BILOXI, MS – The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office has launched an extensive restoration project for the Broadwater Marina, a historic 30-acre state-owned property on the Gulf Coast in Biloxi. Located south of Highway 90, the site will undergo significant upgrades to infrastructure, public safety, and environmental resilience, marking an important step in the state’s ongoing coastal restoration efforts.
The Broadwater Marina site has long been a landmark on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Originally opened in 1939 as part of the Broadwater Beach Resort, the area was once home to the President Casino Broadwater Resort, which operated on a riverboat and drew tourism revenue until it closed just before Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2005. Over the years, the property has seen various attempts at revitalization but remains best known for its legacy as a social and entertainment hub.
Funded by federal and state programs such as the RESTORE Act, GOMESA, and Mississippi’s Tidelands Trust Fund, the Broadwater Marina restoration project focuses on repairing damages from hurricanes, including Katrina and Zeta. Key improvements include strengthening the marina’s bulkheads and perimeter to protect against future storms, enhancing water quality systems, and upgrading stormwater management to combat erosion.
Secretary of State Michael Watson emphasized the importance of this project, noting that it reflects “Mississippi’s commitment to environmental stewardship, public safety, and economic development.”
The project’s estimated 15-month timeline means the marina will remain closed to the public during construction. When completed, Broadwater Marina is expected to provide updated facilities that can support recreational activities and future economic opportunities, reconnecting the site to its historic role as a Gulf Coast destination.
