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County approves purchase of parcels near Mississippi Coast Coliseum as match for federal grant
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Summary
Supervisors approved purchase of two more parcels for the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Commission, bringing county-owned property to nine of 17 parcels; $1.53 million has been used as match toward a $6.5 million project request.
Supervisors approved an order authorizing the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Commission to purchase two parcels adjacent to its parking area, bringing the commission’s county-owned total to nine of 17 targeted parcels.
A commission representative told the board the purchases have been made with coliseum funds and total about $1,530,000 to date. The purchases serve as the county’s match for a Gulf Coast Restoration Fund (GCRF) grant the commission is seeking; the representative said the total project cost is expected to be about $6.5 million and that the coliseum’s $1.53 million satisfies the matching requirement.
Initially the land will be used for additional parking, the representative said, but future boards may consider other uses — including hotel or retail development or a potential site for a new arena. The representative also noted that appraisals were not obtained for the two parcels being approved at this meeting because prior purchases established a price range; he described the acquisitions as "really only buying dirt." The board moved, seconded and approved the purchase order.
The record shows the structures on the parcels will be torn down and that the commission intends to use the land for parking at least initially. The board did not discuss specific demolition or environmental-remediation plans during the item.
