Work is now underway on the latest boardwalk project – a 12-foot-wide waterside concrete pathway that will tie all of Point Cadet together, from Point Cadet Marina, around the tip of the peninsula, to Point Cadet Plaza and recreational area to Howard Avenue and just south of the Palace Casino.
The $1.85 million project is being constructed in two phases – the waterfront south of the Biloxi Bay Bridge initially, followed by the area north of the bridge. All work is scheduled to be completed late Summer or early Fall 2019.
“The low height of the old Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge divided the Point Cadet waterfront as north and south of U.S. 90,” said Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, whose goal is to have a host of boardwalks along the Biloxi waterfront. “The height of the current Biloxi Bay Bridge gives us the opportunity to tie all of the area together with this boardwalk.
“We believe it’s going to be as popular as the West Biloxi boardwalk. It invites engagement with the waterfront.” Added Gilich: “These projects are about public access and enjoyment of our beautiful waterfront.”
Repairs to the existing bulkheads at the far south end of the project are the initial focus of the work, says Ed Ott, a city engineer who helped coordinate work on the West Biloxi boardwalk. The projects were designed by architect Buzzy Bolton and engineered by Brown, Mitchell & Alexander.
Contractor DCD Construction Co. is now excavating to expose tie-backs along the existing bulkhead to help engineers install permanent bulkhead repairs. Drainage improvements and new pavement markings are also proposed for the existing parking lot on the south side of the Palace Casino parking garage.
The south end will begin a few feet off the Point Cadet Marina parking lot near the marina bait/tackle and fuel shop at Point Cadet Marina. In fact, the project will create a boardwalk at a popular pre-Katrina gathering spot, Gorenflo’s Bar and Tackle Shop, whose original waterfront location was destroyed by the storm.
The north part of the work will be run from the Point Cadet Pavilion and Splash Pad and tie into an existing sidewalk at the east end of Howard Avenue, at the Palace parking garage.
The Point Cadet Boardwalk will include overhead lighting on decorative poles, similar to the treatment at the West Biloxi Boardwalk, and the project will include new overhead lighting for the public parking area between the splash pad and the Palace garage.
DCD Construction, a local firm that was involved in the improvements at Popp’s Ferry Causeway Park, mobilized equipment and began installing temporary construction fencing at the south end of the project in October.
