Page 10 - Explore Biloxi ~ Visitor's Guide

With the arrival of Edgewater Mall and the exodus of anchor stores to the climate- controlled mall, the city in the 1970s, not unlike other communities across the country, attempted to transform downtown into an outdoor mall, closing many streets in favor of pedestrian traffic. The Urban Renewal project spawned the newly-designed Vieux Marche Mall downtown with steel canopies that obliterated the facades of the remaining downtown businesses and historic buildings.
Decades later, this section of Howard Avenue was reopened to vehicular one-way traffic on a roadbed that was more akin to a driveway instead of a city street. In 2019, the city restored two-way traffic to Howard Avenue, now a refurbished brick roadway between Reynoir and Main Streets.
For Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, “restoring Howard Avenue was the linchpin in the effort to revitalize Downtown Biloxi.” The section of Howard between Reynoir and Lameuse was once the heart of Downtown Biloxi, lined with clothing stores, movie theaters, and bars. Today, the area is a hub of activity with new businesses, lodging, and residential
venues. The old Barq’s building at the northeast corner of Howard and Reynoir Street, (yes, Barq’s root beer was invented in Biloxi) is being renovated. Soon, you will see new restaurants, shops, and second-floor living offered
at this newly-restored location.
Biloxi has become a booming tourism and gaming destination with amusement and entertainment venues, casinos, retail stores, boardwalks, walkways, and top-notch restaurants with the best seafood around. It
is a city that still celebrates
its amazing history, diverse culture, numerous parades, especially during Mardi Gras, and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It is a safe, friendly, beautiful city with much to offer!
10 EXPLORE BILOXI
www.biloxi.ms.us
The recently restored Howard Avenue is a hub of activity