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New Biloxi ballpark draws interest from developers

Caillavet Park

Developers are looking at new ventures near a new Biloxi ballpark set to open in 2015, as long-ignored properties are in play.

With the Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) on the way to a move to a new Biloxi ballpark in 2015, there’s been interest in investments in the ballpark area, reports Jerry Creel, Biloxi’s community development director. The prospect of 400,000 or so fans descending on the area for baseball and concerts certainly has developers interested in the ballpark area next to the Beau Rivage casino. Properties that have been ignored for years are drawing interest from developers, with a new projects already underway, according the Sun Herald:

Creel said developers are considering hotels, restaurants, entertainment, assisted living and residential in the downtown, but it’s too early to release any details.

“All of it seems to be tied to the baseball stadium,” he said.

The old Santa Maria del Mar apartments across from the Small Craft Harbor in downtown couldn’t be sold until the new senior housing was completed in North Biloxi. Now an architectural firm is drawing up specifications for a company to clean out the interior and Creel said, “I’ve been contacted by four different developers that say they have bids on the property.”

The ballpark is not a done deal, but it’s pretty darned close. Last week it was announced that veteran MiLB operator Ken Young would be buying the Huntsville Stars from Miles Prentice, who will retain a minority share of the team. The Biloxi City Council has a ballpark financing plan in place but had not yet sold bonds, waiting to ensure a team was actually on the way. With the purchase of the Stars, the city is expected to move ahead with a bond sale of $21 million.

RELATED STORIES: It’s official: Huntsville Stars sold, expected to move to Biloxi in 2015; Biloxi sets up ballpark spending, contingent on team purchase; Biloxi approves new-ballpark financing funding; team set to play in 2015; Young: New ballpark will spark downtown Biloxi growth; Consultant: Biloxi ballpark site would be a winner; Biloxi: Let’s slow down new-ballpark plan; New Biloxi ballpark could slip to 2015; Biloxi petition drive falls short; council to study bond rates; Proposed Biloxi ballpark draws opposition; rally set for today; Biloxi group wants referendum on new ballpark; Bennett, Young, Bryant unveil plans for new Biloxi ballpark; Bennett: We can open Biloxi ballpark in 2014; Biloxi commits to borrowing $21 million for new ballpark; Another run at affiliated ball in Biloxi; Talk about Biloxi ballpark emerges again

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