Public Works crews aim to complete street work by parade time

Biloxi Public Works crews are racing to have a major drainage repair project on the parade route completed before Tuesday, Mardi Gras Day.

The work, which involves repairing a storm drain junction box seven feet below the ground, is at Thomas Street and Howard Avenue, between Hancock Bank and Nativity BVM Cathedral, where parade-goers will gather for parades by Gulf Coast Carnival Association and Neptune on Tuesday.

“We had two old manholes that were collapsed, and a storm drain that collapsed, so we had to get in there and get this done,” said Public Works Director Richard Sullivan. Work began several days ago and Sullivan hopes to have the repairs completed and the road surface paved on Monday.

The project has presented its share of challenges for Public Works crews. “There are five or six different storm drain lines that feed into that box, with some of them as large as 24 inches,” Sullivan said. “We had a water main in the way, a telephone junction box was nearby, and we also discovered old trolley track ties, which turned to dust when you touched them.”

Pumps at the site kept overnight rain from gathering at the work site.

Sullivan said similar work will have to be done on Thomas Street south of Howard Avenue after Mardi Gras.

To see photos of the site, click here.

Hundreds expected for children’s walking parade on Monday

It’s not too late for you and your family to take part in the annual Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade, which makes it way through downtown Biloxi on Monday.

As many as 300 children are expected to be a part of the parade, which will be a procession of bicycles, skaters, scooters and wagons that will travel Lameuse Street, from MLK Boulevard to the Town Green, beginning at 11 on Monday morning.

Those interested — ages 12 and younger are invited – can either register now online or register in the parking lot immediately north of the Saenger Theater on Saturday morning at 10. Spectators are encouraged to line the parade route on Lameuse Street, where bleachers normally for parade sponsors will be open to the public.

Participants are encouraged to create costumes and decorations following the theme of “Off to the Races.” Costumes and floats will be judged in a ceremony on the Town Green.

The parade is sponsored by the city, the Mardi Gras Museum and the Gulf Coast Carnival Association.

To learn more about the parade and to fill out and submit an online registration form, click here.

Get your team ready for the ‘Great American Clean Up’

The city is seeking volunteers – individuals, families, businesses, civic groups or other teams — to participate in the “Great American Clean Up Biloxi!” planned for the week of April 16-21.

The project is being conducted in conjunction with the Great American Clean-up and Earth Day, and will be highlighted by a citywide cleanup on Saturday, April 21.

“Let’s make Biloxi litter-free and get healthy and active at the same time,” said city staffer Kay Miller, who is helping organize the event. “What we’re asking people to do is sign up online, and we’ll provide the trash bags and the gloves so you can participate in the citywide clean up on that Saturday, April 21.”

To see the sign-up form, which can be completed and submitted online,
click here.