The collapse of malls throughout the country is evident, even close to home.
It’s been nearly seven years since the shutdown of the old Singing River Mall in Gautier, but now the city is ready to turn the lot and area around it into an economic dream, known as the town center.
Next week.- - the collape of malls throughout- the country is- evident, even close to home.- it's been nearly 7 years since- the - shut down of the old singing- river mall in gautier.
But now- the city is ready to turn the - lot and area around it into an- economic dream, known as the- town center.
News 25's- ashleigh fortenberry has more.- - for years, the site of gautier'- old singing river mall has been- a site of what used to be with- little to no sign of life.
But - change is coming.
- mayor phil torjusen, city of- gautier - "what we're going to be doing out there is a complete - mixed use of a little bit of- something for everybody.
We're- - - - working it out with the - mississippi songwriters - alliance to put their peforming- arts theater there.
That's- going to be a big draw and a- really nice thing.
We're going- to- - - - have retail stores, resturaunts- and bar.
We're even - going to have a feasability - study out there saying it - - - - supports a hotel out there.
- gautier mayor phil torjusen say- housing properties on - the site are also possible.
- currently, torjusen says- the city is waiting on the 5.5- million dollar purchase of the- mall to close.
In the mean time- phase 1 of the gautier commons- park has started and we have an- inside look of what's to come.- "in addition to redeveloping th mall property with- - - - the retail and what all i - described, we currently own - - - - 33 acres north of the property- that borders it.
We in the- process of developing a park- area out there.
We'll have- ampitheaters, pavillions, - kayaking, a lake, pickleball, - basketball.
All kinds of- activities will be going on out- there too.
It's going to be a - new town center when we get - done."
Ashleigh fortenberry, wxxv25- "mayor torjusen says the new developments coming to the- old singing river mall could- bring as many as 500 new jobs t- gautier."
"it's going to be a catalyst fo a lot of things in jackson- county.
- and jackson county is doing - well, even through this - pandemic.
Our city is actually- up on sales taxes from last - year.
- it'll employ 500 when it's in - full developmentor maybe more.
- lot - of different things can happen- - - - when you start the process.
" torjusen says he hopes to see - the new developments- start as soon as possible.- in gautier ashleigh fortenberry- news 25 -
As they say, the show must go on! Although, the annual Songwriter’s Festival in Jackson County had to be put off due to COVID..