Developers of the long-planned Gateway Marketplace are expected to break ground next month near Woodward and 8 Mile in Detroit, launching construction on a retail hub slated to include the city's first Meijer grocery store.

Mayor Dave Bing and Gov. Rick Snyder are expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony on May 17.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority previously approved $6,134,068 in brownfield tax credits for the 360,000-square foot project, which is being developed by REDICO of Southfield.

West Michigan-based Meijer has signed an agreement to anchor the marketplace with a 195,00-square foot super store, and Marshall's is expected to serve as a fellow anchor tenant.

Detroit residents spent approximately $1.5 billion on retail shopping outside of the city in 2009, according to Data Driven Detroit. Gateway Marketplace developers hope to serve those local residents while luring some suburbanites into the city.

"This project really represents the most significant retail development in the city of Detroit in over than 50 years," REDICO's Ken Till told MLive.com in December. "This will provide grocery opportunities in what has been federally classified as a food desert."