Temporary fencing has been erected on west beach in the area of Sharkheads and restaurant row, signalling the beginning of construction for the new West Biloxi Festival Boardwalk.
The new boardwalk, a city-county project using more than a million dollars in Tidelands funds, will be more than 3,000 feet long and 10-feet wide and run along the beachfront, connecting the Coast Transit Authority Comfort Station near Rodenberg Avenue toVeterans Avenue. The second phase will run from Veterans Avenue to Camellia Street, at Treasure Bay.
“I’m excited to see this vision become a reality,” Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said. “The boardwalk will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of our most important assets, our waterfront, and we’ll be creating a synergy between the restaurants and other attractions on West Beach.”
Contractors with CM Combs on Monday began installing fencing along the beach and pilings will soon be delivered for the first phase of the 175-day project, weather permitting.
“The 10-foot wide composite deck walkway will be elevated, on average, about two feet above the sand beach with a few concrete ramps at the existing grade of the sand beach for crossings by the County Sand Beach equipment,” Biloxi engineer Ed Ott said. “There will also be LED lighting placed at the south side of the boardwalk.”
This project is part of the mayor’s vision to have a contiguous boardwalk along the Biloxi waterfront.
Photos: See images of the fencing
City recognizes employees for longevity
Biloxi Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard on Tuesday recognized 17 employees for their years of service during a longevity awards presentation.
25 years of service: Gwen Johnson, Parks & Recreation Department; and Craig Upton, Public Works Department
20 years of service: Richard Allen and Wayne Miller, Police Department
15 years of service: Douglas Korbe, David Lemasters, Clifford Sigman, and Jerry Worzella, Fire Department; Kenneth Garner and Jason Gruich, Police Department; and James Boyette, Public Works Department
10 years of service: Ed Ott, Engineering Department; and Raymond Akins, Matthew Dedual, Reuben Sabio, and Michael Warren, Police Department
5 years of service:Stephanie McVeay, Police Department
The longevity awards are presented quarterly at a Biloxi City Council meeting.
Gallery: Photos from Jan. 23 City Council meeting
News & notes: Weekend preview, podcast, film premiere, & white house visit
Weekend preview: The Biloxi Parks & Recreation Department holds registration for its baseball and softball leagues, the Gulf Coast Carnival Association hosts its sixth annual Run for Beads in downtown Biloxi and the Casino Bridge Run will take place over the Biloxi Bay Bridge. Over at the casinos, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas will be at the Beau Rivage, Seether-Poison: The Parish Tour will be at the Hard Rock and Creedance Clearwater Revisited plays the IP. To see the complete weekend lineup click here. To see the Community Calendar, click here.
City Desk podcast: Tune into this week’s City Desk podcast and you hear the inside story on Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich’s State of the City presentation, which will be delivered during a Tuesday luncheon at the Beau Rivage and shown Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on Cable One in Biloxi. To listen to the City Desk podcast, which was recorded Thursday at Biloxi City Hall, click here.
Biloxi film premiere: The city premiered its newest 11-minute film, highlighting moments and events in Biloxi and Mississippi Gulf Coast history, on Tuesday evening at the Biloxi Visitors Center. To see images from the event and to find a link to the film short, click here.
Washington visit: Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich was among a group of Mississippi mayors that visited the White House this week for a discussion with President Donald Trump on infrastructure. To see images from the visit, courtesy of Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes, click here.