Gautier to spend $5 million for old Singing River Mall property. Here’s city’s plan for it
The city of Gautier closed Tuesday on the $5 million purchase of the former Singing River Mall property, which city officials plan to turn into a performing arts site and an expanded town center.
The development of the 55-acre land parcel, purchased with mostly Gulf Coast Restoration funds and some bond money from the state Legislature, comes after years of struggle for the city in finding buildout options for the large site after the former mall was demolished in February 2014.
“This purchase has been a long time coming, and we are eager to make this property a mixed-use development that will serve our citizens and our visitors,” City Manager Paula Yancey said.
“Redevelopment of the old mall site has been stifled for years due to the large size of the parcel, as well as a changing retail environment. Developers found they could not carry an expensive note on such a large piece of property, given that the property must likely be developed in phases,” a press release sent Tuesday by the city of Gautier said.
To complement the adjacent Town Commons Park, which is under construction nearby, the land will be transformed into a Mississippi Songwriters Performing Arts Center and further shopping and dining opportunities, an offshoot of Gautier’s downtown area.
The city will use Blackwater Development Co., LLC as its primary developer, according to the press release.
The purchase follows the Legislature’s April 2019 passing of a bill that allows the city to purchase the property and lease the land to a developer at less than fair market price — an incentive designed to promote retail development.
“The redevelopment of this prime U.S. 90 frontage property will alter the character of the City and give it a unique downtown feel,” Mayor Casey Vaughan said.
“We envision a Town Center where citizens and visitors dine, shop and do business on this property and then spend a nice afternoon playing Pickleball at Town Commons Park or catching a concert at the outdoor amphitheater during the weekend,” he said. “We want a space where you can do it all.”
The city did not immediately release a timetable for completion of the project.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 4:12 PM.
