Weekend preview: MGM Park, Point Cadet and fireworks

MGM Park, which will see the Shuckers face the Mississippi Braves this evening, hosts its inaugural Fourth of July Festival Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m., with a field of inflatables, food from The Shed, live music, and other entertainment. The day that will wrap up with viewing of the city fireworks, which will begin at 9 p.m. off a barge near Deer Island.

Visitors to the park – $5 admission, $10 for the activities – will also be able to view the city’s fireworks display Saturday at 9.

Among those scheduled to entertain at MGM Park are Eric Welford, The Starz Band, Della Memoria and Drew Goff.

Meantime, down at Point Cadet, you’ll find the inaugural Sea Creatures Festival, with various marine exhibitions, live entertainment, food and drinks. Admission is $5, but free to veterans, military, and state and federal employees. The festival opens today at 2 p.m. and continues throughout the day on Saturday, the Fourth of July.
See the entire weekend lineup

 

City Desk: Development, innovation and reducing legal costs

Cliff Kirkland, the city’s new development and innovation chief, discusses how the city’s new development team will approach its task in this week’s City Desk podcast. Also, Chief Administrative Officer David Nichols discusses the city’s efforts to reduce legal costs.
Listen to the program

 

Planning to examine issue of short-term rentals

By Jerry Creel, Community Development Director

This week in community development , the Biloxi Planning Commission voted unanimously to set a work shop to discuss issues and possible options concerning “Short-Term Rental”. Under the Land Development Ordinance, Short-Term Rental (less than 30 days) is allowed as a conditional use in the Downtown and Multi-Family zoned districts. However, it is prohibited in all single family zoned areas. Once the workshop is scheduled, the time and date will be publicized.

Also this week, the Development Review Committee (DRC) reviewed the plans for the connector road from Fayard Street to Anglada, and an addition to the New Life Church on Popp’s Ferry Road. Building plans were also received this week for 4 new single family houses.

At present, we have $100 million+ in commercial construction, and 80 new single family homes permitted and in progress. Our current construction valuation total for 2015 is $47.2 Million Dollars which is $14 Million ahead of last year at this time. Casino revenues are up $39.8 million and sales tax revenues are up $264K for the same period.

 

Tanglewood Park sees Powerful improvements

By Charlie Benton

Public Affairs Intern

Tanglewood Park in west Biloxi is looking better these days because of the work of a group of Mississippi Power workers.

The workers, who gathered at the park Wednesday morning, painted a free-throw line on the basketball court, painted the basketball goal red, pressure washed and painted playground equipment and refurbished a swing set. The park is located at 348 Park Drive.

The project was done as part of Mississippi Power Community Connection, an outreach and community service initiative of Mississippi Power.

“Our employees live and work on the Coast,” said Stephen Schruff, the Biloxi District Manager for Mississippi Power. “We look for opportunities to make the Coast a better place for citizens to raise their families.”

This project also is an example of Parks and Recreation Director Sherry Bell’s effort to make every park in Biloxi a neighborhood park, involving local groups in helping maintain and improve parks throughout the city.

“We’ve been working with Sherry Bell and Project Coordinator Randy Jenkins for some time now,” Schruff said. “Earlier this year, we did some work at Henry Beck Park. Sherry approached us about the Tanglewood Park project” Schruff said.

“We’re always looking for businesses or civic groups who want to make a difference in helping make their community a better place,” Bell said. “These efforts make a big difference.” Those interested may contact Bell at cbell@biloxi.ms.us or 228-388-7170.
See photos from Tanglewood Park project
Learn more about Biloxi Parks and Recreation