State and local leaders gathered at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi this afternoon to announce that the Point Cadet resort has received state approval to move forward with its major expansion, which includes an amusement park and second hotel.
The Barrington Group, which originally announced the $140 million investment in 2016, has worked since that time to secure a Tidelands Lease from Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, who was at today’s announcement with Gov. Phil Bryant, and city and county leaders.
The project would involve a second, 300-room hotel tower on the property to the west of the current Margaritaville site, with a huge family attraction or amusement park in between.
No construciton timetable was announced, but when the project was originally announced in October 2016, before state approvals, developers had envisioned a construciton timetable of about 18 months.
Margaitaville Phase II would be constructed by the Barrington Group, which has established a track record in Biloxi. The firm built Bay Cove, a multi-million-dollar retirement and assisted living home on Back Bay, and restored the upscale White House Hotel before unveiling the family-oriented Margaritaville Resort to huge crowds in the summer of 2016.
The group is currently turning the former Santa Maria retirement home north of the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor into the Watermark, a 154-room, all-suites hotel, a $12 million investment that would also feature a restaurant specializing in fresh-caught seafood, and a lounge, while creating 70 permanent jobs.
See photos from today’s gathering
News & notes: MML, Fire Chief conference, Schooners sold out for July 4
Scenes from MML: The annual Mississippi Municipal League convention, taking place at the Coast Coliseum through Thursday with several educational programs and sessions and an expo, held its Parade of Flags and Opening General Session this morning. To see images from the event, including Biloxi Police Officer Wiggins carrying the City of Biloxi flag, click here.
Meanwhile in Montgomery: Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney is in Montgomery, Ala. representing Biloxi and the state at the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs annual conference. To see images of the chief at the conference, click here.
Sold out July 4 sail: The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum’s Biloxi Schooner trip scheduled for Wednesday, July 4 to watch fireworks in Biloxi is sold out. For more information about the Biloxi Schooners and the Museum, click here.
