The city has directed its Oscar Renda Contracting, its infrastructure contractor, to increase the number of pumps to move water from east Biloxi roadways, many of which are unpaved and inundated by the three inches of rainfall that has fallen in Biloxi since 6 p.m. Sunday. And the forecast calls for more rain this evening.
“The contractor is working to remove as much water as possible from our roadways,” said Walt A. Rode, who oversees the infrastructure work for the city. “But this is an extraordinary rainfall event, and the weather forecast is that another front is coming through tonight. Our contractor will have crews continue their efforts to remove water, but we’re asking motorists and residents to please understand that some roads will have ponding. Please give yourself sufficient time and use alternate routes where possible.”
Oscar Renda is overseeing the $118 million infrastructure project in east Biloxi, which covers about 55 miles of roadway north of the CSX Railway between Keesler Air Force Base and Point Cadet.
Keesler’s weather office reports that 2.94 inches of rain has fallen on Biloxi since Sunday at 6 p.m ., with the heaviest amount received between 6 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. this morning.
See video from this afternoon
See the weather forecast
See the rainfall amounts, other information
City seeks full accounting of MGM Park figures
The City of Biloxi is asking a Harrison County Chancery Court for help in getting a clear accounting of revenue from operations at MGM Park, the two-year-old downtown stadium and entertainment venue.
Biloxi filed suit this morning asking a court to compel Biloxi Baseball, owners of the Biloxi Shuckers, and Overtime Sports, managers of the stadium, to provide documents showing attendance and advertising revenue figures. The city, under terms of the rental and management agreements, receives a share of that revenue.
“The city is in the early stages of a long-term lease with these businesses,” City Attorney Peter Abide said. “We need to be able to verify revenues and expenses so we can manage the agreements moving forward.”
See the lawsuit
The week that was: Construction, police and fire reports
The Community Development Department issued 44 permits with a total valuation of almost $800,000 last week. Meantime, the Biloxi Police Department reported 2,487 calls for service, generating 146 arrests, and the Biloxi Fire Department reported 130 calls for service, including 81 for medical and seven structure and vehicle fires.
See the complete weekly report
News and notes: The Christmastime edition
Children’s parade, Town Green: Haywagons, dancers and Christmas lights filled downtown Biloxi Friday evening when eventgoers celebrated the holidays with the Christmas on the Water Children’s Parade and Christmas on Town Green. To see images from the two events, click here.
Christmas in the City: Shoppers congregated in the Rue Magnolia arts district Saturday, seeking specialty items from a host of arts and crafts vendors while listening to Christmas music. It was all part of the city’s annual Christmas in the City fair. To see images from the festivities, click here.
Visitors Center open house: A throng of arts and crafts afficionados gathered Saturday at the Biloxi Visitors Center for the annual Biloxi Visitors Center Holiday Open House. To see images from the event, click here.
