Point Cadet development group takes its pitch to the people

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 11:45 a.m.

Point Cadet 2000 held a public forum Wednesday on its revitalization plan in Biloxi. The group wants to build on Point Cadet, a piece of property regarded by some to be the most valuable in the state.

To pull it off, the group needs to get the support of the State College Board, which owns most of the land, and the city of Biloxi, which owns or controls most of the land through leases with the state. That's why Point Cadet 2000 is trying to sell residents on their plan.

"Everybody wants to do what the community wants to do because it's public land," Jennifer Diaz, project manager for Point Cadet 2000, told a crowd of about 50. "What we want to do is find out what you want to do with your property."

The centerpiece of the plan would be a facility to replace the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center. The center would be covered with art by a marine artist, Wyland, who also wants to build a museum on Point Cadet to house his work and that of other artists. Also planned are a conference center and IMAX theater.

Diaz said the group had no plans to take property through the courts and doubted whether city leaders would endorse such a plan.

She said Point Cadet 2000 plans to ask the College Board to give the development group exclusive rights to develop the property. A recent land-use study of Point Cadet prepared for the College Board recommended the construction of a casino on the property.