Biloxi projects
This month, Mayor A.J. Holloway gave a quick rundown on some of the Biloxi casino projects.* Top two on list were added by me. Looks like the Casinos in Biloxi will be going very strong now and in the future.
Property
Project Description

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (MGM)
The Largest Employer in Biloxi puts 3,800 Employees Back to Work just 12 months after Katrina on Aug. 29, 2006. Beau Rivage currently features 1,740 guest rooms and suites, a redesigned casino, seven restaurants, four lounges and bars, seven retail venues, spa and salon, pool and convention center. Additional restaurants, retail outlets and attractions will be introduced throughout the fourth quarter of 2006. Completely enhanced architecture and interior design scheme boasting contemporary ambiance infused with the resort's signature southern charm and elegance, Redesigned casino floor including a new poker room, state-of-the-art gaming areas and a stylish high-limit room, Enhanced atrium and lobby area, Redesigned guest rooms and suites with fresh, modern decor a spa and salon with an expanded service menu, New casino lounge -- Breeze Bar -- located at the heart of the action, 50,000-square-foot meeting and convention facility, Three new gourmet restaurants scheduled to open in December, including celebrity chef Todd English's Olives and Fallen Oak Golf Course, designed by Tom Fazio, scheduled to open in November 2006.

Grand Casino/Casino Magic Site (HET)
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. along with world-renowned singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett, unveiled plans for a new Gulf Coast destination; Margaritaville Casino & Resort. The project is expected to cost more than $700 million. The company expects this to be the first phase of a development that may cost more than $1 billion. It will be developed on 46 acres of land south of U.S. Highway 90 formerly occupied by Grand Casino and Casino Magic. With a start date of summer 2007, the project features include: Approximately 100,000 square feet of casino floor, 250,000 square feet of retail space, Approximately 66,000 square feet of meeting space, 420 new hotel rooms, 378 renovated hotel rooms, Pool deck area with cabanas, bar, and tropical landscaping, Full-service Spa and Spring 2010 projected completion date.

Hard Rock
Property set for 7-7-07 opening, nearly two years after Katrina interrupted plans to open just days later. The Hard Rock is located adjacent to the Beau Rivage.

Treasure Bay
The casino used to be located on a pirate ship, which was destroyed by Katrina. Today, the property is operating with a mere 6,817 square feet of gaming space and 331 slots. The property is working on a new casino with a projected opening around the same time as the Hard Rock.

Bacaran Bay
Torguson's $600 million project is located just off I-110 somewhere in between the Imperial Palace and Beau Rivage. The property will include over 600 suites and 534 condominiums, and will be a part of the Caillavet Street revitalization project.

Imperial Palace
The IP was one of the first three casinos to return to the Biloxi market, reopening in December 2005. The casino has acquired 25 acres around its site for future growth.

Bayview Casino Resort
A new casino property to be located next to Boomtown on Back Bay that will include a 55,000 square foot casino and a 500-room hotel.

Boomtown Biloxi (PENN)
Penn National's Boomtown has acquired 23 acres of land for use in an expansion project. The property currently does not include a hotel and, in fact, is the only casino in the market without one.

Palace Casino
Along with the IP and Isle of Capri, Palace reopened in December 2005, though with limited capacity (26,260 square feet of gaming space, 836 slots, and 14 table games). The property is working on a $10 million, 20,000 square foot addition to the gaming floor scheduled for completion this fall, and is working on a preliminary master plan that would include 140,000 square feet of elevated space and a new 400-room hotel tower.

Isle of Capri Biloxi (ISLE)
The new and improved Isle of Capri is working on a $180 million expansion that will expand gaming space to over 100,000 square feet. The company also acquired land adjacent to the property for future expansion.

*Most of the information written By Jeff Hwang May 14, 2007