Huge east Biloxi measures on agenda Tuesday

The Biloxi City Council is expected to approve the largest municipal public works project in the city’s history on Tuesday, a three-year, federally funded  $116.5 million infrastructure project that will see water, sewer and storm drain lines repaired or replaced in a large section of east Biloxi.

The so-called ”north contract,” which covers the area east of the I-110 and north of the CSX railway, is the largest project in the city’s $355 million infrastructure program, and the largest project ever undertaken by the city.

The project — which would be awarded to low-bidder Oscar Renda Contracting of Roanoke, Texas — is one of several east Biloxi measures on the agenda for the council’s 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday at City Hall. The agenda includes 26 measures in all.

The council also will meet at 5 p.m. to discuss measures that would approve the $2 million tax-increment financing of Fifth Street, the road leading into Margaritaville casino, and the extension of Back Bay Boulevard to meet with Pine Street, a state-funded $5 million endeavor that, when completed, would accomplish the long-discussed east Biloxi traffic loop of Caillavet Street, Back Bay Boulevard, Pine Street and U.S. 90.

Also on the agenda for the 6 p.m. meeting: a measure to approve final payment to Orocon Construction, contractor for the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor Bait and Fuel Dock. Public Works Director Dan Gaillet says Public Works crews have about three weeks of concrete work to complete.

Mayor A.J. Holloway is also asking the council to approve a $500 a month lease of office space at the port division building to Overtime Sports, the firm that will be a co-owner of the Biloxi Double-A baseball team and manager of MGM Park at Beau Rivage.

The agenda also includes five land-use measures, and the proposed purchase of radar units and in-car video systems for five police cars.
Read the agenda and supporting documents for the 6 p.m. meeting
Read the agenda for the 5 p.m. meeting

 
News and notes

Downtown streets update: The weeklong closure of Howard Avenue from Bohn to Caillavet that was scheduled to begin this morning will actually begin Tuesday morning at 10. The contractor was delayed today, according to project manager Yates Construction. Additionally, contractors are working to re-open Caillavet Street from Howard to Jackson at the outset of the Howard Avenue work. To see the latest on street improvement and infrastructure work throughout the city, click here.

Poster unveiling: The commemorative poster for the 85th annual Blessing of the Fleet and Shrimp Festival will be unveiled during a public ceremony Wednesday May 7th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Biloxi Visitor Center.  The festival itself takes place the first weekend of June. To read more about the event, click here.

 Last call: The committee staging the Fais Do-Do part of the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Shrimp Festival says that May 16 is the deadline for arts-and-crafts vendors to apply to take part in the affair. Applications for food vendors are no longer being accepted. The Fais Do-Do, a French term loosely translated as street dance, takes place Saturday, May 30, from 10 to 10 on the Town Green.  To see the rules and an application, click here.