Residents excited for growth in Gautier as construction continues on Legacy Park

ROY HOWARD COMMUNITY JOURNALISM-Residents in Gautier say they’ve been watching closely as construction ramps up during the final year of the Legacy Park Development.

For many in the community, the project represents something they say the city has lacked for years, new growth.

Justin Glowacki with the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center looks at what the project could mean for Gautier.

Along Highway 57 in Gautier, construction is underway on a development city leaders hope will bring new businesses and health care to the area.

Legacy Park is expected to include medical offices, restaurants, retail space and a hotel.

For local business owner Monica Mingo, the project could help bring more activity to the city. “We’re well known for being a bedroom community. People leave, go to work, come back, go to bed. No, we don’t really have a whole lot going on.”

Mingo hopes the development will encourage more people to stop in Gautier and support local businesses. “People are going to get off on (HWY) 57, sit there, and then say, ‘Hey, what else is going on out here? Let’s go check out Gautier.’ That’s going to be a boon for everybody.”

A key part of the project is an outpatient cardiac surgery center planned by cardiologists Dr. Sati Adlakha and Dr. Ediz Tasan.

Registered nurse and Gautier resident Greta Guthans said additional health care options could benefit patients across the area. “As a patient, I want to be able to look at options and not just be in one vein.”

Developers say construction on some of the buildings has already begun with more medical facilities coming in the future. “We have a large medical office building, and I think the cath lab will go under construction in about 2 to 3 months.”