Proposed Development Concerns Biloxi Residents

A proposed hotel development has some residents in a historic neighborhood in Biloxi up in arms. As News 25’s Kristen Durand reports, homeowners on Seal Avenue say they’re not against progress. They just hope new developments in their neighborhood will match the area’s historical integrity.
Leslie Johnson has lived in her home on Seal Avenue when she was in third grade. Her house and many others on Seal Avenue are over 100 years old. Residents says that a proposed hotel development could threaten the historical integrity of their neighborhood. “There’s so few historical areas left. Katrina washed so many of our memories away and we are trying to retain the flavor of our neighborhood and the spirit of our neighborhood,” said Johnson.
The proposed hotel is the La Quinta Inn, residents say its generic façade will stand out like a sore thumb. The site of the proposed hotel at Hopkins Avenue and Highway 90 sits right at the edge of Seal Avenue neighborhood. Residents want to be clear, they’re not against development in Biloxi, they just want to be sure any building reflects the historical nature and flavor of their community. “We are not against progress. We know things are coming in. We want development. We want to be part of Biloxi. We want Biloxi to grow,” said Johnson.
Ryan Canon is also a resident of Seal Avenue. He said, “We’re just wanting to hold businesses that come in to a higher standard. We don’t want to lower our standards to simply let anyone in.”
Canon and his family were drawn to the neighborhood about two years ago when they moved into their home, which once belonged to the wife of Jefferson Davis. He says while the look of the La Quinta Inn fits guidelines of the historical commission, he doesn’t agree. “When I asked them what was historical about it, I was simply told that I don’t get to ask questions,” said Canon.
That’s why Canon is appealing to Biloxi City Council members, who say they’re trying to balance the wishes of residents as well as the rights of the developer and ultimately what is best for the city. City of Biloxi Public Affairs Manager Vincent Creel said, “They want to build closer to the highway than we allow. They want to build closer to the road than we allow. They want to decrease the size of the buffer zone between them and the neighborhood. Those are three variances that city hall would have to grant if this project is going to move forward.”