Council hears update on Broadwater cleanup; CSX says it could clear property if owner does not

Councilmembers requested updates on cleanup work at the Broadwater property and surrounding parcels at the Biloxi City Council meeting on March 17.

Councilmember Newman asked when Broadwater would be cleared and whether the city had authority to remove people or material. City staff said they had met with CSX and that CSX had set a deadline for occupants to vacate; staff reported CSX told them it would clear the property if the owner did not but said the federal-railroad company’s internal procedures could make the work slow.

"CSX, their deadline, I think, is tomorrow for everybody to be off the property," a city staff member told the council. "He told us that, if the property owner did not clean the property, CSX would do it. But he also told us that it wouldn't be quick, that the hoops that he has to jump through are time consuming." The staff member added that city staff had been actively working the issue prior to CSX’s stated deadline.

Councilmembers also asked about the broader west-side area of Broadwater. A separate operations update indicated the contractor’s equipment is being repaired; when that equipment is returned staff said crews would begin clearing the west side.

Several councilmembers and speakers praised recent cleanup work on nearby Pass Road but warned litter and illegal dumping have reappeared in places. A resident noted cleanup progress had been followed by new trash and asked that the city continue enforcement and, where appropriate, charge property owners.

City staff did not provide a firm completion date for full clearing of Broadwater’s west side and said timing depended on equipment repairs and CSX procedures. The council did not take a formal vote on the Broadwater cleanup at the meeting.

The city indicated it will continue coordination with CSX and property owners and will update the council as work progresses.