Biloxi and the Coast

[tombarnes]

Emeril's New Orleans Fish House to Open Friday

Emeril Lagasse, whose ( mostly) eponymous restauramts stretch from New Orleans to Las Vegas to Florida, will be opening a branch in Gulfport's Island View Casino and Hotel on Friday. Lagasse has said that he had to be presuaded by Rick Carter to open the restaurant, as he liked to visit the Coast to get away from work. The showers of golden casino dollars may have been the lure to get him here, but I think the place should be a big success. Just as in NEw ORleans to the west, people on the Coast have an appreciation for good food and pleasant surroundings. Emeril may have built an empire, but it is still founded on the principle of good, solid cooking.

The Sun Herald

[TONYCLT]

Its been a while since I have been to the coast where is the Island view casino?

[tombarnes]

The Island View Casino and Hotel occupies the former site of the Grand Casino in Gulfport. The Oasis Hotel has been renovated and expanded in the new venture. The former hotel tower (the original hotel) wil be renovated into suites. The casino is owned by Rick Carter, who used to own the Copa Casino in Gulfport. This is a much more elaborate casino venture than the tired old boat (and the later tired old barge) and shows much promise.

[Beukeboom]

Just a clarification, when I was referring to the Edgewater Shopping Center, I meant the strip mall across the parking lot & road from the Edgewater Mall. What's the progress on that shopping center and are there any signs put up indicating any specific businesses returning there?

[tombarnes]

I'm not quite sure. If you mean to the west of the mall, I think that's where the new Edgewater Tower condominium hotel is planned. If it's across the street on the beach side, I have no idea. Good question.

[tombarnes]

City Council Approves Two Projects

The City Council has approved a request by the Boomtown Casino for an expansion of their casino and parking areas. The incorporation of a playground was apparently enough to sway the council members to vote in favor of this project. Unfortunately, I still don't know what this expansion wil really amount to, though there has been talk of the addition of a hotel. Given the nature of this casino, I'm not holding my breath for anything good to come out of this. Boomtown is a cheap casino with perhaps the ugliest building on the Mississippi coast. Wholesale demolition would be a better option.

Approval was also granted to RW Development to proceed with their plans for the South Beach condominium/hotel project. This one is considerably more attractive than Boomtown and won't be detrimental to the neighborhood.

WLOX Channel 13 News

[tombarnes]

Coliseum Expansion Under Construction

The Yates Company has been awarded the constract for the expansion of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. The new expansion will bring the Coast within striking distance of the 600.000 square feet of meeting space needed to compete. Quite honestly, I am not sue of this will be enough. While the rendering looks nice, I still wonder if the Coast should not have pursued a completely new complex instead of incorporating the existing Coliseum. I suppose that $$$ are the primary reason.

The Sun Herald

[Beukeboom]

The Yates Company has been awarded the constract for the expansion of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. The new expansion will bring the Coast within striking distance of the 600.000 square feet of meeting space needed to compete. Quite honestly, I am not sue of this will be enough. While the rendering looks nice, I still wonder if the Coast should not have pursued a completely new complex instead of incorporating the existing Coliseum. I suppose that $$$ are the primary reason.

Frankly, the Coliseum is quite tiny compared to other places I have seen. They need to increase the seating capacity by at least 25% IMHO.

[tombarnes]

South Beach Developers Announce Additional Project

A second phase of the South Beach Condominium project is to include 350 condominium units. The development will give an urban feeling to a previously neglected area.

The Sun Herald

[Beukeboom]

I saw a pic online somewhere of construction of one of the beach t-shirt shops. This was a month or so ago. Anyone up to date on their progress? When they complete it and are open for business I'm going to ask my mother-in-law to pick up a couple of shirts for me.

[tombarnes]

It would not have been a surprise to me if they had decided to do so. It seems, however, that the existing shell of the tower will be incorporated into the Margaritaville Casino planned for the site. The tower has been stripped bare and will be a blank slate for the developers. I'd expect to see it re-clad in the same faux Key West style as the rest of the buildings planned for the site. If it does not, for some reason, fit into the new plans, it could easily go the way of the original hotel on the rest of the site. Casinos are rarely sentimental about bricks and mortar (or Tyvek and dryvit?).

Edited July 27, 2007 by tombarnes

[tombarnes]

Harrison County Beaches to be Restored

The beaches of Harrison County will be restored to their appearance before Katrina, or that's the plan being adopted by the county. I'd hope to see them return a bit better than they were before the storm, but we shall see how long the improvement lasts. As has been mentioned in another thread here, the outflow of debris- oil and otherwise, may make it impossible for Biloxi's beaches to be terribly alluring.

The Sun Herald

[richyb83]

Great job with the Mississippi forum Tom! It's ashame the beaches were not in better condition pre-Katrina; sounds like alot of work ahead. Hopefully Hurricane season remains quiet.

[tombarnes]

Work to Begin Soon on Convention Center Expansion

Work should begin soon on the expansion of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. I hope the expansion will be enough to meet the possible demand for space, but there might be room for additional expansion if it is needed.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

East Biloxi Overlay District Proposed

An overlay district for the east Biloxi area where major casino and condo/hotel development is likely may usher in a field of towers. The proposed cap is 330 feet, a bit lower than the 365 feet already approved for the Vue Crescente on Back Bay. As noted in the article, the clash of competing visions for the city has not helped matters at all. It would be realistic to assume that there will be a dense district of high-rise properties built in Biloxi, however much many residents might not want to believe this will happen. As long as the designs are carefully planned and executed, this should not spell doom for Biloxi. If done correctly, it should be a godsend to a city still struggling with its finances in the wake of Katrina.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Overview of Casino Plans on the Coast

The Sun Herald ran an article today which provides a brief overview of projects on the Coast. One of the more interesting bits of news was the possibility of a boardwalk (possibly similar to the one in Shreveport) as part of the planned third phase of the Island View Casino. The Broadwater property in Biloxi remains dormant, but the spokesman for the group controlling the property says that investors are being actively sought. I have yet to see the plans for the Bayview hotel near the Boomtown Casino, but I'm not exactly holding my breath for anything too spectacular. Site work continues for the Bacaran Bay casino resort in Biloxi's Back Bay.

While there is significant development planned for D'Iberville, other areas outside of Biloxi andf Gulfport continue to have trouble finding investors. Part of this is due to the sites being less than desirable, or even possible. but it's also a result of these other communities not embracing the casino busines in the way the Biloxi has done. It would be better for the Coast if casinos do not turn up in every back yard. Develoopment must be harnessed in such a way that the casino business is an asset to the region. If there are too many casinos- especially cheap ones- flung across the Coast like a cheap necklace, this will only harm further development.

The Sun Herald

Edited August 20, 2007 by tombarnes

[Beukeboom]

East Biloxi Overlay District Proposed

An overlay district for the east Biloxi area where major casino and condo/hotel development is likely may usher in a field of towers. The proposed cap is 330 feet, a bit lower than the 365 feet already approved for the Vue Crescente on Back Bay. As noted in the article, the clash of competing visions for the city has not helped matters at all. It would be realistic to assume that there will be a dense district of high-rise properties built in Biloxi, however much many residents might not want to believe this will happen. As long as the designs are carefully planned and executed, this should not spell doom for Biloxi. If done correctly, it should be a godsend to a city still struggling with its finances in the wake of Katrina.

The Sun Herald

Building them is one thing. Filling them is quite another.

[tombarnes]

You have a point, but I think that filling them should not be a problem if transportation and meeting venue issues are handled correctly. The Coast could grow into a major convention destination if they handle the infrastructure to accommodate additional visitors properly. There is enormous potential on the Coast for growth. Whether or not it will be managed well is another matter.

[wellington]

I just came back from Biloxi (first time). Tom -- I agree with your comments about building cheap casinos everywhere. Biloxi should definitely go for quality over quantity, but there has to be a solid plan in place. Does anyone think Biloxi has the potential to become a mini-Las Vegas? There's definitely a lot of appeal to the area with beaches, great food, etc.

[tombarnes]

If Biloxi plays its cards right, it should indeed become a smaller Las Vegas. They key is in smart planning and building properly for the area. From what I have seen of the new Margaritaville Casino, the planners have got something right. The Tivoli project may not see the light of day because of the many issues facing it in the legislature. Also, the Tivoli project is large- without being particularly distinctive. Creating projects which enhance a sense of place will be the answer for Biloxi. Mere size alone won't guarantee success, but those who think that large projects will be detrimental to the future of the Coast need to have a reality check. The Coast will never be as it once was, however painful that may be to many residents. The answer lies in planning, planning and more planning.

[tombarnes]

IP Hotel & Casino Receives 4 Diamond Award from the AAA

The former Imperial Palace, now re-branded as the IP Hotel & Casino, has received the 4 Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association. While this is not quite the same as receiving 4 stars from the Mobil guide, it is still a remarkable achievement for a property which was devastated by Katrina. The property recently closed its theaters and plans to replace them with an Asian restaurant and more meeting and gaming space.

RGT Online News

[tombarnes]

Isle Mulls Expansion Plans

The Isle of Capri is mulling over its expansion plans for its property in Biloxi and the planned Pine Hills Casino in western Harrison County. Given the highly competitive environment emerging on the Coast, it's just possible that they may produce an expansion which might reposition the company in a higher tier of the market. At present, they are dead in the middle, but expansions and renovations elsewhere could push it into a downward spiral. It should be interesting to see what they may build.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Vieux Crescente Casino?

The planned Vieux Crescente will have a casino in addition to its two towers of condominium/hotel units. I'm surprised that this has apparently slipped through without difficulty, though a casino in this location wouldn't have much of an impact upon the neighborhood. This is mostly because there isn't a neighborhood in the area anymore. This fits into the corridor of development planned for Caillavet Street by the City.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

D'Iberville Casinos on Track

The growing city of D'Iberville will soon have two casinos if plans proceed accordingly. The Royal D'Iberville will havbe about 400 rooms, several restaurants, meeting space and a "French Market" area as well. Pete Simon, a developer from Nevada, also plans a $250m casino which will be adjacent to the Royal D'Iberville. I'm worried that the plans for these developments seem sketchy at this point, but we may soon be seeing better visualizations of these projects before they get too far along.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

South Beach Approved for 1000 Units

Approval has been granted for 350 hotel and 650 condotel units at South Beach near the coliseum. The hotel will serve the coliseum directly while the condotel units will serve the convention and longer term stay markets. While the condotel market in general is down, I think this may be successful. The general lack of housing on the Coast may force a readjustment of expectations from these developers, but one never quite knows what will happen. Will the Coast look like Miami in ten years? Empty condos everywhere? One wonders....

The Sun-Herald