The proposed Black Marlin Casino took a step forward when the Biloxi City Council approved a zoning change for the project, but the move was met with opposition over the removal of protected trees at the Mississippi waterfront site.
Biloxi Casino Plan Wins Approval, Allowing Removal of 28 Protected Trees
The council voted 5 to 1 on October 6 to rezone seven parcels near Beach Boulevard and Veterans Avenue. The ruling clears the way for the project to move ahead locally, although the casino still needs additional state approval before it can open, reported WLOX.
The vote also allows for the removal of 28 protected trees, including 25 mature live oaks and three magnolias. The decision was met with criticism from residents worried about the loss of trees that help maintain the natural character of the area.
Community members brought signs to the meeting opposing the removal. They had urged council members to reject the zoning measure and rethink the effect on the protected trees.
The controversy erupted after a September 3 decision by the Biloxi Planning Commission, which unanimously approved the development’s master plan, zoning changes and tree removal request. An arborist’s assessment said 18 of the 28 trees were in poor condition and seven were in fair health, the report said.
City officials considered the proposal in light of the assessment. However, opponents remained opposed to the decision, saying the mature trees should be saved whenever possible.
Black Marlin Casino Still Needs State Approval Before December Deadline
Preston Martin, who helped organize opposition, said the project’s architect had discussed revisions to the site plan at a hearing on October 6. The developer had made some changes to save more trees and was still willing to relocate some mature specimens, Martin said.
The council has set conditions for RW Development to wait at least 10 days before it can start cutting down trees. The company also must make up the loss by planting 209 replacement trees, contributing to Biloxi’s tree fund or a combination of the two approaches.
The project is planned for 1820 Beach Blvd. Earlier project descriptions have called for a casino of 43,800 square feet, a hotel with 300 rooms, dining spots, and parking for 668 vehicles. The wider property scheme will also include retail and other hospitality facilities.
Local businessman Ray Wooldridge is president of RW Development, which is partnering with Encompass, a Kentucky-based casino design and construction company. The proposed investment has been previously reported at about $3 million.
Even if it gets the city’s approval, there is a regulatory deadline for the project. The Mississippi Gaming Commission approved the site for casino development in December 2023, but that approval expires on December 22, 2026, unless extended. The commission has to look at the latest proposal and finish the licensing process.
In other news, Tullis Gardens Hotel and Casino, an alternate casino plan for Biloxi, took a step forward in June when a circuit court judge affirmed its site approval. However, another legal battle over the city’s right to lease that waterfront property was not yet settled.
The council’s latest vote takes away a major local obstacle for Black Marlin. However, state licensing requirements and ongoing public opposition continue to be big obstacles for RW Development as it moves forward with plans to build the casino resort in Biloxi.