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THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2000
THE SEA COAST ECHO • HANCOCK TODAY
tist’s conception of the original plans for Paradise Bay Casino, courtesy of nix Leisure Inc. When the project was first announced, Phoenix Leisure offi-wanted to build a hotel and create a new sand beach at the site.
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BY ED LEPOMA Staff Writer
Jubilee and Jubilation casinos may be long gone, but a brand new gaming facility will soon fill the void they left behind.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission earlier this month approved licensing for Phoenix Leisure Corp., which plans to revive gambling on an already-approved site at Bayou Caddy.
The commission issued a finding of suitability for each of the Las Vegas-based Company's officers, directors and major registered shareholders.
Phoenix Leisure's Chairman and President Eric Nelson also announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given the go-ahead to allow dredging for the permanent mooring site for the 23,000-square-foot, four story-tall gambling boat it now has docked at the Port Bienville Industrial Park.
Nelson said the firm plans to move the vessel to the Bayou Caddy site after it signs a Tidelands leaae with the Mississippi Secretary of State's office.
"This is a significant milestone for our company and shareholders," said Nelson.
"It represents the first time the company has received a gaming license in any jurisdiction."
Nelson said, "The recommendations for licensure allows the company to implement its casino development plans in order to obtain a formal operating license prior to opening a gaming establishment."
He explained the Mississippi Gaming Commission must complete a final inspection of the gaming vessel and review compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations before giving final approval to open.
Nelson said the Corps of Engineers permit, along with permits already obtained from the state Department of Marine Resources and the state Department of Environmental Quality, gives Phoenix Leisure the opportunity to begin site work preparations for its proposed gambling resort.
Although final design plans have not been revealed to the media, Phoenix Leisure told the Echo in early June it planned to build a resort hotel, pump in a sand beach, and make other improvements to the Bayou Caddy site off Lakeshore Road and Beach Boulevard.
Previously, the Gaming Commission had approved preliminary plans for either a 72-room hotel or one that would have 205 rooms.
However, Nelson told Gaming Commission members the firm has modified its original development and would now go with a 72-room facility.
"We believe the reduced debt risk makes better business sense in an environment of increased competition along the Gulf Coast," said Nelson's press release. "We're confident that we can expand later and demonstrate the long-term viability of the Bayou Caddy site to traditional lenders once we're up and running."
The complex would be called the Paradis Bay C«5icr- and
Additionally. uw iiancock County Board vi	has
offered to elevate the beach roadway at Lakeshore Road all the way to the gambling site to eliminate flooding when southeast winds bring high water that covers the roadway.
Initial estimates are the new gambling resort planned by Phoenix Leisure would create about 900 jobs and bring in an annual $2 million in tax revenues into Hancock County.
Nelson said the construction process would start within 60 to 90 days, and the gambling operations could be up and running within 12 to 18 months.
Phoenix Leisure is an emerging developer and operator of niche opportunities in the gaming, hospitality and entertainment industry. It currently owns the Wyoming Downs horse racetrack in Evanstown, Wyoming and four offtrack simulcasting facilities.
Nelson previously developed dockside gaming facilities in Greenville and in Tunica.
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