Council approves amended lease and consent agreement for Biloxi Capital pier and casino project; state objects

The Biloxi City Council unanimously approved a resolution amending a prior authorization to enter a lease and consent agreement with Biloxi Capital LLC for a waterfront development that includes a publicly accessible pier and a proposed casino-hotel complex.

Biloxi Capital and partners have proposed a waterfront project on approximately 32 acres including a hotel (about 1,300 rooms) and roughly 100,000 square feet of gaming. Under the council action, the company will construct and maintain a public pier; Biloxi Capital is responsible for construction, maintenance, insurance and utilities on the pier and will make in-lieu payments to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office as required by statute.

Nut graf: The council approved the amended resolution despite formal written objections from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office arguing the disposition of trust property must follow state law and fair-market rules; city attorneys and proponents said the city has authority under precedent (Long Beach…