Pinnacle at Providence

A sign advertising the new Pinnacle at Providence sits near the intersection of Oakwood and Old Monrovia/Johns roads in Huntsville. (Lucy Berry | lberry@al.com)

A new Publix-anchored shopping center will begin taking shape soon in Huntsville.

Bob Peck, vice president of development for Watkins Real Estate Group in Atlanta, said Pinnacle at Providence will break ground near the Madison County 911 Center and the North Alabama Dance Center at the intersection of Oakwood and Johns/Old Monrovia roads.

Pinnacle at Providence will feature a 45,000-square-foot Publix grocery store, 14,000 square feet of local shop space and one outparcel. The $12 million project should be operational early next year.

Peck said the location is attractive because of its proximity to Village of Providence, Cummings Research Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.

"There's definitely a need for a grocery store there," he said. "Right now anybody who lives up in that area has to funnel out to University and University is very congested during peak hours."

Watkins just began the leasing process for Pinnacle at Providence, which Peck hopes will include one nice sit-down restaurant, as well as other secondary food and service tenants.

Publix spokeswoman Brenda Reid was not immediately available for comment. When the new location opens, the Florida supermarket chain will have 10 stores in Madison County.

Peck said the City of Huntsville is not contributing to the project. City spokeswoman Kelly Schrimsher confirmed that information Wednesday.

"We'll be improving Johns Road a little bit to the north," Peck said. "Other than that, the infrastructure is pretty much in place."

Another grocery-anchored development is planned at the northwest corner of Zierdt and Martin roads in Huntsville. The Shoppes at Redstone Square will include at least 59,000 square feet of retail space and several outparcels.

No tenants have been announced for the multi-phase project. Construction will begin no later than Aug. 1, 2017.