Top 2020 openings and development on the MS Coast: Hotels, restaurants, aquarium, more
Pearl Hotel in downtown Bay St. Louis opens just before New Year’s Eve, adding glimmer to a year when COVID-19 closed business for two months and development was down by $100 million in South Mississippi.
The Treen Report shows $198 million in building permits were issued across the Coast in 2020, compared to $298 million in 2019.
Much of that $100 million difference is from one project — the restoration of the east bank shipyard at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula last year. Permits were issued in 2019 for $81 million for three new fabrication shops and other infrastructure at the shipyard near downtown.
This was a year of renovations and expansions at many businesses, but larger projects had investors watching and waiting to see what would happen with the coronavirus pandemic.
The largest development project announced in 2020 was the proposed $1.2 billion UMUSIC Broadwater hotel and casino in Biloxi. Dakia Global U-Ventures, which is partnering with Universal Music Group, the largest music company in the world, also plans music-themed resorts in Atlanta and Orlando.
The $93 million Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport and $11 million Pearl boutique hotel with its balconies overlooking the downtown waterfront were the most notable development projects on the Coast.
Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes said in his annual address this month that Mississippi Aquarium has become the No. 1 attraction in the state since it opened on Aug. 29, the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Greg Pietrangelo, director of urban development in Gulfport, said building permits are up 12% in the city this year, and the number of businesses has remained constant with over 2,400 businesses licenses despite some businesses closing during the pandemic.
“Everybody’s hoping for a better year next year,” said David Parker, Gulfport’s economic development director. He continues to get calls from business owners who want to locate close to the aquarium, he said. Small Cakes just opened nearby, he said, and the city is about to see the historic renovation of the former Markham Hotel, adding 123 rooms to downtown.
Mississippi Maritime Museum nonprofit organization is looking for a 2023 opening in Pascagoula and named Lorren West as its first executive director.
New MS Gulf Coast restaurants
Among the new restaurants that opened in 2020 were Marina Cantina in Gulfport, Keg and Barrel in Ocean Springs and Bayou Caddy Oyster Bar at Silver Slipper Casino in Hancock County.
The pandemic shutdown provided an opportunity to transform Scranton’s Restaurant and Catering in Pascagoula into a marketplace restaurant with residential on the upper floor.
Already on the way for 2021 are another location of Murky Waters BBQ coming to Bay St. Louis and Field’s Flights steak and oyster bar that will open in the historic Magnolia Hotel in Biloxi.
The small but trendy Hotel Beatnik in Ocean Springs made a big impression when it opened, and Hotel Legends brought a touch of old-school class to downtown Biloxi with its retro Sapphire Supper Club and its nod to the Rat Pack and other movie greats.
A new go-kart track opened at Big Play Entertainment Center in Biloxi during the pandemic, and Brandon Wooldridge said they’ll be adding bumper cars on the east side of Veterans Avenue near the go-karts.
New South Mississippi retail
Several new stores are open or coming soon in South Mississippi:
▪ Carriage Consignment high-end boutique, 1001 Howard Ave., Biloxi
▪ Goodwill South Mississippi, 12057 U.S. 49 in Gulfport, a 60,000-square-foot location
▪ 211 Main outdoor apparel, 211 Main St., Bay St. Louis
▪ Gulf Coast Home, featuring accessories and gifts, 317 Ulman Ave., Bay St. Louis
▪ Southern Hospitality Supply, 10354 Lemoyne Blvd., D’Iberville
▪ American Freight, a national home store, opened at 360 Pass Road, Gulfport. Offering name-brand products, same day pick up for in-stock items and a credit plan where everyone is accepted.
▪ New Dollar General stores are under construction or open at Forts Lake Road, Moss Point; 13925 Old Biloxi Road, Vancleave; 2705 Mississippi 614, Moss Point, and 2500 Wade Vancleave Road, Vancleave.
Housing boom
“People can work remotely now,” Parker said, and some of them are moving to Gulfport and other areas of South Mississippi for the mild winters and low cost of living.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Association of Realtors reported 594 homes were sold in November, which is 150 more than in Nov. 2020.
The average sales price of $214,769 in November was the highest ever on the Coast. The average price is about $35,000 more per home than the $180,302 it was in November 2019.
Construction began on North Park Estates. The affordable housing project at 8156 South Carolina Avenue in Gulfport was funded in part through a $500,000 Affordable Housing Program grant from The Peoples Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.
Senior resort living
Two new assisted living projects with memory centers, The Blake in Biloxi and Summerfield in Gulfport, are bringing new levels of amenities for seniors on the Coast.
The Blake on Popp’s Ferry Road is the eighth Blake community in the Southeast, dedicated to wellness, care and hospitality. The $25 million facility has 118 apartments, with 70 assisted living and 48 memory care units.
Judy Belk, co-owner and founder, was looking for a retirement place for her Mom and said, “We couldn’t find a place we were comfortable with.” Residents will begin moving into the resort-style complex Jan. 4 and will find a theater, spa a concierge desk, chapel, 24-hour gym, coffee shop and a restaurant with a full menu daily. Nursing staff is on premises day and night.
Summerfield Senior Living of Gulfport will open in late winter with 70 apartments, 18 dedicated for memory care in a separate wing. This is the first Summerfield in Mississippi, and three others are in Louisiana.
The complex has studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units and encourages residents to spend time outside at the facility’s putting green, playground for the kids, stocked pond with a fishing pier, vegetable garden and barnyard with farm animals.
Other new businesses
▪ Gina G Realtor, 87015 Beau Vue Court, Diamondhead
▪ Twin Oaks Tiny House, a 400-square-foot home for short-term stays at 1238 Iberville Drive, Ocean Springs
▪ Fidelis Kelly Properties, 10354 Lemoyne Blvd., D’Iberville
▪ Tidal Wave Auto Spa, 2910 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs
▪ Team Carver Karate, 546 St. John St., Bay St. Louis
▪ MoWork Co-Working Space, inside Edgewater Mall, 2600 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
▪ Ramon Insurance, 808 Howard Ave., Biloxi
▪ New Singing River Medical Clinic at 967 Cedar Lake Road, Biloxi
▪ Gulf Coast Aviation, an FAA Part 141 flight training school, is now operational at Stennis International Airport.
▪ Newly renovated and expanded STEM building was dedicated at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Jackson County Campus in Gautier.
Supporting social causes
Sweet Belongings — an upscale boutique store at 10345 Auto Mall Parkway, D’Iberville, inside Antiques and More — benefits Advocates for for Freedom, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting against human trafficking in South Mississippi.
Coastal Kwik Stop at 313 Cowan Road, Gulfport, is a neighborhood convenience store opened during the pandemic by Carlos Bell and Korey Nealous.
“We want to be a part of showing young people that you can own your own business and thrive,” said Bell, a Black business owner. Nealos said he wants to inspire Black teens to consider entrepreneurship, and will be offering mentorship opportunities to teens demonstrating an aptitude and interest in business.
Major projects for 2020
The Treen Report shows the biggest building permits for 2020 are:
▪ $27.8 million — New elementary school, 16121 Mississippi 15, D’Iberville
▪ $20 million — Hurricane Zeta damage at Beau Rivage, 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
▪ $20 million — Hurricane Zeta damage at Hard Rock Biloxi, 777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
▪ $7 million — Warehouse for American Baitworks Co. at 5700 Gulf Tech Drive, Sunplex, Vancleave
▪ $5.6 million — Pellet storage for Enviva at 215 Industrial Road, Pascagoula
▪ $5 million — Hangar at Stennis International Airport, 7250 Stennis Airport Drive, Kiln
▪ $5 million — Wood Pallet building for Enviva Biomass, 215 Industrial Road, Pascagoula
▪ $5 million — Hurricane Zeta damage at IP Casino, 850 Bayview Ave., Biloxi
▪ $4.8 million — Vehicle showroom and service Center, Bob Boyte, 6025 MS 63, Moss Point
▪ $4.7 million — Sanctuary for Catholic Diocese, 9062 Kiln DeLisle Road, Pass Christian
▪ $3.9 million — New commercial for Joseph/Kathleen Monti Trust, 3520 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs
▪ $3.7 million — Metal building for Calgon Carbon, 13121 Webre Road, Bay St. Louis
▪ $3.1 million — New elementary school at 5404 Hurley Wade Road, Hurley
▪ $3 million — Hurricane Zeta damage at Harrah’s Gulf Coast, 280 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
▪ $2.9 million — Convenience store at 20600 Mississippi 63, Moss Point
▪ $2.3 million — Renovation and security upgrades, Harrison County Corrections, 10451 Larkin Smith Drive, Gulfport
▪ $2.2 million — New administration building at Hancock County School District, 18375 MS 603, Kiln
▪ $2.1 million — Addition to school at 10800 Yellow Jacket Blvd., Ocean Springs
▪ $1.6 million — Renovation of Walmart, 3911 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs
▪ $1.6 million — New commercial at 601 Bayou Cassote Pkwy., Pascagoula
▪ $1.6 million — Addition for Seemann Composites, Gulfport
▪ $1.5 million — Hangar Bay at Stennis International Airport, 7250 Stennis Airport Drive, Kiln
$1.4 million — Renovation of 3 buildings, Hancock School District, 17304 MS 603, Kiln
▪ $1.4 million — Renovation at Hancock County School District, 7180 Stennis Airport Road,Kiln
▪ $1.2 million — Addition to lab administration at Calgon, 13121 Webre Road, Bay St. Louis
▪ $1.2 million — Athletic track at East Central Schools, 5600 Hurley Wade Road, Hurley
▪ $1.1 million — Addition to Hancock County Performing Arts Center, 7140 Stennis Airport Drive, Kiln
▪ $1.1 million — New restroom, concession, ticket booth for Hancock Co. School District, 7084 Stennis Airport Drive, Kiln
▪ $1.1 million — Office for Gulfport Redevelopment Commission, 1401 20th Ave., Gulfport
▪ $1.1 million — 10,000 square foot renovation for FEB Distributing, 12155 Intraplex Parkway, Gulfport
▪ $1 million — Go Kart Track, Big Play Entertainment Center, 1816 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
This story was originally published December 23, 2020 at 5:50 AM.
