Police and city leaders are pleased with the effectiveness of the city’s Spring Break traffic plan, but at the same time early indications are that Spring Break 2018 had half of the 70,000 visitors of last year and a quarter of the 125,000 visitors expected this year. In fact, the occupancy rate was lower than a typical weekend for Biloxi and Coast hotels.
Going into the weekend, the Mississippi Lodging Association reported a 90 percent occupancy rate at the Coast’s 15,400 hotel rooms, but by mid-afternoon Friday as many as 3,000 rooms became available with cancellations, which the association attributed to troubling weather reports exacerbated by a number of declined credit cards.
This year’s occupancy rate – which will be confirmed on Wednesday as numbers are tabulated – was believed to be about 70 percent, far below the 86.2 percent the weekend before Spring Break, the Mississippi Lodging Association said. In the past three years, Spring Break weekend has scored a weekend occupancy rate in the mid to upper 80s, even as Biloxi’s and the Coast’s hotel room rate has increased.
Meanwhile, the city’s traffic plan, which saw U.S. 90 traffic reduced to two lanes in the nine miles between I-110 and Cowan Road, kept traffic moving throughout the weekend. In fact, police never had to implement a “full vent,” where traffic would be forced to I-110 or Cowan Road and then to Interstate 10. Police were even able to open all four lanes of traffic at some points during the weekend.
“Certainly we had far fewer numbers than we were expecting, due to weather and the credit card issue,” said Biloxi Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard, “but this plan was an example of advance planning by our Biloxi Police Department and great cooperation and support from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and a host of neighboring agencies.
“We want to thank all of them for the assistance and hard work, and we also want to thank the public – our residents, businesses and visitors – for being so cooperative and patient with the heavier than normal traffic.”
The weekend was not without incident. Police reported 666 Spring Break calls for service – in addition to the overall 2,334 calls for service citywide last week. There were 42 Spring Break-related arrests, including 16 felonies. Sixty-two vehicles were towed; 279 traffic tickets were issued; and recovered were 15 stolen guns and five stolen vehicles.
Said Leonard: “We’ll be taking a look at Spring Break weekend, just as we do all events. Police will sit down and review their plan, and we’ll also have an administrative review to see how things went and what we could have done better.”
See a video report from Saturday night
See video report from Friday night
See the pre-event video report
See the weekly report
Rivers remain swollen after weekend rain
Emergency managers report that rivers in Biloxi and Harrison County remain above flood stage, and will remain high today and tomorrow.
The status as of 2 this afternoon:
— Wolf River is currently 8.99 feet; it is forecast to fall below its eight-foot flood stage early Tuesday morning.
— Biloxi River is currently 13.82 feet; it is forecast to fall below its 12-foot flood stage early Tuesday morning.
— Tchoutacabouffa River is currently 8.63 ft; it is forecast to fall below its eight-foot flood stage Monday evening.
See real-time river stages online
News and notes: Weekly report, Shuckers, Council, 5k
The week that was: Last week, the Fire Department answered 176 calls for service, including 108 medical emergencies and two fires; the Police Department handled 2,334 calls for service; the Community Development Department issued 46 building permits with a construction valuation of nearly $45,000; and the Engineering Department continued to progress on projects throughout the city. To see the reports covering last week, click here.
Play ball: The Biloxi Shuckers will begin its five-game road trip tonight against the Mobile BayBears at 6:35 p.m. The Biloxi Shuckers will return to MGM Park on Saturday to play the Montgomery Biscuits. To see the complete schedule, click here.
City Council: The Biloxi City Council will hold its second meeting of the month on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall. To see the agenda, including supporting documents, click here.
Indian Nation 5K: The Biloxi Public Schools will hold its fifth annual Indian Nation 5K and one-mile fun run on Saturday on the Biloxi Town Green. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. and includes music, bounce houses, face painting and breakfast served by culinary students. To download the registration form, click here.
