The city issued a $5.8 million building permit to Community Bank last week, and time is not a wastin’: A construction trailer has been moved on the prominent downtown site at Lameuse and Howard, and construction fencing is going up.
“I would consider the bank ‘under construction’ at this point,” said Leslie Kelley, senior vice president for business development at Community. “And we’re looking at a November 2020 completion date.”
The bank’s new location, a block to the west of its current downtown Biloxi presence, is at the former site of the former federal courthouse, a two-story structure that had been vacant for several years and was noted for its unimpressive concrete facade and narrow windows.
Community Bank leaders, however, are embracing the design guidelines of the city’s Architectural Historical Review Committee and the new three-story structure, with its location on the “new” Howard Avenue and rooftop terraces, is expected to play a vital role in continuing the momentum of downtown re-development in Biloxi.
The new bank, about 5,000 square feet in all, will have about 25 employees and will be a full-service banking facility, offering lobby and drive-through teller banking, as well as lending, mortgage, wealth management, and executive offices. In addition to its two rooftop terraces, the bank also will host a Community Room.
The $5.8 million permit issued to Community Bank, notes Biloxi Community Development Director Jerry Creel, follows on the heels of a $6.5 million permit issued for a new amusement park and parking garage at Margaritaville, the Point Cadet family resort.
Added Creel: “The best development news in Biloxi right now is that “we are experiencing both commercial and residential development in all areas of Biloxi.
“In terms of construction, we’re seeing residential – single-family homes and multi-family residential developments – and a host of commercial construction, including retail, restaurant, banking, hotels, assisted living, gaming improvements and family entertainment.
“We are extremely excited to see such diverse development interest and activity throughout the City of Biloxi.”
See for yourself. Here’s a quick look:
Recently Completed
Hilton Garden Inn
Waffle House
Howard Avenue Improvements
New Treasure Bay Parking Lot
Beau Rivage Sports Book
Under Construction
Watermark Hotel (new name is “Hotel Legends”)
The Blake at Biloxi, assisted-living facility, Popp’s Ferry Road
Beach Vista Apartments (Behind Surf Style)
Brick & Spoon/Verizon Wireless/Kay Jewelers (recently completed)
Fritz Development Mixed-Use (recently completed)
Fire Station 7, Popp’s Ferry Road
Fire Station 10, Old Hwy 67
New Church on Old Hwy 67, Solid Rock Baptist Church
Old Walmart Conversion, now climate-controlled storage)
Knight Abbey Printing and Direct Mail, site of former Toys R Us, Edgewater Village
Camp David RV Park (57 lots), Cedar Lake Road
Gulf Beach RV Resort (adding 21 lots), Briarfield Avenue
Skyzone Trampoline Park
Margaritaville Amusement Park & Parking Garage
Barq Building on Keller
Boardwalk
New Keesler main entrance, at Division Street
Majestic Oaks Event Area
Community Bank
New Single Family Residences: 168 total
Under Review
Biloxi House (Old Margaritaville)
Bertucci Park, Popp’s Ferry & Atkinson
Funtime USA
Video: Demolition ceremony at former courthouse, April 24, 2018
Video: Groundbreaking for new bank, Sept. 5, 2019
So how’s the new Community going to fit in?
