The City of Biloxi is moving forward this week with the process that could see more than 20 acres of land on Point Cadet re-zoned to make way for Margaritaville Phase II, a $140 million proposal that was announced during a City Council meeting a week ago.
The requested zoning change would involve 20 parcels of land, about 23 acres, situated between the Golden Nugget Casino Resort and the Harrah’s Great Lawn, as well as land on the north side of U.S. 90, between Harrah’s Casino Resort and St. Michael Catholic Church.
A public hearing to consider the zoning change will be Thursday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Municipal Building, 676 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich is requesting the zoning change as a key to meeting a need for more family entertainment projects on land that should be available at non-casino market values. The new zoning also would reflect a change in the character of the area since Margaritaville opened months ago.
The Barrington Group, developers of Margaritaville Phase II, estimate that the amusement park and hotel would attract more than a million new visitors a year, creating 700 new jobs and produce $2 million in new local and state sales taxes. Barrington already operates the White House Hotel, the current Margaritaville and has plans to transform the old Santa Maria retirement center in downtown into an all-suites hotel, with a restaurant and lounge.
Gilich said the Margaritaville proposal would give Biloxi a package that no other current or future gaming jurisdiction could match.
See a map of the proposed Point Cadet zoning change
See a public notice about the zoning change
See a letter from Mayor Gilich to the Secretary of State
See the background on Margaritaville II
See the complete Planning Commission agenda for this week
The week that was: Construction, fire and police reports
The Community Development Department issued 49 permits with a total valuation of nearly $600,000 last week. The week also a permanent certificate of occupancy issued for the Hyatt Place Hotel on Beach Boulevard. Meantime, the Biloxi Fire Department responded to 129 calls, including 89 medical emergencies and six fires, while the Biloxi Police Department reported 2,256 calls for service, generating 132 arrests for the week.
See the complete weekly report
News and notes
Catfish and kids: It’s called “fishing,” Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich says, because sometimes it’s more “fishing” than “catching.” Such was the case Saturday at the Hiller Park pond. To see photos and learn more about “Catfish for Kids,” click here.
Halloween at Woolmarket: There were costumes, candy and cut ups in general Friday night as the Woolmarket community ushered in the Halloween season. To see photos from the gathering, click here.
Developing news: Four projects, including the new Hilton Garden Inn, are on the agenda for Wednesday morning when the Development Review Committee meets. The DRC, of course, is a one-stop shop where multiple city departments review construction plans with developers to ensure an understanding of city building codes. To see the agenda for meeting, click here.
