Coliseum land-lease bill approved

The Sun Herald, 3/6/8

The Legislature has approved a bill that would allow the Mississippi Coast Coliseum to lease or exchange its surplus properties, as officials hope to attract a hotel to the site so the area has a better shot of landing big conventions.

The bill was passed in the Senate last week, and Wednesday, the House approved it. Now the bill goes to Gov. Haley Barbour for his signature.

Sen. Tommy Gollott, R-Biloxi, who pushed the bill with several other South Mississippi legislators, told the Sun Herald last week that Coliseum officials had asked for the legislation. Coliseum officials said they hope to lure a hotel to the southeast corner of the property near the intersection of U.S. 90 and Beauvoir Road.