MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST | (Biloxi, Gulfport, and other MS Coastal Cities)

[BLX 101]

The Isle will be a spectacular site from the top of the new Biloxi Bay Bridge. While walking pass an opened office yesterday, something (out of the corner of my eye) grabbed my attention. It was an awsome rendering of the redesigned resort. All I can say is JOB WELL DONE! Very modern and contemporary giving the hotel tower a complete exterior make-over. Hopefully, the plans will be made public very soon.

[Velastor]

How is the cities dock/port/fishing area, the one right by the isle, mixed into the plans? I cant remember the name right off the top of my head.

[Red UM Rebel]

Do you mean the JL Scott Aquarium?

[bayou15]

Hey REB, Did they build the hardrock to small? Could they add on? Everytime I geaux there it seems packed out!

[Velastor]

I was talking about the big marina behind the Isle. Maybe that one is owned by the Isle and im confusing it with something else.

[Red UM Rebel]

Originally Posted by Velastor

I was talking about the big marina behind the Isle. Maybe that one is owned by the Isle and im confusing it with something else.

It is still there actually. BLX please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe boats are still parking there.

[Red UM Rebel]

Originally Posted by bayou15

Hey REB, Did they build the hardrock to small? Could they add on? Everytime I geaux there it seems packed out!

The casino is actually about 15000 square feet smaller than the original that Hurricane Katrina destroyed. I believe they eventually might exapand and build a second tower behind the pool area somewhat over the water and expand the casino in doing so. Right now though, I believe they are just working to expand the brand and keep it packed so they can get the cash flow to eventually expand. I originally thought they might expand to the area between the Hard Rock and the Beau, but it seems like that land and the land across the street have been bought by Al Copeland who is interested in developing it.

[Red UM Rebel]

I was actually on the Coast this weekend, but the weather was so bad that I was unable to get out and take pictures. I will be down there in the next couple of weeks and will try to get pages for the first page of this thread and also post some on here to show what is going on.

[BLX 101]

Originally Posted by Red UM Rebel

It is still there actually. BLX please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe boats are still parking there.

The Point Cadet Marina is in operation and it is owned by the city of Biloxi. Access is through the Isle's entrance.

[BLX 101]

Originally Posted by Red UM Rebel

The casino is actually about 15000 square feet smaller than the original that Hurricane Katrina destroyed. I believe they eventually might exapand and build a second tower behind the pool area somewhat over the water and expand the casino in doing so. Right now though, I believe they are just working to expand the brand and keep it packed so they can get the cash flow to eventually expand. I originally thought they might expand to the area between the Hard Rock and the Beau, but it seems like that land and the land across the street have been bought by Al Copeland who is interested in developing it.

I've recently learned that Al Copeland is having health issues that appears to be serious. I'm certain that any casino proposal that he comes up with will be faced with difficulties and many oppositions. My hope is for Hard Rock to expand onto this property with a condotel.

[Red UM Rebel]

Originally Posted by BLX 101

I've recently learned that Al Copeland is having health issues that appears to be serious. I'm certain that any casino proposal that he comes up with will be difficult and face many oppositions. My hope is for Hard Rock to expand onto this property with a condotel.

I read in the paper about a month ago that he has some form of cancer. I do however disagree with you that it would be hard to build a casino on that land. Because he owns the large chunk of land across the street he could build a tower between hard rock and beau and small casino and then have a cross over like old Grand's and build a much larger resort on the other side of the street.

Do to the fact that the Hard Rock had to sue its loan company, it will take a while for them to rebuild their credit and trust within the credit community, so a condotel will likely be unimaginable for at least five to maybe ten years.

I do hope some plans (like Isle being redone or something else of that nature) are announced soon so it will get TGGI's butt into gear on the Bacaran. At this rate the Margarittaville will be open before it.

[BLX 101]

Originally Posted by Red UM Rebel

I read in the paper about a month ago that he has some form of cancer. I do however disagree with you that it would be hard to build a casino on that land. Because he owns the large chunk of land across the street he could build a tower between hard rock and beau and small casino and then have a cross over like old Grand's and build a much larger resort on the other side of the street.

I have to respectfully disagree with you. Even with the property that he controls on the North side of 90, it still is'nt adequate real estate to build a large enough casino, with the neccessary amenities to be viable. Not to mention the required parking. I seriously doubt that the city would grant permission to block a downtown street that leads to the hospital and other businesses. This area is considered the historic district adjacent to Mary Mahoney's and the historic Magnolia Hotel; it is promoted as a self guided tour. In recent meetings, some councilmen have become out spoken regarding developers building large obtrusive parking structures immediately on Scenic hwy 90. They want them set off from the hwy or buffered significantly. The issue was raised upon approving Margaritaville's master plan. One councilmen stated that he was "tired" of it. I would not be surprise if a resolution is passed this year against it. Even gas stations on 90 have faced difficulties rebuiding.

[Red UM Rebel]

Originally Posted by BLX 101

I have to respectfully disagree with you. Even with the property that he controls on the North side of 90, it still is'nt adequate real estate to build a large enough casino, with the neccessary amenities to be viable. Not to mention the required parking. I seriously doubt that the city would grant permission to block a downtown street that leads to the hospital and other businesses. This area is considered the historic district adjacent to Mary Mahoney's and the historic Magnolia Hotel; it is promoted as a self guided tour. In recent meetings, some councilmen have become out spoken regarding developers building large obtrusive parking structures immediately on Scenic hwy 90. They want them set off from the hwy or buffered significantly. The issue was raised upon approving Margaritaville's master plan. One councilmen stated that he was "tired" of it. I would not be surprise if a resolution is passed this year against it. Even gas stations on 90 have faced difficulties rebuiding.

Although I agree about the councilmen being tired of it, designing a casino that integrates its large parking underneath it in a way that is aesthetically pleasing would make those locations viable casino locations. And the city really does not have to approve, it comes down to the gambling commission (as they so readily pointed out during the whole Tivoli thing), and if the site is eligible, then it is approved. I doubt anything will be built in either of those locations for a very very very long time, which is very disappointing because that really is prime real estate for a condotel (hard rock or MGM or otherwise owned) as you pointed out. They could also fit probably as much as a 40K square feet casino in their if it were two or three levels that looked out over the gulf much like the TBAY did.

[Velastor]

I have to agree with BLX to a degree, Biloxi doesn't need any more small casinos. Small resorts without gambling halls would be a nice addition, something like a hotel room, with a pool, weight room, and a few other additions.

Also that site has been talked about a few times during the gaming commision reports and it was to small to even receive approval from the gaming commision.

Even if the gaming commision just loved a casino and told them to build it at that site, if it falls within city limit the city can always stop the project from going forward as long as enough council men and the mayor are opposed to the project.

Also casino need to start "hiding" the big ugly parking decks. They could easily cover them up with some type of theming. They could grow vines around the sides and have little thin water falls every 10-20 feet cascading down the sides of them and put little lights along the sides of the falls that light up at night. There are endless possiblities for them to fix this up and I think the city should push for this, but they should start right away with all new projects and then find a way to "force" the other to comply.

Back to that property I think it would be a nice spot for a stand alone amenity. Someone could open a nice restaurant similiar to M.M. and draw large crowds away from the casinos. They could even put condos or hotel rooms over the restaurant or shops. It would be wise though to try and incorporate both the Beau and HR into their plans if it was possible.

[Red UM Rebel]

Although that site is small, look at the Cosmo being build out in Vegas. It is amazing now what they can do with the smallest patch of land. Also, the idea of a condo or restaurant going in in that location would probably be better than a smaller stand alone casino, but it all comes down to funding. You will notice that most of the condo projects are still in "design" phase or are trying to build in gaming elements. With our economy the way it is, the only way to afford to build anything like that these days is by adding a gaming element. But as I said, it will be a long time before anythin is put there anyway.

[BLX 101]

Originally Posted by Red UM Rebel

And the city really does not have to approve, it comes down to the gambling commission (as they so readily pointed out during the whole Tivoli thing), and if the site is eligible, then it is approved.

Again, I must respectfully disagree. You have grossly misunderstood the intent of the commissioners letter. The issue with the Tivoli was whether or not the site was legal according to the interpretation of the law regarding legal casino sites. It stated that it had the final say on which sites were and were not legal and that they would not even consider any project without the approval and support of the local government. When they said it didn't matter how the city ruled, they were refering scrictly to the legality of the site.

[Red UM Rebel]

Originally Posted by BLX 101

Again, I must respectfully disagree. You have grossly misunderstood the intent of the commissioners letter. The issue with the Tivoli was whether or not the site was legal according to the interpretation of the law regarding legal casino sites. It stated that it had the final say on which sites were and were not legal and that they would not even consider any project without the approval and support of the local government. When they said it didn't matter how the city ruled, they were refering scrictly to the legality of the site.

Ahh I misunderstood then and thank you for the correction. I dabble around with drawing sometimes, and after you mentioned it I drew an addition that wrapped around the pool along 90 with a long shopping promenade and connected to Hard Rocks new twenty five story condo tower on that location we have been discussing. After taking to the time to do it, I actually agree that a site there would look good, but I am still afraid that it would take HR a while to get the resources to build on that location.

[Red UM Rebel]

Originally Posted by BLX 101

The Isle will be a spectacular site from the top of the new Biloxi Bay Bridge. While walking pass an opened office yesterday, something (out of the corner of my eye) grabbed my attention. It was an awsome rendering of the redesigned resort. All I can say is JOB WELL DONE! Very modern and contemporary giving the hotel tower a complete exterior make-over. Hopefully, the plans will be made public very soon.

Also, could you be any more specific about contemporary or at least do you have any idea when the plans will be released?

[BLX 101]

Originally Posted by Red UM Rebel

Also, could you be any more specific about contemporary or at least do you have any idea when the plans will be released?

Actually, the extension expires today. I'll see if I can learn anything tonight. For the most part, the exterior design is basically the same rendering which was previously released by Wlox and the SunHerald early last year. The most drastic change is the sweeping roof design of the hotel tower and the color scheme. I do have a picture of that original design but as I stated previously, I have yet to learn how to upload photos to this site.

[Red UM Rebel]

BLX,Velastor and others to upload photos, you will need a flickr or similar account.

www.flickr.com (if you already have a Yahoo account it is the best one to use)

You will upload your photos to that site. Once they are uploaded about the photo they will have several tabs, and one will be all sizes. Click on that and then click on the size you would like and scroll to the bottom. There will be at the bottom a line of code that will look like (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/...996f3383_o.jpg) and source that onto this thread.

What I mean by source them is that you will type

[img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/2052075664_16996f3383_o.jpg[/ img] *except don't leave a space between the back slash and the final img

if done correctly it should look like