Biloxi and the Coast

[tombarnes]

Chevron Invests $500m for New Production Unit

Chevron is investing $500m in a new gasoline production unit which will replace two aging units. This should prove to be good for the local economy. I had thought that they were going to invest something over $1b, but this figure may refer to future investments as well.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Biloxi Condo Market Pushes Forward Despite Sluggish Market

The demand for condos in Biloxi continues relatively unabated in spite of the downturn in most markets elsewhere. More buyers are considering living in their units instead of purchasing them in the hope of a quick turnover. The market may not be quite what it was before Katrina, but the absence of existing supply in the current housing market is helping several projects move forward. It is important to note that this growth will need to be closely matched to existing demand. Some developers, however, like the ones building the South Beach project, are putting their money on the anticipated demand for more condos. This may not be as risky as it would be in, say, south Florida, but it may not be without pitfalls. The market will be the ultimate judge here, as the city has demonstrated that it is uninterested in planned growth.

WLOX TV Channel 13- video included

[tombarnes]

Revelay to Break Ground

Ground will be broken for the Revelay condo/hotel before the end of the year. At least this is what representatives of Pensacola based Sterling Properties are claiming. I expect this property to do well because of its location next to the coliseum. The amenities planned for the project should also make it a popular non-gaming destination. Among other features, an elaborate "lazy river' pool is planned for the site.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

GCID to Build Crowne Plaza, Hilton Garden Inn

Two new hotels will be going up near Rodenberg Avenue, a Hilton Garden Inn and a Crowne Plaza, both of which should help fill a growing gap in the need for hotel rooms. As noted in the article below, most of the recent projects which have gained approval in Biloxi have been condominium or condo/hotel projects. The existing inventory of hotel rooms is still below pre-Katrina levels. I have yet to see a rendering of the buildings. but construction is slated for January.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Beauvoir Restoration Progress

The restoration of Beauvoir is proceeding nicely. Shutters are now being put in place and the gallery railings are also reappearing. It looks as though perhaps 75% of the work has been completed, though the outbuildings will also have to be rebuilt. Given the crushing loss of so much of the architectural legacy of the Coast, this restoration is especially important.

Beauvoir.org- photos of restoration

[tombarnes]

Biloxi in Running for Cyberspace Command

An effort is underway to place the new Air Force Cyberspace Command at Kesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. As the electronics training center is already at Keesler, it would make sense to place the command center here as well. If Biloxi is chosen, this would be an excellent feather in the city's cap and would virtually ensure the security of the base in the future. A decision should be made within the next few weeks.

Gulf Coast News

[tombarnes]

Gold Coast Resort/RW Development

RW Development of New Orleans, developers of the South Beach Resort currently under construction, have asked the City Councli for permission to redefine their definition of "waterfront" property on Veterans Avenue at US 90. This has been a commercial area for a long time, so I don't anticipate the virulent objection faced by the developers of the Tivoli site. The drawings are merely conceptual, but suggest something not entirely horrible might rise on the site. the buildings would be improved with defining architectural features- towers, domes...something to give them more presence. Otherwise, I can't tell much from the rather generic drawings.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Bay Village Rejected By Planning Commission

The plans for the Bay Village mixed-use condominium development were rejected by the Biloxi Planning Commission tonight. I haven't seen the drawings for the project, so I'm not sure whether or not I should be disappointed. Perhaps I'll be able to find out more. Will post when I do.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Convention Center Hotel Options

The announcement of a major hotel at the convention center may possibly be only a few weeks away. A "major national chain" is said to be interested in managing a 500+ room hotel which would be built on the southeast parking lot of the convention center. In order to do this, however, the convention center would have to be given the authority to lease the land to the developer. A pending biill in the state legislature is expected to pass in the near future. Another likely possibility is that the Revelay project will be redesigned to include a major hotel component. It's also quite possible that both of these options could be built.

WLOX TV Channel 13 News

[tombarnes]

Isle of Capri- Master Plan

The Isle of Capri is expected to announce its master plan for a major expansion of the nearly 800 room hotel and casino in the near future- probably within a month or so. Given its strategic location at Point Cadet, a major buildout here would increase the density of the heart of Biloxi's casino row. This might usher in traffic problems as well, but it will be of interest to see what they have up their sleeve. The article here isn't much more than a blurb, but we should be hearing more very soon.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Legislature Approves Hotel on Coliseum Site

The state legislature has approved a bill which would allow the convention authority to lease part of its land to a developer willing to build a convention hotel on the site. Governor Haley Barbour must sign this before the project can proceed to the next step. If this is signed soon, we may see several proposals in the near future.

The Sun Herald/Hotel-Online

[tombarnes]

Planning Commission Approves Gold Coast Site

The Biloxi Planning Commission has approved RW Development's plans for a casino/hotel/condo development. This, however, is not the last word. Approval must still be gained from the City Council and the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Assuming the project makes it through these hurdles, it should prove to be significant. The total expenditure projected for the project is $1.4 billion. This includes the South Beach condotel project now under construction. It appears that this project may not meet the opposition which doomed the Tivoli plans.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

White Pillars

The landmark White Pillars restaurant is scheduled to reopen after a long period of lying dormant. Damage from Katrina left serious questions about whether or not the building would be restored at all. I had not visited the restaurant while it was open, but have seen the inside. Getting this building repaired will be another sign of the rebirth of the coast.

WLOX Channel 13 News

More pictures from John Beers at Biloxihistory.org

Biloxihistory.org

[tombarnes]

Bayview Casino Hotel

Is it just my imagination, or is there a paucity of names for casinos on the Coast? Bayview is much too similar to the name for the Grand Casino here. Couldn't they have come up with something better? The building is ralatively tall, but the rendering does not suggest a building which would be a landmark in anything but mere height. Even there, it would pale in comparison to others on the Coast. It may seem ungrateful to some to carp about the architectural demerits of a place which will certainly add to the prosperity of the Coast as a whole. Complain, however, we must. If better buildings are not expected, they will not be built.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

New Arena on I-10?

The possibility of building a new arena to replace the Mississippi Coast Coliseum is being raised in earnest. The present building is over 30 years old and is being used more for conventions than for live events. Building a separate arena might make sense, but I'm not sure if building it on the interstate is the right solution. I'd still prefer to see something built which would offer synergy with the convention center. The article below mentions the specter of different hotel companies negotiating with the convention authority. Complete replacement of the existing building may indeed be needed, but planning for this is essential.

The Sun Herald

[tombarnes]

Wyndham Harbor Pointe

A non-gaming hotel has been proposed for the site of McElroy's restaurant at the Biloxi small craft harbor. The 24 story hotel would have 400 hotel rooms and a few condos on the top two floors. There may possibly be a timeshare cmpontent, but this has not yet been confirmed. The chances for this project appear to be greater than those of the previous condominium tower proposed for the site. There may possibly be a rendering by tomorrow. If so, I will post it here.

WLOX Channel 13 News

[tombarnes]

Curious Listing on BidClerk

"Demolition and new construction of a mixed-use development in Biloxi. Design plans call for the demolition of the current hotel and new construction of a 2,500 unit hotel/condominium building, 6,500 parking spaces, 100,000 square feet of casino space, five indoor and three outdoor restaurants, 100,000 square feet of retail shops, two swimming pools, a clubhouse and 175,000 square feet of meeting space.

A firm construction timeline has yet to be established. No further inquires are requested at this time."

The listing above would appear to fit with previous (if vague) plans for the Broadwater property. The Margaritaville project isn't nearly this large. I also do not think that the current plans for the South Beach project are of this scale either. This was listed for 4/11, but the notes say that the project will commence in February, 2009. If anyone has any idea about what this might be, please feel free to speculate.

[tombarnes]

First Phase of IP Expansion Opens

A new land-based section of the casino and an elaborate Asian restaurant have opened in the first phase of what is expected to be a much larger expansion project. The additions and renovations cost $55m, but there is discussion of additional convention space and another hotel tower. When these additions will be announced is another matter. Most casinos tend to keep their expansions close to the breast until they are ready to proceed. We may be hearing more in the next several months- or not.

The Sun Herald

[Jim856796]

About the Margaritaville resort project, they are currently renovating the old Casino Magic hotel tower, which has 378 rooms. And they are possibly going to build a 420-rom hotel tower of unknown height.

[tombarnes]

To the best of my knowledge, the 420 room hotel addition will be about seven or eight floors high. As you have noted, plans call for the total renovation of the former Casino Magic tower. The renderings released so far have been rather more atmospheric than specific on details. The ovewrall look is vaguely Floridian with metal roofing and lots of balconies, piers and open space surrounding a central pool area. I have seen very little which explains how (or if) the tower will be renovated to relate to the new buildings. The tower is rather plain and could use something to lend distinction to its bulk.

[Beukeboom]

Quick question: Any plans in the works to build a tourist t-shirt shop by the beach in Gulfport like the one in Biloxi?

[tombarnes]

If you are referring to the Shark's Head in Biloxi, it is being rebuilt. I have not heard of any immediate plans for anything similar in Gulfport. Gulfport's rebuilding has been hampered by the hanging cloud of the port issue as well as confusion and tension in City Hall. I am not sure whether or not such a shop would be in the best interest of Gulfport at the moment. Your thoughts?

[jeffconn]

If you are referring to the Shark's Head in Biloxi, it is being rebuilt. I have not heard of any immediate plans for anything similar in Gulfport. Gulfport's rebuilding has been hampered by the hanging cloud of the port issue as well as confusion and tension in City Hall. I am not sure whether or not such a shop would be in the best interest of Gulfport at the moment. Your thoughts?

There is now a tourist shop in Gulfport. Last week Surf Style opened a shop in Gulfport in a building that was supposed to be a little box chain pharmacy. Apparently the chain had second thoughts about opening across from the beach after the building was completed. As for whether a tourist shop is needed, the Surf Style in Biloxi does great business and has expanded their hours. Some of the tourists are back, and they need places to buy gaudy souvenirs.

[Beukeboom]

There is now a tourist shop in Gulfport. Last week Surf Style opened a shop in Gulfport in a building that was supposed to be a little box chain pharmacy. Apparently the chain had second thoughts about opening across from the beach after the building was completed. As for whether a tourist shop is needed, the Surf Style in Biloxi does great business and has expanded their hours. Some of the tourists are back, and they need places to buy gaudy souvenirs.

I was indeed referring to Surf Style (I couldn't remember the name offhand). I stopped by there when my wife and I were staying at her mother's home for a week. I wanted to pick up some t-shirts. I was wondering if Surf Style was planning on constructing a shop in Gulfport. Where is the Gulfport location? Near Courthouse or closer towards 49?

[tombarnes]

Isle Expansion

The delayed plans for an expansion of the Isle of Capri hotel and casino are back on track again after about a year of being shelved. Don't look for another room tower at this point, but the $160m expansion should bring a new land-based casino, new restaurants in the space where the casino currently operates and renovation of the south tower of guest rooms. This is expected to make the property more competitive with the new Margaritaville Casino which will open in 2010. There is additional land for more rooms, but the company will likely evaluate its business over the next couple of years before plunging ahead with more rooms. The effects of the current gas crisis have yet to be determined. My own take is that while the Coast may suffer to a certain extent, the long-term effects may actually help the Coast attract visitors within a certain radius.

The Sun-Herald