Already the largest city in South Mississippi, Gulfport could be adding more land for a major retail project.

Because of Mardi Gras, the regular city council meeting was moved to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19. The city council is expected to discuss a proposal to annex property on U.S. 49.

The land at U.S. 49 near Mississippi 53 currently is in Harrison County, but the new owner is agreeable to a friendly takeover by the city, said Mayor Hugh Keating.

The property that formerly was owned by Gulfport Memorial Hospital was sold to Walmart and will become a Walmart Superstore, he said.

Walmart currently has a superstore on U.S. 49 south of I-10 and a Neighborhood Market north of I-10. This is believed to be in addition to those stores.

The annexation would be at the present corporate limits of the city in the Lyman area. Site work already is under way.