Weekend preview: Community theater and more

It’s a big weekend for community theater, with three productions on tap:  “Monty Python’s Spamalot” opens this evening at the Saenger Theater in downtown Biloxi, and you’ll find “Play On” at Biloxi Little Theater and “How to Success in Business Without Really Trying” at Center Stage.

Meantime, look for Mickey Gilley at  IP,  “Saltoriya” at the Beau Rivage and impressionist Gordie Brown at the Golden Nugget.

See the complete weekend lineup

 

Development report: Casinos, fireworks stands and more

By Jerry Creel, Community Development Director

This week in economic development, the city council heard the appeal arguments for the closing of the northern end of Fayard and Anglada Streets. IP Casino Resort had filed an application for the vacation of these streets in order to construct a permanent parking lot. The city council voted to remand the issue back to the planning commission for further review and recommendations. The city council also conducted the first reading of the applications filed by Treasure Bay Casino Resort for a change to their Master Plan, and for zoning change approval for a newly acquired property on the west side to construct an additional parking lot.

In other news, the Biloxi Planning Commission voted yesterday to recommend conditional use approval for the first two fireworks stands for the 2014 Christmas Holiday Season. One will be located at the corner of Popp’s Ferry and Cedar Lake Roads. The other will be located north of I-10 on Parker’s Creek Road. The recommendations will now go to the city council for final consideration. If approved the stands would be allowed to open December 15-January 2. The planning commission also voted to recommend approval of an application for conditional use for short term rental for a townhome located at 133 Reynoir Street. This action will also require city council approval.

On Wednesday, the Development Review Committee reviewed an application and site plan for a six story, 114 room Hyatt Hotel to be located at 1152 Beach Boulevard. Site plans were also reviewed for a new retail center to be located on Popp’s Ferry Road.

 

Tickets now on sale for Camille remembrance

Longtime south Mississippi residents will have a chance to rekindle memories of the original monster storm when the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art and City of Biloxi present “Camille: The 45th Anniversary Remembrance,” on Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Saenger Theater.

The presentation, which begins at 2 p.m., will feature a ’70s documentary about the Category 5 hurricane, and a storm-preparation message from Mayor A.J. Holloway that originally aired on Aug. 17, 2005, a mere 12 days before another storm, Katrina, decimated the coastline.

The highlight of the afternoon is expected to be a never-before-seen interview with Daniel D. Guice Sr., mayor of Biloxi when Camille struck.

Tickets for the event are $10 each and can be purchased at the Biloxi Visitors Center or the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.
See photos from Camille, and share your Camille story and read others, on Facebook

News and notes

Baseball and hurricanes: David Nichols updates a number of issues – baseball, tax abatements and more – and MSgt. Brian Lamar of the Hurricane Hunters visits in this week’s City Desk webcast. To listen to the program, click here.

Baseball and more: The next phase of construction of MGM Park at Beau Rivage and a host of land-use issues are on the agenda for Tuesday’s City Council meeting. To see the agenda and supporting documents, click here.

Seafood ambassadors: The Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, heading to its August opening, is looking for hospitality ambassadors to volunteer time to help with museum operations. If you’re interested, a meeting is coming up next week. For details on the ambassador program, click here.

No DRC: The Development Review Committee, a multi-departmental group that reviews new construction in Biloxi, is not scheduled to meet next week.