Biloxi Capital, a firm involving Coast developer Danny Conwill, today published its Notice of Intent to apply for gaming site approval for a 30-acre tract of land in East Biloxi that it purchased in 2005-2006 for more than $40 million. In 2007, the city designated this beachfront property on U.S. 90 as zoned for gaming.
The site has remained undeveloped since acquisition but now Conwill and his partners envision investing hundreds of millions to construct a major casino resort at the site where the Tivoli Hotel once stood. The overall site is bordered by Holley Street on the west, Biloxi Yacht Club on the east, Howard Avenue on the north, and the Mississippi Sound on the south.
The public notice in today’s The Coastal Breeze (formerly the Biloxi-D’Iberville Press) states: “The Applicant anticipates that the establishment will contain approximately 100,000 square feet of gaming space and approximately 2,000 slot machines and 75 table games. The project will include approximately 1,300 hotel rooms; 100,000 square feet of convention space and other amenities as approved by the Mississippi Gaming Commission.”
Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said this site “is in the very heart of the East Biloxi waterfront area where the city has focused its development efforts. The project as proposed, will complement many of the initiatives on which we have been working.”
Added Councilman Felix Gines, who, with Councilman George Lawrence, represents East Biloxi: “A development of this nature in East Biloxi will only help stimulate other much needed developments such as housing and retail growth. There isn’t a better location in Biloxi to help stimulate and kick start growth in the area.”
Gilich also acknowledged that Biloxi and the Coast have seen dozens of casino projects pitched over the years. Key to this development, the mayor said, would be the Mississippi Gaming Commission formally approving the site as suitable for gaming.
Upon approval, the developer will move forward with design and permitting the major resort development that would be expected to drive thousands of new jobs and millions in additional revenue to state and local governments, and Biloxi Public Schools.
Conwill grew up on the Coast and has a family home in Pass Christian. In addition to this major economic development opportunity, he also acquired Felix’s Oyster House of New Orleans and expanded the restaurant brand to Gulfport.
See the text of the legal notice
