Biloxi and the Coast

[mattdev]

Very exciting news, tom - The Coast desperately needs quality (I'm assuming at this point they both will be) developments like these to provide housing for those who are returning or relocating there - If I had my wish, developers would start in downtown Gulfport with a massive infill of office and residential space - Circumstances determine otherwise, though, and I'll just have to wait for downtown development later

[tombarnes]

River Hills and the Village

More on the River Hills and Village developments in Harrison County. These look like good projects. I'm pleased to see that at least someone is taking SmartCode seriously. It is also interesting to note that both developments are being built away from the Gulf. I hope this sort of development is a harbinger of the future.

The Sun Herald

Edited January 12, 2007 by tombarnes

[tombarnes]

NY Times Article on Oreck's Departure

The Oreck Co., makers of vacuum cleaners, has decided to pull up stakes and move its operations to a plant in Tennessee. While there are various reasons for the move, it would appear that the most compelling reason for the company was the expiration of their tax credits. The articls shesd some light on the difficulties faced by Coast employers. Note- The article may require signing in to the Times' website.

The New York Times

Edited January 15, 2007 by tombarnes

[TONYCLT]

Hello everyone I lived in Biloxi until right after Katrina hit then I moved to Charlotte just wanted to know how everyone is down there and if there is a rundown of all the projects in Gulfport/Biloxi area.

[tombarnes]

Welcome to Urban Planet Tony! I look forward to your contributions here. I'll try to get another thread going with a current list of projects. Once again, welcome to UP!

[tombarnes]

Edgewater Tower Vote Delayed Yet Again

The Biloxi City Council delayed its vote yet again this afternoon on whether or not to grant a 188 foot height variance to the Edgewater Tower condotel project. The council promises that a vote will be taken next week. This is getting ridiculous. On a design note, the rendering in the video shows a new glass top for the tower, one that does not add to the building's attractiveness. If I were on the council, I would be more concerned with the design of the tower than with its proposed height. Tune in next week for more details...

WLOX TV 13- video included

[tombarnes]

Depot Row, Bay St. Louis

Another commercial development in downtown Bay St. Louis is Depot Row, a row of five buildings to be constructed soon. The designs are in keeping with the New Urbanist principles espoused by the Governor's Commission and Duany Plater-Zyberk.

The Sun Herald

Edited January 17, 2007 by tombarnes

[tombarnes]

Palace Announces Casino Expansion

The Palace Casino has announced plans for a 20,000 sq. foot expansion of its casino. At least one new restaurant will be included in the expansion. Plans for a tower of suites are currently on hold, but may resurface in the future.

The Sun Herald

[johnwhite]

In the long-term (and short term) the ruling against State Farm this week is a major set back for us attempting to rebuild the coast. People on the coast seem to be excited that State Farm lost this case. I won't go into details, but State Farm does not have to write the coast or the State of Mississippi for that matter. They are a business and, like all businesses, they are deterring if the cost of doing business on the coast is too much of a risk. Awarding general damages is one thing, but the punitive are way out-of-line. Nation Wide does not write in our neighbor state of LA. Other companies are looking at this case. The insurance commissioner is well aware of this fact, but can't get any one to listen. WLOX thought this was great. The people that were smart enough to have flood insurance did great. My family has lived on the coast for over 100 years and you just have to know that there are eventually going to be huge hurricane that will flood everything.

[rachelstewart]

Tombarnes

I located a post (searching the web) that you made in Sept of '05 concerning the White House Hotel in Biloxi. I'm one of the last of the family that started the hotel in (approx) 1899. Mr. Love has been attempting to restore the hotel for some time, but due to 9/11 and Katrina I don't know if the project will ever be completed. My grandmother is 98 and was hoping to see the hotel completed, but I don't know if that will happen. She lived (during the summer) in our family home on Morrison Ave; across from the hotel. I was amazed that the old home survived the storm as well as the hotel. Even though most of the old homes have been taken by the sea, at least our coastal family history survives in many photos, letters and candy recipies (if your intrested, I'll explain). Take Care--

Has the status of the White House Hotel changed? Can anyone provide an update? The last posting was five months ago.

Many thanks.

[johnwhite]

Has the status of the White House Hotel changed? Can anyone provide an update? The last posting was five months ago.

Many thanks.

I don't know what they are planning to do with the hotel. The need for the hotel is there; the casinos had their best month to date in December. Mr. Love (as far as I know) needs some heavy investors to make the project work. At one time, he had hired a project manger from the City of Biloxi to head the rebuilding (coordination). I don't know if she is still at the helm.

[johnwhite]

My Grandmother died a few weeks ago. She really wanted to see the hotel put back together again.

[tombarnes]

I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. Any news on the status of the White House Hotel would be most appreciated. I saw the building (from the outside) on a visit in November. It appears to have fared well, at least in comparison to many of its neighbors. The point raised about insurance is a good one. This may well be one more reason why development on the Coast is so slow right now. I'm rather disgusted that Harrah's has chosen to sit on the fence instead of living up to its lavish promises. From all I have been told, the Grand Biloxi is anything but grand.

The White House is much too important to lose, especially after the demise of the Tivoli and the Broadwater. Please post if you have any news on the status of the building.

[tombarnes]

Royal D'Iberbville Casino-Hotel

Mark Seymour, a local developer/engineer has announced his intention to proceed with plans for a 14 story hotel/condo and casino in D'Iberville in western Harrison County. I/m hoping for more than the uninspired designs in the renderings. This looks like something which sat on a shelf for 20 years and just got unrolled for use. Regrettably, the town of D'Iberville is so strapped for cash that there is no apparent drive to demand something better.

The Sun Herald

Edited January 20, 2007 by tombarnes

[TONYCLT]

Before I left Biloxi I heard rumors that boomtown was going to get a hotel to keep up with the other casinos does anyone know if that is true?

[tombarnes]

I have also heard that Boomtown will be building a hotel. As for what size and quality that hotel will be, this remains to be seen. We may be hearing more about this in the coming months.

[tombarnes]

Edgewater Tower Approved at 29 Stories

The Biloxi City Council has approved the Edgewater Tower at 29 stores instead of 32. As noted in previous posts, I dislike the design. Earlier proposals showed a more finished tower, while the current design looks stumpy and unfinished. Maybe there will be changes? Image from the Sun Herald

Edited January 23, 2007 by tombarnes

[TONYCLT]

Is this project going on the edgewater mall site or someplace else?

[tombarnes]

It's going to be on land adjacent to the Edgewater Mall. In spite of all of the fuss being raised over its height, I don't think this will be detrimental to the area. The design is an area which could see improvement, but this may me a closed issue at this point.

[TONYCLT]

Is it on the side where Wendys used to be?

[tombarnes]

I'll have to go play with Google Earth. I'll see if I can come up with an answer for you. In the meantime, here's a clip from WLOX...

WLOX TV 13

Edited January 24, 2007 by tombarnes

[tombarnes]

Image from Google Earth

Edited January 24, 2007 by tombarnes

[TONYCLT]

The image didn't show up?

[tombarnes]

No. In any event, I think this is to the west of the mall. I can't remeber where the Wendy's was. Honestly, I think it's time they considered redeveloping Edgewater Mall itself.

[TONYCLT]

I don't mean to ask so many questions but it has been a while since I have been to Biloxi I just want to know whats going on down there. Do you know if they finished the condos by DeBuys Rd.?