Video: Take an aerial tour of the Lighthouse Pier
City recognizes second quarter longevity recipients
Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, on Tuesday, recognized 36 employees for their years of service during a longevity awards presentation.
40 years of service: William Wiley, Fire Department
30 years of service: Pinkey Lewis, Administration Department
25 years of service: Clayton Courtney and Michelle Crowley, Fire Department
20 years of service:James Carson, Parks & Recreation Department; and Randall Moen and Martin Wagner, Police Department
15 years of service: Tom Reno, Administration Department; Christy LeBatard, Engineering Department; Jeremy Allen, Francis Creel, Michael Denton, Charles Gilmore, Larry Hardy, Samuel Jenner, Charles Parker, and Kevin Powell, Fire Department; Billy Ray Allen, Jeffrey Burton, Norman Coleman, Tracey Forehand, Thomas Gazzo, Thomas Lizana, and Joel Newbaker, Public Works Department
10 years of service: Joseph Ewing, Engineering Department; Brandon Franovich, Thomas Friend, Patrick Gotte, and Brandi Misko, Police Department; and Jennifer Hudson, Public Works Department
5 years of service: Jennifer Polk, Community Development Department; Robert Smith III, Engineering Department; Ashley Coker, Legal Department; Brooke Wescovich, Police Department; Tyler Yates, Administration (Port) Department; and Joshua Johnson, Public Works Department
The mayor presents longevity awards quarterly at a Biloxi City Council meeting.
See images from the City Council meeting
News & notes: Weekly report; Breakfast with “FoFo”; Fire station ground breaking
Week in review: Last week, the Fire Department answered 157 calls for service, including 101 medical emergencies and three fires; the Police Department handled 2,255 calls for service; the Community Development Department issued 43 building permits with a construction valuation of more than $315,000; and the Engineering Department continued to progress on projects throughout the city. To see the reports covering last week, click here.
Breakfast with the Mayor: Hear about the latest happenings in Biloxi from Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich Wednesday morning during the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce event, Breakfast with the Mayor. The free event begins at 8 a.m. at the Hard Rock.
Fire Station ground breaking: The public is invited to the Biloxi Fire Department’s Station No. 7 ground breaking on Friday at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the site of the new station, 1672 Popp’s Ferry Road. To see the invite, click here
