City of Gautier drops lawsuit against Belk

The City of Gautier is dismissing its lawsuit against Belk after coming to an agreement with the franchise.

A development agreement was turned into land records stating the City of Gautier owns the Singing River subdivision property, aside from Belk.

Gautier bought the 55-acre mall property in 2021 for $5 million with the intent of establishing a town center.

Belk will be required to refurbish the exterior within two years of the city removing the awning and concrete pad at the back of the building.

Together, the city and Belk will be able to update the dilapidated land.

Since the city owns the rest of the property, Gautier can move forward with development opportunities.

“Every time you wanted to do something on the property, you had to go get Belk’s approval,” said Mayor Casey Vaughn. “When you are in the retail world, economic development, and you are trying to recruit development to a parcel, you do not have time to wait on approval that might take one day… it could take two to three months.”

Mayor Vaughn says he is excited to grow Gautier alongside Belk and the lawsuit against Belk stores in Mississippi will be dismissed.