Biloxi’s Lighthouse Pier has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt repeatedly, with each design carrying its own price tag. From the relatively modest construction cost of $108,688 in 1983 to today's $5 million proposal by Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, the financial history of this historic landmark raises questions.
How much has Biloxi actually spent on the Lighthouse Pier over the last 4 decades and how do those costs compare when adjusted for inflation? What justifies the extraordinary price of today's proposal when the entire cost to build and rebuild the Lighthouse Pier, multiple times, since it was constructed in 1983 is, after adjusting for inflation, $1,639,827 in 2026 dollars?
Hubbell's Pier
$108,688 in 1983 ($380,139 in 2026)
In 1974, William Hubbell began a nine-year effort to rebuild the Lighthouse Pier after its destruction in 1947. Construction was completed in May 1983, with the pier opening on 4 June 1983. The pier was designed and engineered by Gerald Hopkins & Gerald Pitalo of Pitalo Engineering Co. at a cost of just $6,300. Construction was financed through a combination of federal and city funds.
Hubbell's Pier was built by J.O. Collins Contractors, Inc. at a cost $108,688, with $60,000 in federal Coastal Energy Impact Program (CEIP) grant funds, $30,000 in Community Development funds, and $18,688 in additional City funding. Adjusted for inflation, the $108,688 construction cost is equivalent to $380,139 in 2026 dollars.
The Community Development funds were approved by Biloxi's Development Commission (Chapter 2, Article V of Biloxi's Ordinances), which is currently vacant. If you are interested in becoming a commissioner, contact the Mayor's Office at mayor@biloxi.ms.us.
Hurricane Elena
$49,900 in 1986 ($153,406 in 2026)
Hurricane Elena passed through Biloxi on 2 September 1985, taking with it the decking of Lighthouse Pier. On 1 April 1986, Biloxi's City Council approved a $49,900 contract with J.O. Collins Contractor, Inc., to repair the damaged pier. Work began that April, and by October 1986, the repairs were complete, approximately 13 months after the hurricane. The actual repair process took approximately 6 months and, adjusted for inflation, the $49,900 repair cost is equivalent to $153,406 in 2026 dollars.
Tropical Storm Isidore & Hurricane Lili
$127,303 in 2003 ($233,512 in 2026)
Tropical Storm Isidore struck Biloxi on 26 September 2002 followed by Hurricane Lili on 3 October 2002, causing extensive damage to Lighthouse Pier, which was already in need of maintenance before the storm. The pier remained closed for approximately 14 months before reopening in November 2003 following $127,303 in repairs. Adjusted for inflation, the $127,303 repair cost is equivalent to $233,512 in 2026 dollars.
Engineering services for these repairs cost $11,681 and were provided by Wink, Incorporated. On 12 August 2003, Biloxi's City Council approved the pier repair contract with Bay South Unlimited, LLC. Despite the pier being closed for more than a year, repairs were completed and the pier reopened just 3 months after the City Council approved the contract.
Hurricane Katrina
$357,804.62 in 2011 ($535,962 in 2026)
Hurricane Katrina devastated Biloxi on 29 August 2005, once again destroying Lighthouse Pier. The pier remained closed for approximately 5 years and 4 months before finally reopening on 10 January 2011. The rebuilt 865-foot pier featured a gazebo, lighting for nighttime fishing, and a lowered fishing deck at its end.
Wink, Inc., provided the design and engineering services for the reconstruction, while K.R. Borries Construction, Inc., performed the construction work. Following the third and final change order on 30 November 2010, the total construction cost reached $357,804.62. Adjusted for inflation, that amount is equivalent to approximately $535,962 in 2026 dollars.
Hurricane Isaac
$82,947.06 in 2013 ($119,971 in 2026)
Hurricane Isaac damaged Lighthouse Pier in August 2012 by destroying the fishing head (t-head). On 19 February 2013, Biloxi's City Council authorized a $14,280 contract with Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, LLC, for engineering design and bidding services. The repairs were performed by Twin L. Construction, Inc., at a cost of $82,947.06, separate from the design contract. The entire pier reopened in January 2014, approximately 16 months after the hurricane. Adjusted for inflation, the $82,947.06 construction cost is equivalent to approximately $119,971 in 2026 dollars.
Hurricane Nate
$161,599 in 2018 ($216,837 in 2026)
Hurricane Nate struck Biloxi on the night of 7 October 2017, damaging Lighthouse Pier's decking, railings, and fishing platform, forcing its closure once again. On 24 April 2018, Biloxi's City Council awarded the repair contract to J.E. Borries Construction, Inc. Following approximately 9 months of closure, the pier reopened to the public on 18 July 2018, less than 3 months after the contract was awarded. The total repair cost reached $161,599, equivalent to approximately $216,837 in 2026 dollars.
Tropical Storm Cristobal & Hurricane Zeta
Up to $5 Million Proposed
Tropical Storm Cristobal damaged Lighthouse Pier on 7 June 2020, restricting public access beyond its pavilion. Hurricane Zeta struck on 28 October 2020, destroying the pier. As of 10 November 2026, the pier has remained closed for over 6 years since Zeta, longer than any other reconstruction period since Hubbell's Pier was built in 1983.
On 23 September 2025, Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich described plans for a $4.2 million pier, adding, “maybe $5 million by the time the smoke clears, but on our application, at least half of that amount will be paid for by FEMA.” The City budgeted $336,000 for Seymour Engineering, with documented design costs totaling $188,580, exceeding those of every previous Lighthouse Pier design.
At $5 million, the proposed reconstruction would cost more than 9 times the inflation-adjusted $535,962 spent rebuilding Lighthouse Pier following Hurricane Katrina. From 1983 through 2020, the original construction of Hubbell's Pier and five subsequent major storm-related repairs cost a combined $1,639,827 in 2026 dollars. The Mayor's proposed reconstruction alone would cost more than 3 times that entire 43-year total, even after adjusting for inflation.
