$7 million fix of Biloxi’s Broadwater Marina will close popular area for more than a year
It’s uncertain when a casino might be built at the Broadwater site in Biloxi, but work is under way to restore the Broadwater Marina for public use and future economic development.
The marina south of U.S. 90 was damaged during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and again by Hurricane Zeta in 2020. It is part of the plans for an amenity at a proposed casino resort north of U.S. 90.
Restoring the marina will take 15 months, according to a press release from Secretary of State Michael Watson, and the marina will be closed to the public while work is under way.
Mississippi has $9.6 million available from the Restore Act, paid from BP damages for the 2010 oil spill, from GOMESA funds collected from off-shore oil and gas leases and from Tidelands Fund, paid by casinos and some other waterfront businesses in South Mississippi. The work is expected to cost $7 million.
Final engineering and design was completed in December 2023. The project went to bid in April. The contract was awarded in July. Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued notice to proceed on Sept. 24 and the project began Oct. 21. Work is scheduled to be complete in early 2026.
Extensive work is planned
The work includes:
Restoring the marina walls — The most critical part of the restoration of the 13-acre property south of U.S. 90 will be to repair the failing outside walls and the marina bulkhead.
The southern perimeter bulkhead needs to be stabilized to prevent any further soil loss. The marina bulkhead on the northwestern side will be restored to prevent settlement of the surrounding soil and pavement.
These repairs will secure the perimeter of the marina and protect the infrastructure from future tropical storms. The work is funded largely by GOMESA, which is collected by Mississippi on off-shore gas and oil leases.
Repairing stormwater collection — The site’s damaged drainage system will be repaired and new stormwater detention and treatment systems will be installed. Together they will capture water runoff from the site and filter out impurities before the water is released into the Mississippi Sound.
Earthwork and breakwater repairs will address damage caused by wave action and erosion from storms. A concrete scour pad will be installed around the perimeter to prevent soil loss and protect the bulkheads from future storms to ensure safety of public access. The timber breakwater, which is designed to reduce wave impact from the southwest, also will be repaired.
What this means for South MS
The marina has been a favorite place for individuals and families to fish and watch the sunset, even after it was damaged by hurricanes.
“The Broadwater Marina Restoration Project exemplifies Mississippi’s commitment to environmental stewardship, public safety and economic development,” Watson said.
“With the support of federal and state funding, this initiative will restore a vital community resource while preparing it for safe and sustainable future use.” he said.
This story was originally published November 7, 2024 at 3:20 PM.
