I've just been waiting for something to get posted that I could talk about. :). The only way we will see a developer coming in to buy the smaller casinos and reinvested millions into them is if they stop allowing people to build more casinos on undeveloped land. Its much easier to build a casino from ground up with the developers planned ideas than it is to modify an existing casino. Atm biloxi really doesn't have many small casinos, so this really doesn't apply very much right now.

I believe that if the market continues as it does with super casinos being built the smaller casinos will suffer. They will always have their base and those that want to avoid the crowd, but the will have a hard time being very competative unless they make something that lets them stand out from the crowd.

The Palace has a reputations for being really good at everything, although it is small. I think Treasure Bay will need to find something similar to make sure that it has something to make it stand out as well.

While thinking of casinos going under, do you think someone would ever redo the Lady Luck Casino that was bought out by the Grand Casino several years back. At least I think thats what happened, I wasn't concern with casinos t\back then to remember the exact details.

Small casinos cannot make it anymore in the market. You are right, they do have their base, but if casinos like Treasure Bay, Boomtown, and maybe even (although I doubt it) the Palace do not expand, they might not be around much longer. Now the Palace has made evident their plans to expand, definately since they have not really done much but repair since they lost their barge. Boomtown also has slowly been buying land around its casino which would make one think that it will expand also. With Bacaran, Vieux Crescente, and Margaritaville eventually entering the market and two in D'Iberville, the day of very little capital casino is over.

To answer your question about the Lady Luck. It was built by a group of investors. The area where the casino was though is being developed into a shopping complex to go along with the Margaritaville Casino. There will be about 250,000 sq. ft. of shopping built there which is by far the largest shopping complex around in Casino. It will be developed by Simon Properties which is the largest developer of high-end malls in the nation.

If you look back at all the casinos that have not made it in the past close to twenty years, you will find one common thread, most did not have a hotel or any other capital invested in it other than a barge. The Jubilee in Bay St. Louis, the Lady Luck, the Biloxi Belle, and the Gold Shore all did not have any other capital. I think the city or state has even said that only so much of your casino can be gaming space, but I am not totally sure what the rule reads.

Treasure Bay
 

Prior to Katrina, I had been looking forward to the redevelopment of Treasure Bay after coming across the same rendering at Dale and Associates web site in late 2004 or early 2005. Although I liked the pirate theme, I must admit that I like the new modern theme better. Susan Varnes of Treasure Bay says that eventually they will develop condos on the south side of 90. I do believe that a few smaller casinos can survive if they invest in the neccessary amenities. There are people who prefer the more quaint and less crowded casinos. However, they are more prone to buy-outs from larger established companies with deep pockets.

Bayview Resort and Casino
 

I apologize! In a previous post I stated that the proposed casino immediately east of Boomtown was Back Bay Casino Resort, but the actual official name is Bayview Resort and Casino. I tried to find an online image but was unsuccessful. A rendering is on page 140 of the past June-July 2007 issue of beach blvd. The magazine is published by SunHerald News. The web site is below with access to previous issues but I was unable to pull up that particular issue. You may be able to stop by or contact Sunherald to purchase the past issue of June-July 2007 beach blvd.

http://www.beachblvd.biz/news/Biloxi...071001/p01.asp

Lady Luck Casino Property
 

From the limited renderings of Harrah's Margaritaville, the former Lady Luck property, which is on the west side of Oak Street, will not be touched in this development, although there is a mountain of rocks being piled there from the former Grand Casino excavation. Margaritaville along with Simon's 250,000sf of retail is all on the east side of Oak Street to include the Casino Magic site.

Long Beach Condo
 

Posted on Sat, Oct. 20, 2007
Judge's ruling upholds high-rise approval
By MICHAEL NEWSOM
mmnewsom@sunherald.com


LONG BEACH -- A judge has ruled in favor of the city in a case challenging the August 2006 approval of a high-rise development known as Pitcher Point Condominiums.
Circuit Judge Stephen B. Simpson recently ruled the city's zoning ordinances allow officials to approve a residential development in a commercially zoned district, when the planning commission approves of the decision.

Simpson also determined that the developers were able to ask for a "conditional use" exemption to the zoning law to allow condominiums, and the city was within its right to grant the exemption if the city finds the project is "viable as well as valuable to the residents" and if the developer submits the appropriate documentation.

The ruling clears the way for construction to begin on the project that the Board of Aldermen approved on Aug. 15, 2006 as a 420-unit high rise. Creekstone Pitcher Point LLC is the developer.

Mayor Billy Skellie said Friday the judgment upholds the city's ordinance and should help alleviate any confusion over the same issues in the future.

"It is good to know that the next time somebody wants to test the ordinance that is in the place now they can refer back to this ruling so they won't waste their time," Skellie said. "A judge will throw it out, whenever they bring it to him instead of delaying projects like this one has done."

Residents Stephen W. Piazza, Michael D. Strachan, David Youmans, Cynda Youmans, Ferdinand Pecoul, Linda Pecoul, Paul Taylor, Susan Taylor, Robert Munkel, Mary Munkel, Dr. Hurd Gaddy, Denise Gaddy and Georgina Bart had asked the court to reverse the city's approval and return the issue to the city for further consideration.

The group had alleged that the city had acted outside the purpose of its ordinances, but Simpson denied the request and his order said the project is now approved.


http://www.msbusiness.com/article.cfm?ID=2838


http://www.redpepperinvestments.com/TheReserve.html

Thanks so much for the idea. I actually contacted Dale/Morris architects, and they were unable to release the latest renderings of the project. I would really like to see what they are planning there.

Bridge Opening Event
 

The casinos are getting pumped up about the Bridge reopening. I got this from Jackpotmagazine.com

Bridge provides new access to casinos

BILOXI — When the first two lanes of the Biloxi Bay Bridge open on Thursday, Nov. 1, the cities of Biloxi and Ocean Springs will once again be connected, making it easier for casino guests to get to their favorite places to play. Biloxi casinos are celebrating the long-awaited event with a variety of activities, including fireworks, entertainment, promotions and more.

The festivities start with motorcycle riders being the first to cross the bridge. After the ceremonies at the bridge, Hard Rock Cafe will host the Biloxi Bay Bridge Motorcycle Parade at 2 p.m. A special limited-edition pin commemorating the event will be released to the public at this time. A limited edition $5 gaming chip will be available at Hard Rock beginning Wednesday, Oct. 31.

A performance by Creedence Clearwater Revisited at Hard Rock Live will take place at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Tickets are on sale now at the box office and all Ticket Master locations and online. Additionally, fans can also enter a drawing to win a Harley Davidson motorcycle, with proceeds benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The winner of the motorcycle will be announced at 10 p.m. that evening at the Biloxi cafe.

Several casinos have teamed together for a fireworks display that will light up the night sky. The display will be synchronized to music on radio station 105.9 FM beginning at 7 p.m. Spectators on both sides of the bridge will be able to see the dazzling show, which is being choreographed by Pyrotecnico, a fireworks and special events company known for its brilliant shows.

Sponsoring the fireworks are Beau Rivage, Boomtown Casino, Grand Biloxi Casino, IP Casino, Resort & Spa and Isle of Capri Casino Resort.

The Isle of Capri Casino is also giving players the chance to win up to $20,000 in cash and IslePlay. Each day from Nov. 1-17, IsleOne members who swipe their card will also have the chance to win $100 cash, free IslePlay, two-for-one buffets, drinks at Lava bar, hotel stays or extra entries into the grand-prize drawing.

The grand-prize drawing will take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, starting at 6 p.m. Drawings will occur every 30 minutes for $1,000 in IslePlay or $2,500 cash, until the final drawing at 9 p.m. for $10,000 cash. Winners must be present to win and will have five minutes to claim their prize before another entry is selected.

For rules and regulations, visit www.isleof-capricasino.com/Biloxi.

Palace Casino Resort is anxiously awaiting the opening of the bridge, as well, and the casino resort is introducing a new advertising message to direct guests to use the new bridge as a “Shortcut to the Coast.”

Palace guests will also have a shortcut for numerous ways to get free slot credits. Palace players receive points for their play which they can convert into slot credits; free Power Play slot credits with the purchase of a lunch or dinner buffet at Palace Buffet; new players club members receive free slot credits just for join- ing the free club; and Return Rewards slot credits for their next visit.

The bridge, which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29, 2005, will open in its entirety in Spring 2008.

Armed Forces Retirement Home Imploded
 

All these are my friends. All these are my friends," said Larry Westbrook, as he looked into the crowd of former residents and employees of the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

It was part homecoming and part family reunion along Anniston Avenue Thursday morning. Many held cameras while others proudly wore military hats. They came to bid a building farewell.

"Well, we're looking forward to it coming down, so we can get one built back up so we can come back down here again," said former resident Dick Chitwood.

Former residents and employees awaited the implosion with somewhat heavy hearts.

"Worked in the resident affairs office for 11 years and loved it. Great atmosphere," said Terry James, "Very many good memories. A whole lot."

Karey Garrett was among the former employees who awaited the tower to come down.

"Enjoyed every day. Loved it. I had to be to work at seven, but I was always there at five thirty every morning," he said.

A siren signaled three minutes. Three minutes until former resident Bill Parker pushes the button to make it happen.

"Kind of a bittersweet, You hate to see it come down, but if it don't come down, the new one can't go up," said Parker.

Then came the countdown: three, two, one!

A series of concussions shook the ground as the 11 story tower began its tumble. In a matter of moments, a cloud of dust, a small mountain of rubble and a stubborn elevator shaft that simply refused to fall was all that remained.

"It's not going to give up the ghost yet," joked one of the veterans in the viewing crowd.

"Yeah, it's bittersweet," said Chitwood, "But we need it coming. We need closure to get back to business."

Cleaning the rubble comes next. Construction on the new retirement home begins the first of next year. The demolition contractor says that stubborn elevator shaft will simply be knocked over with a crane.

Yates construction was awarded the $188,000,000 contract to build the new retirement home. The project is scheduled to be finished by the summer of 2010.

By Steve Phillips


LINK

Barbour Says NO To Choctaws
 

There will be no gaming in Jackson County if Governor Haley Barbour has his way. In just a few weeks, Jackson County residents will vote on whether or not they want the Choctaws to build a casino on Highway 57. Governor Haley Barbour says he's already made up his mind.

"As long as I'm governor, it won't happen," Barbour said.

Governor Barbour believes the Choctaws plan to turn 100 acres it owns in Jackson County into a $375 million casino resort.

"It is absolutely not fair to have a casino in Jackson County that doesn't operate under the same rules as Harrison County. That's one of the reasons I'm against it. But I'm also against expanding gaming beyond the counties where it is now," says Barbour.

When the issue of gaming came to the coast, both Harrison and Hancock Counties jumped on board, Jackson County did not and the governor wants it to stay that way.

"The window has been open for about 15 years, and I believe that all the counties who want casinos already have them. That's why I've advocated that the legislature close the window," Barbour said.

1992 was the last time Jackson County residents voted no on gaming. Now that the dynamics of the entire Gulf Coast have changed, proponents say the casino will create the economic boost Jackson County needs. But Governor Barbour says he won't change his mind.

"I've said from the start I'm against it. When I ran for governor four years ago, I said I am against expanding gaming beyond where it is now," Barbour agrues.

He believes the residents of Jackson County and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will vote against the Choctaw Casino proposal but if they don't, it still won't happen under his watch.

"If for some stupid reason the Bureau of Indian Affairs agrees to it, I will not approve it. As long as I'm governor, it won't happen," Barbour said.

The Choctaw casino referendum on November 6th, is non binding, meaning the ultimate decision rests with the governor and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

By Elise Roberts

LINK

I haven't heard a single whisper about the Tivoli since the mayor vetoed the zoning change. Does anyone know what they are doing now, are the looking for a new spot, giving up, or hiring a team of the devil's closest friends (lawyers, sorry if you are one :P) to send the city into chaos :haha: ?


I haven't been to Biloxi since July, what progress has been made on the Margaritaville, BacaranBay, and Isle construction sites?

I can answer your first question, and hopefully BLX can answer your second. (BLX if you a camera and can ever get around one day to take pictures of everything, I think we would all appreciate it! :) )

The Tivoli thing is dead right now. I would not be suprised if the current owners of the property try to sell the property and possibly get land elsewhere in Biloxi. If the property cannot even get rezoned through the city, one would have to guess that there is no way the state would pass the project, at least not yet. Mayor AJ did make a good point though. Development is already allowed from Point Cadet all the way around to the IP. There has been millions of dollars spent by the city to get that area ready for development, and it would be a shame to slow development down there if they started letting casinos build on the beach.

Bacaran Bay have only done drainage and ground work to clear what looked like debris from previous landfill. They hope to officially break ground by the end of the year. Margaritaville is moving along. Until now, all the work has been ground. Over the last few weeks they have been pouring footings with steel rods protruding out of the ground. I suspect by the next two months, we'll start seeing above ground forms being poured. I hope that Harrah's will soon have an official Margaritaville site with additional renderings and a live site cam. The Isle has completed its footings but construction work seems to have slowed. They did post in the SunHerald recently that they were reviewing their master plan to ensure that they remain competitive in the changing market. Regarding the Tivoli, at this weeks city council meeting I spoke with Kenny Lobell (partner in Biloxi Capital) and he informed me that they remain committed to the Biloxi casino project. He told me about another card they will play and that Gulfport is also an option. Mayor Holloway and others suggested that the Tivoli project would be ideal for the Broadwater site but the owners of that property is in serious negotiations with another major player that will develop the entire two hundred plus acres.

Its good to hear the Broadwater might finally get a casino to develop their property, it was a big let down when the foxwoods casino fell through.I wish the Diamondhead site would also find a developer, because it was also a let down when Trump turned down that site.

Google Earth
 

Google finally updated the Satellite images of Biloxi. They no longer show right after Katrina damage. It is nice because you can see the imprints of the Bacaran, Margaritaville, and Vieux. You can also see several of the condo projects in West Biloxi going up!

Foxwoods
 

I was never convinced that Foxwoods was the best fit for Broadwater. I envision something like a Wynn Resort or Borgata.

I disagree, the Mashantucket Pequot are into developing massive amounts of property, so they could have brought their experience to the table to develop the huge foot print that is the Broadwater. I do not believe they would have developed nearly the world class destination that another team might develop, but I believe it would have at least been about 1000 times nicer than what was there.

I am once again going to state my pessimism about Wynn developing there. Not that I think it is an impossibility, I just do not want to let myself begin to think how incredibly awesome that would be. Whatever eventually goes there though will be huge and probably be the number one destination in the state if not the entire South East. There is just soo much potential.

Your mention of the Borgata is interesting because something of a joint venture between two large groups is possible for that site. Something like the Borgota casino and its new Water Club hotel could work well on a site that large.

Is the Broadwater site within Keesler's fly zone?

I am not sure Velastor, but BLX says it is not.

As long as residence don't complain the developers of the Broadwater will be able to build whatever they want. I wish the portofino at the Broadwater was still going to be built. Last I heard it was scrapped. I look forward to seeing what they will do with the island where the old casino was docked. I hope it includes some sort of tower or maybe a restaurant over looking a redone marina.