The city is taking bids on the demolition and removal of nine properties on the west end of Division Street to make way for the new development corridor that will serve as the gateway to Keesler’s new main entrance.
“There’s no doubt this new Keesler main entrance is necessary for many reasons,” Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said, “but it’s also creating an economic development corridor, and in several months it’s going to change the entire streetscape on Division between I-110 and Forrest. I’m sure you’re going to see a number of longtime Division Street businesses at new places this year.”
Among the sites now owned by the city and scheduled for demolition are Gary’s Appliance, Cap Engine Builders, DJ’s Convenience Store, and West End Veterinary Services. Four houses also are included in the bids for demolition.
The city also believes that houses at 962 Division and 997 Division could be purchased and moved.
Bids will be opened Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 4 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall.
The work is part of creating an economic development corridor on Division between I-110 and the new Keesler entrance being constructed at the west end of Division, at Forrest Avenue.
“Division Street from Forrest to I-110 is going to be a divided four-lane boulevard, with underground utilities,” Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said at the State of the City address last week. “Keesler’s plan is to begin using the gate after the commercial check point has been constructed by the end of 2021, and the gate will be fully operational in 2022, when the visitors center will be completed.”
The $37-million, city, state and federal undertaking also will bring Keesler up to post-911 security standards by replacing the White Avenue gate. In all, $6 million in property is being acquired between Forrest Avenue and I-110.
See a map of the properties
Video: See the mayor’s comments on Division Street corridor
See the bid package for demolition (17 MB)
See the bid package for house removal (4 MB)
News & notes: Edmond, ‘City Within a City,’ Tet
Edmond Boudreaux, Part 1: The family of the late Edmond Boudreaux, noted local historian, was on hand Tuesday night to see the city name a Point Cadet boardwalk in his memory and Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich declared Feb. 13, 2020, the upcoming anniversary of the founding of Biloxi, as Edmond Boudreaux Day. See a gallery of photos from Tuesday night by clicking here. To see a replay of the entire council meeting, click here.
Edmond Boudreaux, Part 2: August Taconi, noted videographer of All Things Biloxi, has assembled a Best of Edmond Boudreaux video short, highlighting a number of Edmond’s appearances at the annual Old Biloxi Cemetery Tour. “Edmond Boudreaux: Living History,” a 44-minute compilation, airs daily at 2:05 p.m. on BTV in February, or you can see it now on YouTube by clicking here.
City within a City: The new version of the “City Within a City,” the 2013 documentary about the Civil Rights era in Biloxi, has attracted more than 700 views since it was posted five days ago. To see the 17-minute video for yourself, click here.
Tet: Biloxi’s Vietnamese community celebrated the Vietnamese New Year the other day at Lee’s International Market on Division Street and the Buddhist Temple on Oak Street. Learn the history of the colorful celebration and see it firsthand in a new film short on the city’s YouTube page. To see the 20-minute video, click here.
