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Changes in attitudes
New casino is Jimmy Buffett’s endorsement of Coast’s rebirth
By MARY PEREZ

“Margaritaville Casino Resort Biloxi — I want that T-shirt,” said singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett on Tuesday as he announced the name of the $700 million casino Harrah’s Entertainment will build on Casino Row south of U.S. 90.

Construction begins this summer; the resort will open in 2010. This is the largest investment in Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina, and Phases II and III could raise the tab to more than a billion dollars. The resort will feature: A new 420-room hotel plus restoration of 378 rooms at the former Casino Magic Biloxi. 100,000 square feet of casino space. 66,000 square feet of convention space. A Margaritaville restaurant. 250,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and entertainment. Pool and spa. “It’s been a long time since I played Biloxi,” said Buffett as he sang “It’s My Job” and “Margaritaville” at the press conference at Grand Casino Biloxi, which will be separate from the new casino.

Buffett was born in Pascagoula and got his first paying gig in Biloxi. When Buffett learned Harrah’s Vice Chairman Charles Atwood also was a Pascagoula native, “I think I knew then that this was going to happen.”

In a phone conversation last week Buffett said, “I’m obviously thrilled,” and he gave three reasons for bringing the Margaritaville Casino to Biloxi. The first was fun. His local roots were also a part of the decision, and then he wanted to give the Coast an economic boost to get back on its feet after Hurricane Katrina.

Harrah’s Chairman and CEO Gary Loveman said his company continues to help revitalize the Coast. Harrah’s opened one of the first clinics in Gulfport after the hurricane and paid $8.1 million in grants, loans and relocation assistance to its employees. The company also paid $113 million in state taxes and nearly $140 million in wages in Mississippi in 2006.

Now the focus can switch to moving forward and building a tier 1 destination resort. Loveman said the sale of Harrah’s to a private-equity firm won’t affect the plans for the Margaritaville Casino.

Gov. Haley Barbour can’t wait to hear more about the additional plans for the new casino and said, “It won’t be all about gaming,” but will be a multifaceted destination.

“I plan to be pretty active in this,” said Buffett, who said he will rely on childhood memories such as boat rides to Ship Island as he designs what the Biloxi Margaritaville will look and feel like.

“I think I have a unique insight,” he said. “I go way back.”

Margaritaville is a feeling and a way of life, said John Payne, Harrah’s central division president. It’s never been made into a casino before.

Atwood said as Harrah’s sets out to create a world-class resort, “We brought together some of the best people in the world to help us.”

At least 50 to 60 shops, plus restaurants, will give those visiting Margaritaville Casino “an experience when they go shopping,” said David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group. The company has developed shopping complexes across the country, including The Forum at the Harrah’s Caesars resort in Las Vegas.

Bobby Moak, chairman of the Gaming Committee of the Mississippi House of Representatives, said this kind of investment is a signal to the rest of the market. “They see some things that are going to happen on the Coast.”

“I think Jimmy Buffett knows the Biloxi of the past,” said Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway, “and he obviously sees the immense promise in the Biloxi of the future.”

Holloway added that more casino announcements will be coming in short order for Biloxi.