A plan to allow a proposed casino development access to the community’s golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and airport could bring in as much as $683,000 a year for the POA, but some residents are opposed.
A plan proposed by the Diamondhead (Miss.) Property Owners Association to allow a proposed casino development access to the community’s amenities for its customers is getting the cold shoulder from some Diamondhead residents, the Biloxi (Miss.)-based WLOX 13 reported.
The POA says the plan could mean millions of dollars for the community, but some residents are concerned about cost to them. At the Property Owner’s Association meeting on Wednesday, residents showed up to hear about the proposed plan, WLOX reported.
“We’re not going to sell anything. We’re not going to give anything away,” said Marshall Kyger, President of the POA.
The proposed agreement would give Jacobs Entertainment customers use of the golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools at the marina and the airport. The deal also makes land near the Harbor House Restaurant available for parking, WLOX reported.
“They would pay us $50,000 a year for the privilege of leasing that land,” Kyger said.
For use of the amenities, Jacobs would pay the POA around $100,000 a year for three years. If the casino receives gaming commission approval and is opened, the POA could receive as much as $683,000 a year, WLOX reported.
“Take some time to study this. This is an amazing deal,” Kyger said.
Some Diamondhead residents aren’t so sure. “I think it’s a terrible idea,” said resident Jim Beckham.
“President Kyger said that the POA doesn’t take a stand on the casino, but that’s really not true. Because the casino couldn’t get approval at all without the amenities, so for us to turn our amenities over for their use is saying we want the casino in here,” said resident Molly Kooney.
Other residents say casino guests would crowd their amenities and drive up the costs to maintain them, WLOX reported.
“Once a casino is in here, they will take control of not only the golf courses, but they will take control of all of our amenities. We can’t compete with a casino’s restaurant, there goes our country club,” said resident C.J. Longanecker.
Diamondhead residents will get a chance to let POA leaders know what they think about the proposal at a town hall meeting next Tuesday, WLOX reported.
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