GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) — New businesses are moving into vacant buildings along Pass Road after a bus tour aimed at revitalizing the corridor.
The Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation teamed up with Mississippi Power and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in April for the Pass Road Possibilities Tour. Developers, investors and city leaders boarded a bus to see vacant properties along the corridor firsthand.
Vacant buildings seen as opportunities
Bobby Gillon, president of the Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation, said vacant storefronts and aging buildings have become common along Pass Road.
“It just feels blighted. You’ve got vacant properties dotting the road in both cities,” Gillon said.
“The longer buildings sit vacant, sit empty, sit unattended, uncared for, it just looks rundown. It’s not a benefit to anybody in the community,” Gillon said.
Gillon said the tour was organized so participants could discuss ways to improve the corridor.
“And just have some discussions about what can we do to improve this major corridor in both of our cities,” Gillon said.
Two properties change hands
Gillon said two properties have been picked up by people who participated in the tour.
Local developer Carter Allen recently purchased a former Wendy’s building on Pass Road. The building had been vacant and still needs work.
“So I saw this iconic Wendy’s building as an opportunity and really wanted to take an investment and take a chance and then bring something really nice to the community that’s an essential service,” Allen said.
“Having this tour really opened up my eyes as a young developer, to come in here take the reins and the baton from the investors that were before us,” Allen said.
Allen did not reveal what business is planned for the site. He is aiming to have it open by February 2027.
Office space finds new life
Another stop on the April tour, a property known as the Meeting Place, has already found new use. It is the third location owned by Geneva Dumar and offers office suites for small businesses.
“We’re standing at the meeting place, this is the third location owned by Geneva Dumar,” Gillon said.
Gillon said the Meeting Place reflects what the tour was designed to encourage.
“She’s looking at, what are the needs of the business community, and how can we make this more accessible,” Gillon said.
Organizers said another Pass Road Possibilities Tour has not been scheduled for next year. They said they are still gathering information and measuring the results of April’s tour.
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