What’s coming in Biloxi? $80 million in new homes, restaurants and entertainment

Mary Perez
·6 min read

Biloxi has $80 million in construction going up across the city and much more on the way.

“All of the economic indicators we’re looking at are moving in the right direction,” said Jerry Creel, Biloxi’s community development director.

Casino revenue remains strong, he said, and sales tax revenue has topped $1 million each month for 24 months, something that’s never happened before.

Developers from the Coast and outside Mississippi are knocking on Biloxi’s door, he said.

“We’re getting residential, commercial and amusement construction,” he said. “We’re getting apartments, townhouses, single family residential — it’s not slowing down.”

The “coming soon” sign on the marquee of Saenger Theatre in downtown Biloxi is an announcement for the ongoing renovations of the historic building, the restoration of the Barq Building and the downtown and new retail, restaurants and attractions in every area of the city.

Creel said he’s working with developers of eight hotels coming to Biloxi, five new restaurants, two car washes under construction, two convenience stores and many other new businesses.

Besides commercial expansion, the population of the city continues to grow,he said, with more than 100 homes under construction from the beach to Woolmarket, a development of small homes proposed on Pass Road and other new subdivisions and townhouses on the way.

New entertainment in Biloxi

The opening of Paradise Pier Fun Park in March at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi is a major boost to family attractions for the 50,000 residents of Biloxi and the 4.2 million visitors to the city each year.

Along with the observations wheel and thrill rides at Paradise Pier, the new Sky Zone trampoline park opened this spring and Big Play Family Fun Park has an expanded arcade.

These other fun projects starting construction or proposed in Biloxi are:

▪ $2 million rebuild and repair the storm-damaged piers, pavilion and building at the Seafood Industry Museum dock at 367 Beach Blvd.

▪ $2.3 million for a new gym at Our Lady of Fatima, 2090 Pass Road

▪ UMUSIC Hotel and Casino at the old Broadwater site is still on the table, Bilolxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich says the proposed $1.2 billion casino at the former Broadwater site

▪ Smokin’ Guns Range & Academy at West Oaklawn Road

▪ A racetrack theme park in north Biloxi

New hotels coming to Biloxi

▪ Tullis Gardens Hotel — A $140 million resort with 200 hotel rooms, townhomes and conference center is coming to the beach, just west of Harrah’s Gulf Coast casino.

▪ Aqua Suites Hotel and Townhouses — Beach Boulevard and White Avenue

▪ The Bella boutique short term rentals will open this year at 854 Howard Ave. in downton Biloxi, along with a cafe.

▪ White House Event Center and additional hotel rooms will be built on Beach Boulevard at White Avenue BB and White Avenue.

▪ Townplace Suites & Fairfield Inn & Suites, Cedar Lake Road and Popp’s Ferry Road near Interstate 10 just went through Development Review Committee.

▪ Hotel, retail center and condos, proposed at the former Landry’s site on Beach Boulevard in west Biloxi, would have a 150-room hotel, with retail and condos behind the hotel.

▪ A boutique hotel on Water Street in East Biloxi, north of Yates construction company.

New restaurants

▪ Zaxby’s and a retail center is coming on Pass Road in West Biloxi, at the location of El Rancho.

▪ Rizzuto’s Ristorante & Chop House is scheduled to open in August or September in the Redding Mansion at 770 Jackson Street near Biloxi City Hall.

▪ Azteca’s Restaurant & Cantina is coming to the former Hooters location on Beach Boulevard and Althea Street.

▪ The Toasted Yolk Cafe at 902 Howard Avenue, north of MGM Park, is expected to open in May in downtown Biloxi, north of MGM Park.

▪ The former Fillup with Billups location on U.S. 90 and Caillavet Street, across from Beau Rivage Resort and Casino and MGM Park, will open as a new concept.

▪ A new steak and seafood restaurant is coming from the owners of Half Shell Oyster House to the former Sal & Mookies in downtown Biloxi.

Roads to opportunity

Three new roads create more opportunity for Biloxi, Creel said. They include:

▪ Popp’s Ferry Extension that will connect Popp’s Ferry Road to the beach. Rouses Market will open in the former grocery store and the Popp’s and Pass Road intersection, in part because of the new road and easier access, the company said. The property along the new route was just rezoned from residential to commercial. The city has already spent $15 million on the road, and Mayor Gilich said, “Without a doubt, it will be a shot in the economic arm of this major intersection and open new opportunities in the impacted area south of Pass Road to U.S. 90 just west of the Coliseum.”

The Popp’s Ferry Extension will connect Pass Road to the north with U.S. 90 at the beach, easing traffic and providing the potential for more development along the route.
The Popp’s Ferry Extension will connect Pass Road to the north with U.S. 90 at the beach, easing traffic and providing the potential for more development along the route.

▪ A new road will be built from Pass Road in west Biloxi to Gulf Coast Community College. “We believe that the road will give the community college a presence on Pass Road,” Creel said, providing an attractive entrance and relieving traffic on the residential areas of DeBuys Road. The new road will provide access to 20 lots that will be in phase 2 of Goose Point at Pass Road and Eisenhower Drive.

“I’m convinced that the extension was also considered by Keesler Federal Credit Union in their decision to build and relocate their International Headquarters next to the facilities they have on Pass Road. 1,500 new jobs will be there,” Gilich said.

A new road from Pass Road to Eula Street in west Biloxi will create a new entrance to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Phase II of Goose Point development will link to the road.
A new road from Pass Road to Eula Street in west Biloxi will create a new entrance to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Phase II of Goose Point development will link to the road.

▪ Division Street leading to the new entrance of Keesler Air Force Base was rebuilt and provides space to new business on both sides of the road. A mortgage office has opened along the new corridor. “What we’d like to see along Division Street are businesses that will benefit the City of Biloxi and Keesler Air Force Base,” Creel said.

It’s now a straight shot from I-110 to the new main gate entrance to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, with land waiting to be developed along the new boulevard.
It’s now a straight shot from I-110 to the new main gate entrance to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, with land waiting to be developed along the new boulevard.

Other projects coming to Biloxi

▪ Two new strip centers on Mississippi 67 north of Chevron and on Shriners Boulevard

▪ $5.5 million in upgrades and improvements at the Biloxi Sportsplex

▪ New headquarters office building for Keesler Federal Credit Union on Pass Road

▪ Oceans Behavioral Health on DeBuys Road

▪ Remodel at Harrah’s Gulf Coast

▪ Remodeled restrooms at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino

▪ Restroom renovations at MGM Park

▪ New car wash on Popp’s Ferry and Iron Horse

▪ Classy Chassis Car Wash on Pass Road at Gulfwater Drive

▪ Gas station, convenience store and restaurant on Beach Boulevard at DeBuys

▪ Take 5 oil change and car wash on Popp’s Ferry Road

▪ Convenience store at Popp’s Ferry and Jam Lane

▪ Renovation to balconies at Chateau Le Grand, 1130 Beach Blvd.