Moving Forward on the Keesler Gate Project

The new gate at Keesler Air Force Base may mean a ray of hope for business owners affected by the torn up roads in East Biloxi. The million dollar project was a big topic at today’s Biloxi City Council meeting.
It’s estimated at nearly $40 million and the City of Biloxi is now one step closer to making the project happen. City of Biloxi Public Affair Manager Vincent Creel said, “You will have direct access to Keesler Air Force Base with the new main gate.”
Mayor FoFo Gilich is offering up a deal with the United States Air Force. The City Council approved the measure at Tuesday’s meeting. Gilich’s letter to the secretary of the Air Force concerns six properties on Forrest Avenue at the end of Division to make way for the new Keesler Air Force Entrance to be built. “There is a memorandum of understanding that is needed with the MDA to move it forward,” said Mayor Gilich.
The City of Biloxi already hired an appraiser to decide on a fair market value per house. “We think it’s going to bring economic vitality to Division, as well as giving Keesler a new main entrance,” said Creel.
City officials say the new entrance will create a lot of traffic between Forrest and Division, which could be very beneficial to local businesses and new development in the area. Manager of Desportes and Sons Seafood Frank Menna said, “It will definitely increase our business. We can’t wait for them to get done, especially with everything that’s been going on right now. It’s been down so much.”
With all of the construction and Division Street detours, Menna says the seafood market has seen a big dip in sales. The city’s move on the Keesler gate is bringing him hope. He hopes that the more cars passing by to get to the gate may mean more stopping at Deportes and Sons Seafood, bringing business back. “We look forward to it. Hopefully, they get it done sooner than later,” said Mena.
Now the gate is one step closer. No approvements were made on the board walk project and waterfront development which were also on the agenda.