Michelle Watkins speaks at the opening of the Northern Bypass in August, at the intersection where the development is planned. Photo: Derek Lacey/Axios
The half-million square feet of retail comes after years of diverse investments by the city and private developers.
Why it matters: Development follows infrastructure, retail follows rooftops, and they all build on each other.
That's good news for development in North Huntsville.
Case in point: Both Michelle Watkins and Shane Davis compared the North Village development to the Target-anchored shopping center on Carl T. Jones Drive.
Zoom in: The North Village project is expected to drive further development, Watkins said, crediting the school system's $60 million central office and Center for Technology campus, which "told developers and entrepreneurs that we believe in North Huntsville."
The announcement "is really a justification and acknowledgement of the work over the last three to five years," Davis told Axios.
How it works: Food City played a key role in landing the development, too, he said. The grocery chain's 2023 agreement to build six local stores gave Huntsville input on their locations, Davis said.
What's next: Work is underway to continue the bypass east, connecting the Parkway with Winchester Road, with right-of-way acquisition set to start next year.
