Biloxi swept a doubleheader this evening, Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said after the City Council approved measures to move forward with two roadways of the future.
The council voted to support an agreement that would see a $22 million boulevard at Pine Street to connect Point Cadet to Back Bay Boulevard, with more than half of the funding provided by outside sources. And councilmembers voted to support an initiative where Biloxi and Gulfport would form a cooperative to help deliver affordable and universal ultra-high-speed internet to all residents and businesses. Gulfport councilmembers approved a similar internet measure earlier in the day.
Kicking off the two-hour meeting this evening at Biloxi City Hall, members of the City Council got a preview of Biloxi’s next proposed casino resort, a 37-acre project that will represent one of the largest resort areas in the city and a development that sponsors hope will bring 2,000 jobs to east Biloxi.
The project would be tied to the proposed east Biloxi “Pine Street extension,” which would see a four-lane boulevard built from U.S. 90 to Back Bay Boulevard.
Developer Chris Ferrara, who has already invested $13 million into the Biloxi Boardwalk Marina operation, said the proposed $260 million Biloxi  Pointe Casino Resort will feature a 497-room hotel, 70,000-square-feet of meeting and convention space, 50,000-square feet of gaming, a spa and fitness center, a pool surrounded by a 15,000-square-foot deck, and 10,000-square-foot bowling and shuffle board area.
When completed, the 781,000 square-foot full service destination resort will offer six dining options, including a 250-seat buffet, a 100-seat fine dining restaurant, a sports bar-restaurant and a 135-seat, 24-hour café.
“This was a great night for Biloxi,” Gilich said. “We have taken the first steps on two projects that offer extraordinary economic development opportunities for Biloxi. This ultra-high-speed internet creates a huge amount of potential for us on so many levels, and to have a developer putting up money and land is a huge statement about the confidence in this market.”
See the presentation on Biloxi Pointe Casino Resort
See photos from tonight’s meeting
News and notes
Block party: Several streets in downtown Biloxi will be partially closed Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accommodate the Cruisin’ the Coast Downtown Biloxi Block Party. Hundreds of cars will be on display and thousands of auto enthusiasts are expected. To see a map and the entertainment lineup, click here.
Flo Rida coming to MGM Park: Tickets go on sale Wednesday for a Nov. 6 MGM Park concert headlined by pop and hip hop music icon Flo Rida. Tickets for the entertainer’s 2015 GDFR (“Goin’ Down For Real”) World Tour start at $25 and will be available at the MGM Park box office and through Ticketmaster. For more on the show, click here.
Cruisin’ at MGM Park: To see photos from today’s Cruisin’ the Coast event in and around MGM Park, click here.
