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A compendium of what’s happening in BiloxiAUGUST 2018 JUNE 2018

A compendium of what’s happening in Biloxi Giddy up! Development firing on all cylinders at the moment You’ve seen the two big announcements – major expansions at Margaritaville and Treasure Bay – and, as significant as they are, they’re just a fraction of development in Biloxi. u See the details on development, Page 2

Biloxi now has $70 million in commercial Steakhouse continues construction, while Storm season may see above-average number of storms and residential construction underway. remember that hurricane forecasting is not or ready to receive building permits,” said in west Biloxi, at Edgewater Mall, a new $7

The early predictions are in: A total of 14 Inside: How to prepare, Pages 9-11 an exact science,” said Gilich who was born “As one new business begins construction Biloxi Community Development Director Jerry million movie theater is being built, along with or opens its doors, we work to make sure named storms, seven hurricanes with three a month after the Hurricane of ‘47. “We are Creel. “It’s important to keep things moving.” an indoor trampoline park inside the mall itself. Online: Storm & Flood info at biloxi.ms.us that we have other projects working their major hurricanes expected for the 2018 asking our residents to prepare not only for Currently, two hotels, accounting for 238 And, of course, further west, plans are in the storms but for the everyday risk they face way through the process, either under review rooms, are under construction on U.S. 90 and hurricane season, but Mayor Andrew “FoFo” actually struck Biloxi and the works for Funtime USA amusement park. from flooding. a third, for 66 rooms, has its building permit. Gilich reminds Biloxians of an important fact: Gulf Coast. “We also see significant growth in residential “There are plans that you can make now and In east Biloxi, the $3.3 million Salt Grass It only takes one. Hurricane season begins June 1 and subdivisions,” Creel said. “There are 25 The 2018 predictions, made annuallyINSIDE: HOW SAFE IS YOUR DRINKING WATER? – STORMsteps & FLOOD that you INFO can take now so that you protect subdivisions under development or review, runs through Nov. 30. Historically, August your family, your business and your home.” INSIDE: YOUR SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS & BEST BETS by Colorado State University Tropical has been the prime month for hurricanes, and, we have 132 homes under construction.” Meteorology Project, are slightly above the Among the most important steps: Have a including Katrina in 2005 and Camille in 1969. hurricane kit with emergency supplies and 30-year average of 12 named storms, and “For all of the predictions that we see every follow up on last year’s disastrous hurricane have a plan for what you or your family will do year, and for all of the real-time information if a storm threatens. season that included storms such as Harvey, supplied by the Hurricane Hunters, we must A reminder of why Irma and Maria. One storm, Hurricane Nate, JULY 2018 SEPTEMBER 2018 we must be prepared Oscar Renda: Dry weather A compendium of what’s happening in Biloxi It was 13 years ago this month that devastated Biloxi and the Mississippi hasA meant compendium good progress of what’s happening in Biloxi Gulf Coast, and as fresh as that storm remains on minds of residents, longtimers will remember Oscar Renda Contracting, the firm Camille, the original monster storm. overseeing the 55 miles of infrastructure August marks the 49th anniversary of Hurricane work in east Biloxi north of the CSX railway, Camille, and the 13th anniversary of Hurricane is aiming to have Division Street paved from Katrina, two storms that decimated Biloxi and the one endBarring to the other anyin October. storms, Mississippi Gulf Coast. Superintendent John Cowart made the Said Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich: “Everybody announcementOscar after Renda, noting weather Hemphill and said there wouldPark, never be anotherboardwalk Camille, additional workers have helped the project With newly planted seed in and they were right. There was Katrina, and it’s see progress in offing Will it ever end? incumbent upon us to be prepared for the next move forward. the background, Hemphill one, whethernow it’s a hurricane open or flooding tocaused public; by “This time last year, east Biloxi endured construction workers replace a In one of the iconic images from , the shrimp boat Wade Klein rests between an oak and front beach home. a heavy thunderstorm.” record-settingfor Irish amounts Hill, of rainfall, Division which concrete driveway that had been causes two- and three-days of catch up,” in the path of the new waterline. Yes and no u A previewanother of Cable One programs, fire Page 13 station Cowart said.Biloxi’s infrastructure contractors are Here’s the latest on infrastructure work in eastu Storm & FloodBiloxi Preparedness info, Page 14 “Wefacing have morethunderstorm than 20 crewsseason, out but there both – expect Between massive infrastructure u Back in theon Day column: way Hurricanes, north Page 15 of Bay rain delays to be minimal, barring storms. projects, new parks, boardwalks and more than 185 workers – on this job every Hemphill: The challenging part is yet to comeUp, up Porter Avenue and connecting streets north Two high-profile waterfront projects – the Oscar Renda is replacingday and water,we’re sewer and being installed on north-south streets on the See video of Division willfire see asphaltstations, being more poured than a half-billion Popp’s Ferry Causeway Park and the West drainage from I-110working to Point as Cadet quickly north Motorists along U.S. 90 can see progress eastern end of the project, with pipes already updates at in August, anddollars during the in publicly-fundedmonth crews projects Caillavet to Reynoir Biloxi Boardwalk – are officially opening to of CSX, while Hemphillas we is workingcan.” south being made on installing a 16-inch water pre-positioned along Irish Hill Drive, signaling biloxi.ms.us and away, are expected toare wrap either up drainage underway work or in the works• Work on Benachi north of the CSX the public in time for the Labor Day weekend, of the railway from downtown Work on toparts Seashore line along the north side of the highway, work along that major east-west corridor. on Division, onein ofBiloxi. the final This phases month before we focus crossing, delayed because of issues on and the city is also kicking off construction of Methodist. between downtown at Seashore Methodist, of Division Street, which have been delayed “Am I pleased with the progress?”it’s declared the asphalt can be applied. Seeanother video fire station north of the Bay. “We’re on final drain lines on Division,” but Hemphill Construction says the most on the major road projects. Howard Avenue, will resume. On Howard by nine months until a gas line could be Hemphill Superintendent Tim Murrah. “I’m Those are two of the highlights from Oscar updates at challenging portions of the work are yet • Drainage structures will be installed on The Popp’sAvenue Ferry atCauseway Benachi, Park project, relocated,Oscar is nowRenda’s moving John forward. CowartDivision In says, fact, will “and be never pleased. You always want more, but Renda, the firm working on the 55 miles of biloxi.ms.us to come. Hopkins Boulevard, which will allow whose planningwhere goes workers back areto Cowart said that bySee the video end of Junepaved new from one we’re doing this job in a differentBlue way. Angels We’re infrastructure north of the CSX railway. The work is part of an 800-day, $23 million limestone to be installed near the end line 25 feet belowthe ground,mid-1980s,installing the willdeepest be a seweropen part to sewer lines, as deepupdates as 30 at feet inend some to the other finishing as we go, which makes it better for Among the other August milestones: project to see new water, sewer and drainage of August. of the entire project,the public workers Labor encountered Day weekend. a biloxi.ms.us the residents and businesses. • areas, will be installed and operational.before October.” July promises to be gangbusters in Biloxi, Asphalt will be applied to Bradford and Meanwhile, it was a mixed bag of news bank of phone linesHours that for were the onbait no shop plans. and installed in an area from downtown Biloxi “We’re trying to do the most work with the Also by the end of June, Cowart said, new with fireworks shows, Biloxi Shuckers games, plusHaise streets and on Magnolia north from Ricky Eiland of Hemphill Construction, kayak rentals are still being Meanwhile, expect curbs and gutters onto Seashore Methodist, south of the CSX Detours will remain for about another month. water should be active across the entire least interruption.” of Division. the firm handling work south of the CSX finalized, but operators plan to Porter at Circle Park shortly, which signalsRailway. a host of other events. And now, it’s over the top, In August, residents and motorists can See videos project. Pressure testing and chlorinating is However, that’s going to be difficult, Murrah • Curbing installed on Division from Railway. be open daily during daylight paving. Workers are currently installing the water literally. The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s high-flying expect to see more of the same progress. and photos at currently underway in the Circle Park area. admits, as the project progresses. Installation of a 16-inch water line on Irish hours initially. Tim Murrah of Hemphill says work alongline along the north side of U.S. 90, with flight demonstration squadron, will be joined by a host Added Eiland: “We’re continuing to come biloxi.ms.us Initial coats of asphalt also are expected to “On Howard Avenue and Benachi, we’re biloxi.ms.us • Hill Drive is complete. Meantime, the West Biloxi 90 is complete – save for south of the limited lane closures, and water and sewer behind ourselves and put down a base coat be applied on Couevas between Percy and going toof be other laying aerial pipe attractions that’s July 20-feet 21-22 deep over thein beach in Boardwalk, a project of the City of Biloxi cemetery – and crews are installing waterlines will be installed on north and south of asphalt just as soon as we can. It will be a Division; on Anglada, Fayard and Reynoir a limitedBiloxi. amount Front of row right will away,”be Harrah’s Murrah Great said,Lawn and the and Harrison County, is also now open to lines on Irish Hill. streets connecting U.S. 90 and Irish Hill Drive. continuing cycle throughout the project.” south of Division, Hill Street and Lee Street “We’re askingBlind Tiger. residents You’ll find to justan army bear of withgourmet us.” food trucks the public. “We cross Irish Hill with water lines in In fact, water and sewer lines are already from Suarez to Back Bay. and premium seating. The 10-foot boardwalk runs along the north about 10 places,” Murrah says. “We’re Bnews Monthly – June 2018 – 1 BNews edgeMonthly of the – Augustbeach, from 2018 the – Coast1 Transit looking to cut into the roadway instead of Comfort Station near Rodenberg to biloxi.ms.ustunneling, as at White and 90. This reduces Get the inside story on Blues Over Biloxi on Page 4. Veterans Avenue. the Irish Hill timeframe from months to The boardwalk, elevated as much as weeks.” three feet in some places, has benches Then, Hemphill will focus on the myriad along its route and is lighted for nighttime narrow streets between Irish Hill and 90. September 2018 • The Roads Issue beachcombers. Adds Cowart: “We’re all working as quickly “This new boardwalk gives people an as we can.” Page 2: MDOT on U.S. 90, a second pedestrian bridge, and updates on Howard Avenue, idea of what we’re trying to do along the waterfront,” says Mayor Andrew “FoFo” inadvertently set off all the charges at once the Keesler gate and the proposed Pine Street extension Gilich. “We’re creating a synergy and giving and set the west end of Deer Island on fire. Get ready for a trio of fireworksMunro, who has showsfollowed in theto footsteps celebrate the Fourth Page 4: The North Contract: A bird’s view. Where we are and how we got there. people a new waterfront experience.” “That’s when we quit doing it ourselves “We love our fireworks, and we love to of his father, the late Tommy Munro, who The new fire station, which will be on Old and hired a professional fireworks company,” Page 6: South of the railway: Underway for only a few months, the Hemphill work is celebrate,” Biloxi businessman Jerry Munro founded the Boom-Boom Committee in the Highway 67 east of Cedar Lake Road, will Munro said with a chuckle. “It’s spectacular. impacting Howard Avenue and other neighborhoods. says of the three fireworks shows planned to ‘70s when the city was short of funding. actually be completed before the battalion- It’s all electronically-fired, by computerized, mark the Fourth of July in Biloxi. “We have the largest fireworks show in Page 8: Popp’s Ferry Road on land and water. Time-consuming work is taking on two size station, Station 7. and set to music on FM 105.9, The Bob.” The shows are Sunday, July 1, 9 p.m., the southeast,” Munro says. “It’s a $40,000, The city recently broke ground for the Best viewing location: On the beach major projects: the Popp’s Ferry extension to U.S. 90 and a future new bridge. over Back Bay between IP and Scarlet Pearl 18-minute show that pays real tribute to our construction of the new station near between the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and Page 10: The Big Picture. Thanks to Southern Mississippi Planning and Development casino resorts; Tuesday, July 3, post-game country.” Cedar-Popp’s. Oak Street, where the city has established a Biloxi Shuckers Independence Day Fireworks The fireworks, fired from a barge just inside District, local leaders now have a rating of thoroughfares throughout Biloxi. Fire station No. 10, which has a price tag Deer Island, have come a long way since fireworks-free zone for spectators. Extravaganza at MGM Park; and Wednesday, Page 15: Biloxi’s oldest thoroughfare. Take a step back in time. of more than $2 million, will be similar in July 4, 9 p.m., fireworks off the Biloxi beachfront. that year in the ‘80s when the committee appearance to Station 9 in Eagle Point and And it’s not just about quantity, says BNews Monthly – July 2018 – 1 Station 2 at East End. See July’s calendar of events, Pages 7-10 Construction is scheduled to begin this biloxi.ms.us • month and set to be complete in nine months. biloxi.ms.us • BNews Monthly – September 2018 – 1

Over the past five months, the city’s BNews Monthly newsletter has provided a host of relevant news to Biloxi residents, with an array of informative updates and the month-long Community Calendar.

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Call Vincent Creel at 228-435-6368 or Cecilia Dobbs Walton at 228-435-6336 or email [email protected] A compendium of what’s happening in Biloxi

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BNews Monthly is a publication of the City of Biloxi Public Affairs Office. Each month this full-color newsletter and calendar of events is mailed by the U.S. Postal Service to every home, business, apartment, condominium and P.O. box in Biloxi (totaling about 24,000 in all). Copies also are Visit us online at biloxi.ms.us distributed at high traffic City of Biloxi facilities, and it is also available on the city website. Tile ads for qualified advertisers Sign up for BMail at biloxi.ms.us also are included in the city’s popular Bmail news service. For B-Alerts, text BILOXI to 888777

September 2018