BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Publix Super Markets will build a grocery store in the heart of downtown Birmingham at 20th Street and Third Avenue South as part of a new $30 million development.

A 30,000-square-foot Publix with a full-service pharmacy will anchor a new multi-story, mixed-used development on the northwestern corner of the intersection that will be part of an even larger development touching three different blocks.

Publix plans to start construction later this year and be open by early 2016.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell said not a day goes by that somebody doesn't ask him about when downtown will get a grocery store. "Now we can tell them," he said.

Bell said it is a deal that has been more than three years in the making. Developers Scott Bryant and Dick Schmalz have been trying to develop the former Firestone site and adjacent property for 11 years. The site was one of two Publix was rumored to be considering for an urban concept store in 2007 before the economy soured.

"We've been working with Dick Schmalz and his group a little over three years now to lure a grocery store to the downtown area," Bell said. "I'm truly grateful to Publix and to everyone who have worked to make this possible."

The future $30 million development anchored by Publix as it will appear on Third Avenue South. Apartments will be built above the parking deck. (Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds)

Bryant had the Firestone site under contract in 2000 and closed on the purchase in 2003. He said Publix considered a store there in 2007 and again in 2009 before finally deciding to bring a store downtown now.

"Publix has always liked the site," Bryant said. "It was always a question of timing from their standpoint."

Schmalz has worked with a number of grocery stores over the years, but few have required the tenacity needed for this development.

"We are obviously very happy to have reached this point," he said. "While there is still much work to do, this is something that has been on again, off again a number of times for several years."

Schmalz said the expectation is Publix will be successful downtown.

"I don't know everything Publix looks at when analyzing a market, but we are very optimistic they will do very well because of the people already living and working there, those that will be living and working there and the overall appeal Publix has gained in the Birmingham area," Schmalz said.

The development of the Parkside District with the Railroad Park and Regions Field along with existing and planned apartment projects in the area contributed to the timing, Bryant said.

"There is so much new development planned and, of course, UAB is the driving force for everything at the end of the day," he said.

Bell said the growth of the Parkside District is what was envisioned when the city decided to build the $64 million Regions Field baseball park.

"This was one of the reasons we felt it was so important to locate the ballpark in that area," Bell said. "We knew it would be a catalyst for growth."

This Starbucks-anchored project across Third Avenue South is planned by the same developers. This is how it will appear facing 20th Street. (Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds)

The Publix development itself is bringing more growth. Bryant and Schmalz plan to add a parking deck above the grocery store with 60-70 apartments on three stories above the parking deck.

The development will play off the $10 million project Bryant and Schmalz announced last month on the southwest corner of Third Avenue South and 20th Street that will include 9,200 square feet of retail space on the ground floor anchored by Starbucks and 36 apartments on three stories above the parking deck there.

"We're looking at this as one development, effectively," Bryant said, adding that other property is being acquired to create other phases for the development. "From an aesthetic standpoint and from a function standpoint, they're all going to be built to go together."

The $10 million project on the former Adamson car lot will have a Starbucks and more retail space along with a parking deck and 36 apartments. This is the view along Third Avenue South. (Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds)

Tammy Cohen of Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds is the architect tasked with designing separate pieces of different blocks that will eventually be functionally tied together.

"We are in the early stages of design and as our ideas are developed, tying the separate developments together is a primary objective," Cohen said. "By weaving in similar materials, proportions, and signage with specific elements being retained from the notable buildings on site, most noteworthy being the Firestone building and cantilevered red canopy, as well as blending in the notions from the districts industrial history a refined and cohesive unity between the separate blocks is planned."

She said the architecture firm knows how pivotal the project is.

"CCR is excited about being a part of this incredible opportunity and improvement to the downtown community," Cohen said. "Anchoring the anticipated mixed-uses with such a desirable amenity - Publix, which is such a wonderful, quality-based market - creates a tremendous catalyst for future development and growth."

Although a number of grocery stores such as Western Supermarkets, V. Richards and Piggly Wiggly have stores on the periphery of downtown, the heart of the city has been classified as a "food desert" for not having convenient access to fresh foods for area residents.

Bell said Publix can be part of addressing that need.

"This project is an exciting step to enhancing the area's amenities and a start to addressing the food desert issue in our city," he said. "To have Publix be a part of the city center is a wonderful addition and we cannot wait to get this project started."

The Publix project will require demolishing the old Firestone building and developers will have to win

Design Review Committee

approval before construction can begin.