Biloxi City Council Approves Rezoning Resolution for RW Development's Black Marlin Casino

The Biloxi City Council voted 5-1 in early October 2026 to approve a rezoning resolution that clears the path for RW Development to move forward with its Black Marlin Casino project at 1820 Beach Boulevard along U.S. 90 and Veterans Avenue in Biloxi, Mississippi, and this decision came after the Planning Commission delivered a unanimous recommendation earlier in the process while the council addressed specific concerns about environmental impacts on the 11-acre site.

Project plans call for a 119,000-square-foot resort that features a casino floor, a 300-room hotel, dedicated food and retail space plus additional guest amenities, and the rezoning approval allows the developer to proceed with these elements on land currently zoned in a way that required the change before construction could begin.

Project Details and Site Specifications

The 11-acre parcel sits directly along the Biloxi waterfront corridor, and RW Development has outlined a mixed-use layout that integrates gaming operations with lodging and dining facilities in a single complex designed to serve both local residents and visitors traveling the Gulf Coast region.

City records show the rezoning resolution passed with one dissenting vote after council members reviewed traffic studies, drainage reports and land-use compatibility assessments, and the measure now moves the project into the next phase of permitting and design finalization.

Planning Commission Review and Tree Mitigation Requirements

The Planning Commission had already endorsed the rezoning without opposition during its prior meeting, and that recommendation provided the foundation for the council's 5-1 decision while highlighting how the developer must meet strict conditions before any site clearing occurs.

One key condition involves the removal of 28 protected trees currently standing on the property, and the approved plan requires RW Development to plant 209 new trees or contribute an equivalent amount to a city-managed fund that supports urban forestry efforts across Biloxi, with the mitigation package designed to offset the loss of mature vegetation on the waterfront parcel.

A mandatory 10-day waiting period will also follow the rezoning approval before any tree removal can start, giving city staff time to inspect the site and confirm that all mitigation commitments remain in place before work crews begin.

Council Discussion and Public Input Process

During the council meeting, members heard from residents and business owners who raised questions about tree preservation and traffic flow along the busy U.S. 90 corridor, and the final vote reflected a balance between economic development goals and the environmental safeguards written into the resolution.

The 5-1 outcome demonstrates that the majority of council members found the mitigation measures sufficient to address the primary concerns raised during public comment, while the single opposing vote recorded the view that additional protections or studies might still be warranted before full approval.

Next Steps for the Black Marlin Project

With the rezoning now secured, RW Development can advance detailed engineering drawings and submit applications for building permits, and the 10-day waiting period tied to tree removal gives the city and the developer a defined window to coordinate inspections and finalize the planting or fund contribution schedule.

State and local gaming regulators will still conduct separate reviews of the casino component before any gaming floor can open, and those processes run parallel to teh municipal approvals already granted by the Biloxi City Council.

Conclusion

The October 2026 rezoning approval marks a concrete step forward for the Black Marlin Casino project on Biloxi's Beach Boulevard, and the conditions attached to the 5-1 vote ensure that tree mitigation and site preparation follow a structured timeline before construction begins in earnest.