GAUTIER — Construction on the Legacy Park development in Gautier is moving forward after a months-long legal battle cleared the way for a new cardiac surgery center and a mixed-use complex that city leaders say could expand health care access and bring new businesses to the area. 

The development is planned along Mississippi 57 just north of U.S. 90 and is expected to include medical offices, retail space, restaurants and a hotel. Developers said most construction could be completed by spring 2027. 

For many residents, the project represents something Gautier has lacked for years — new development. 

“It’s been stagnant,” said Monica Mingo, a Gautier resident and owner of the home décor shop Gumbo Life. “There has not been any development.” 

Mingo said Gautier has long been known as a quiet residential community rather than a destination for businesses or entertainment. 

“We’re well known for being a bedroom community,” she said. “People leave, go to work, come back, go to bed.” 

She said the possibility of new development is something many residents have been waiting to see. 

“When I heard about it, I was excited,” Mingo said. “It was like, OK, someone was throwing some serious money at developing something.” 

What is Legacy Park 

The project is led by cardiologists Dr. Sati Adlakha and Dr. Ediz Tasan, who said they wanted to address gaps in specialized health care along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

The developers received a certificate of need allowing them to move forward with plans for a cardiac surgery center despite opposition from Jackson County. 

According to the National Academy of State Health Policy, certificates of need are state regulatory tools that control the number of health care resources in a region. Hospitals or health systems must demonstratea community need before establishing or expanding certain medical services. 

In the case of Legacy Park, Singing River Health System — the county-owned hospital group — argued that another cardiac surgery center was not necessary in the area. 

After months of legal challenges, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in favor of the developers in January. Previous reporting on the dispute focused largely on the legal and policy debate surrounding the project. 

Legacy Park is planned as a mixed-use complex that will include medical offices, retail space and other businesses in a growing corridor between Gautier and Ocean Springs where residents say there are limited restaurants, retail options and specialized health care services. 

“I guess people come over to this area when they’re looking for some cheaper rents, and that’s pretty much it. There’s not a lot going on out here,” Mingo said. 

As of March 11, developers confirmed that a Marriott hotel and a coffee shop are expected to open at the site. 

Despite the earlier challenges, Tasan said he believes the development will benefit the city. 

“I believe it’ll be well received in the years to come, and I believe it’ll be not only great for the citizens but also great from a tax standpoint. It is going to generate a large tax-producing revenue base for the city of Gautier, which needs increased tax-producing businesses,” Tasan said. 

Health care expansion 

A central part of the project is the proposed outpatient cardiac surgery center, which developers say would be the first of its kind on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

Tasan said outpatient procedures could significantly reduce costs for some patients. 

“Depending on what procedure you do, it’s around a 50% to 70% reduction in total cost,” Tasan said. 

Greta Guthans, a Gautier resident and registered nurse, said additional health care providers could give patients more choices.

“Giving the residents here, not just in Gautier but in Jackson County, more options and a wider health care selection,” Guthans said. “Their options aren’t just narrowed down to one area. They have options.” 

She said outpatient facilities can also reduce hospital stays for patients. 

“It absolutely will be cheaper,” Guthans said. “Any hospital that you go to and have a surgical procedure in is going to be a little more because they have more overhead costs.” 

Who is paying 

The dispute with Jackson County means the development will not receive additional financial incentives from the county. 

Tasan said developers are taking on significant financial risk to build the project. 

“And then when the business comes and we get businesses that generate revenue, then that money — some of the money — gets diverted to help offset the initial costs,” Tasan said. 

The city of Gautier approved a tax increment financing bond, known as a TIF, to support the development. Jackson County declined to provide one. 

“Jackson County didn’t want to give us one (to TIF). Traditionally, Jackson County does back up to TIF when the city gets a TIF,” Tasan said. “But given that there will be direct competition to the county-owned hospisuch, they did not want to support the project.” 

Gautier Mayor Casey Vaughan said TIF bonds are only issued if the development generates enough sales tax revenue.

“Basically the developer builds it, and if they meet the criteria of the sales tax revenue generated, then we can issue TIF bonds,” he said. 

Mingo said some residents have questioned the incentive, although she said the city should support development. 

“I’ve always thought that anything growing is worth watering,” Mingo said. 

Potential impact on Gautier 

City leaders say developments like Legacy Park could help expand Gautier’s tax base and support local services. 

Vaughan said the city currently relies heavily on property taxes and needs more commercial development to grow its budget. 

“Economic development is a big part of what we’re lacking in our budget,” Vaughan said. 

According to the state’s most recent financial report, which is from 2023, most of Gautier’s revenue comes from property taxes. 

Officials said the businesses planned for Legacy Park could boost sales tax revenue and potentially increase nearby property values. 

Beyond health care and tax revenue, some residents say they are looking forward to having more places to shop and eat closer to home. 

“I don’t think that anyone else can honestly say that Gautier doesn’t need more restaurants, because it does. Shopping, it does. And economy-wise, those would be hugely beneficial here,” Guthans said.