South City of D’Iberville
Directly south of Keesler AFB lies single family residences in Biloxi, as well as
Biloxi Junior High School, Old Biloxi Cementery, and churches. Irish Hill Drive
and the CSX Transportation rail line run east to west, abutting the south end
of the installation. United States Highway 90 is a main thoroughfare that
runs west to east along the southern part of Biloxi, by the coastline. Directly
south of the highway is the stretch of beach, which has restaurants located
along the waterfront. Much of the restaurants and attractions along the
beach were destroyed by Katrina and have since been restored. The beach
provides public access to the Mississippi Sound, which connects to the Gulf of
Mexico. Northeast of the installation lies the City of D’Iberville, intersected by 1‐10
and I‐110. D’Iberville has plans to develop the waterfront into commercial
and mixed‐use in the proposed French Market District, which was once the
Old Town. The French Market District is proposed to be a transit oriented
development (TOD), melding Coast Transit Authority (CTA) services, diverse
housing types, and commercial development. The CTA transit center on
Central Avenue and Rodriguez Street supports businesses in the district and
provides connectivity between D’Iberville and Biloxi. Housing opportunities
in the French Market District will include affordable rentals. The district
considers growth in the area and can accommodate a diverse population,
including those who train or work at Keesler AFB. This redevelopment of the
Old Town would act as a town center. The square is proposed on
Central Avenue and Rodriguez Street.
West
West of Keesler AFB is a mix of single family residential and commercial
development in Biloxi. Popp’s Ferry Bridge connects the southern end of
Biloxi to the northern end across the Back Bay.
Projected Study Area Growth
City of Biloxi
Today, growth areas in Biloxi include Woolmarket, which is located north of
the Back Bay, north of I‐10 and east of Mississippi Highway 67. This area,
which was annexed by the City of Biloxi in 1999, has historically been
agricultural and forested land. Seventy‐six percent of undeveloped land that
does not have environmental constraints associated with it, such as
floodplain and wetlands are located in the Woolmarket area. This area is
slated for an increase in low‐density residential development.
In Brief
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is in the midst of long‐term redevelopment from
the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The attraction of living near the water
and enjoying the coastal quality of life has generated new interest and
increasing investment in development across the coast, including the JLUS
study area. This is perfect timing for the JLUS to assist the local governments
in guiding the land uses most appropriate to sustain the mission of Keesler
AFB.
The Woolmarket Regional Activity Center is also being proposed in the area
at I‐10 and Mississippi Highway 67. These uses will include high intensity
commercial and residential development. Another growth area in Biloxi is
the Cedar Lake Regional Activity Center, which is located at I‐10 at
Cedar Lake Road. This will be a mixed‐use development area, including
commercial, institutional and high‐density residential areas.
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JLUS Report