Publix will expand its North Alabama presence at The Shoppes at Redstone Square, a planned multi-phase project in Huntsville.

Jim Gendreau of Huntsville SJ and Tailwinds Development confirmed Thursday they have signed a lease with Publix to open a 45,600-square-foot location at the northwest corner of Zierdt and Martin roads in Huntsville. The grocery store will open in August 2018.

Approximately 15,400 square feet of retail space, a junior anchor and six outparcels are available at the property, Gendreau said.

"This center will not only serve the Redstone Arsenal but the communities surrounding it," he told AL.com. "We have begun leasing the center and want to welcome any interested parties to call our leasing team."

The Huntsville City Council approved a development agreement with Fuquay Commons and Huntsville SJ in February. The city is spending $400,000 on sewer service and an access drive off Zierdt Road at the development.

Construction will begin no later than Aug. 1, 2017. The developer must reimburse the city if the project is not complete and open for business by Dec. 15, 2018 or if permitted construction of at least 59,000 square feet does not begin within three years of the effective date.

Colliers International is serving as the broker for The Shoppes at Redstone Square, which has more than 55,000 daytime employees within a five-mile radius. The daily traffic count along Martin and Zierdt roads is more than 27,500.

Gendreau said the city has been amicable during the early process of launching the shopping center.

"We look forward to a continued relationship with the city as we move forward with site work and the ultimate development of the shopping center we have called The Shoppes at Redstone Square," he said.

Publix is opening another store at the new Pinnacle at Providence, a planned $12 million project near the Madison County 911 Center and the North Alabama Dance Center at the intersection of Oakwood and Johns/Old Monrovia roads. The 45,000-square-foot store will join 14,000 square feet of local shop space and one outparcel by early next year.

The Florida chain is also building a store at the new Point Mallard Centre at Alabama 67 and Indian Hills Road Southeast in Decatur, near Priceville.

Shane Davis, Huntsville's director of urban development, said site work should begin in the next couple of months at The Shoppes at Redstone Square.

"The location is perfectly situated to provide convenient shopping options to the surrounding neighborhoods," he said. "Once completed, The Shoppes at Redstone Square will also provide easy access to additional lunch and dinner options for those working on Redstone Arsenal."