Defunct mall in Gautier gets new life and a new purpose, including a new amphitheater
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Singing River Mall in Gautier sat virtually empty for many years, a sad reminder of the slow death suffered by many malls across America.
A group of people in the public and private sectors decided that needed to change and looked for ways to repurpose the building and parking lots that were taking up prime space along a portion of U.S. 90 that sees thousands of travelers every day.
Fast-forward to 2024 and the mall is undergoing a renaissance. The new Gautier Town Commons will be a mixed-use development with an entertainment district that leads to an 8,000-seat amphitheater.
The Sound, 3855 Dolphin Drive, Gautier, will be the first of the new developments to be completed.
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The project cost $7.5 million to complete with an economic impact estimated at $13 million. So far, more than $10 million has been raised for the entire project and more funding plans are in the works.
The stage is set, the turf is rooted and the entertainment scheduled. The first to perform at The Sound in April is KC and the Sunshine Band. The grand opening will be April 12.
Tickets Start at $20 for opening night. Doors open at 5 p.m. with festivities beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Food trucks will have food and beverages available for concertgoers and the venue has plenty of restroom facilities.
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Jason Isbell will perform the following week on April 19 and more acts are scheduled for the following months.
A two-story, 10,000-square-foot performing arts center will be home to the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame, a small performance hall and a recording studio. The recording studio will be set up to record the amphitheater's live shows if the artists request it.
In addition, the center will house an art gallery, workshop and classroom and opportunities for Mississippi artists to sell their wares.
A food truck court will be nearby to cater to a variety of tastes.
An inclusion playground is under construction with equipment designed for children of all abilities for a safe and accessible recreational environment for families.
Plans are underway for a wetlands discovery area, walking trails, treehouses, pickleball courts and possibly a dog park.
Belk, the lone department store still operating at the site, will remain. The store still has a vibrant customer base and hopes to gain more when the Town Commons is complete.
Gautier City Hall also will relocate to the Town Commons, which will complete the transformation of Singing River Mall.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that guests are not allowed to bring lawn chairs to the amphitheater. An earlier version of this story stated otherwise.
Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: MS mall refurbished to multipurpose center, music venue
