The Blake headlines bustling lineup of growth

Amid the talk of boardwalks and parks and fire stations, the city’s Community Development Department has issued what may be one of its largest building permits of the year: a $15.5 million permit for construction of an assisted living facility on Popp’s Ferry Road near Cedar Lake Road.

In fact, ground was broken Wednesday morning for The Blake at Biloxi, an upscale senior living and assisted living community that will feature 118 units and amenities you would typically find at a premier resort: concierge service, fine dining, a coffee and ice cream shop, theater, a spa and salon and 24-hour nurse staff. Developers said The Blake will be a $25 million investment.

“We take care of the details, so our residents can enjoy the finer things in life,” says Glenn Barclay, Quality Senior Living principal and co-founder of Blake Management Group. “We saw an opportunity to meet Harrison County’s need for a new hospitality and wellness-centered continuing care retirement community, providing residents the ability to age in place knowing the care will be there when they need it.”

Among the other amenities at The Blake will have social programs, a piano bar and lounge, on-site therapy services, a chapel, a theater room, activity rooms, landscaped courtyards with an outdoor fire pavilion, fountains and raised gardens, a library, fitness center, transportation, and on-site parking.

Pricing will be based on service needs and apartment selection; however, the high-end community will be affordable and competitive with other options in the area, Blake leaders said.

The Blake’s $15.5 million building permit was the centerpiece of a $20.5 million week for the Community Development Department.

Said Community Development Director Jerry Creel: “We are continuing to experience developmental growth in every area of Biloxi, from the new Salt Grass Restaurant at Point Cadet, to the new Hilton Garden Inn, the Watermark Hotel, and the improvements to Howard Avenue in the downtown area, and in west Biloxi with the new Premier eight-plex theater, and the Sky Zone Trampoline Park at Edgewater Mall.”

And, Creel added, more major development is on the way, with Phase 2 of the Margaritaville resort, construction of the Funtime USA amusement park, and a major expansion at Treasure Bay Casino Resort.

New home construction continues to flourish as well. There are 138 houses currently under construction in 23 separate residential subdivisions, predominately in north Biloxi.
Gallery: See The Blake at Biloxi and other development
See the website for The Blake

 

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Shuckers: The Biloxi Shuckers host the Pensacola Blue Wahoos this afternoon at MGM Park. Gates open at 5:30 and first pitch is at 6:35 p.m. It’s also Double Play Thursday, with a host of $2 specials. To visit the Shuckers website, click here.

City Desk: Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney discusses the new turnout gear arriving soon for Biloxi firefighters in this week’s City Desk podcast. During the program, which was recorded at City Hall this morning, the chief also updates progress on two new fire stations and the city’s months-old fire boat. To listen to the program, click here.