A real estate developer on Monday announced expected transformational changes for the long-dormant Haysland Square area along South Memorial Parkway.

The part of the sprawling Hays Farm development that fronts Huntsville’s primary north-south corridor will feature more than 150,000 square feet of retail space, Tailwinds Development said in the announcement. The site currently has a strip mall has sat largely empty for years

No tenants were announced but plans call for a 50,000 square foot grocery store to anchor the retail development and with more than 100,000 square feet of small shops and junior anchor space available as well as multiple outparcels.

A sign at the site of the shopping center has touted a grocery store-anchored retail development.

The area at the Memorial Parkway access road and Haysland Road will be branded The Market at Hays Farm.

“We work to create properties that enhance their community while incorporating green planning and development,” James Gendreau, president of Florida-based Tailwinds, said in the announcement. “Our team has worked on many successful projects in north Alabama and looks forward to being a part of Hays Farm, a truly transformative development for south Huntsville.”

Demolition of the largely empty strip mall will begin in the spring, the announcement said. The only business operating at the facility is Staples on the north end. Staples is expected to remain a part of the shopping district, Gendreau told AL.com on Monday.

"We have no intention in moving Staples," Gendreau said. "Everything is going to be brand new. It will be a brand-new development, new lighting, new asphalt, new buildings. It's going to be beautiful."

Construction is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2021. The grocer tenant will be announced in the spring, according to the announcement.

“The Market at Hays Farm will play a key role in transforming the face of the South Parkway,” South Huntsville Business Association Director Bekah Schmidt said in the announcement. “We expect The Market will foster further new development and redevelopment in our area as Huntsville continues to grow.”

Huntsville city councilwoman Jennie Robinson, whose district includes the Hays Farm development, has said the project will have a ripple effect throughout south Huntsville.

Hays Farm is an 850-acre master planned development that will incorporate retail and office space as well as about 1,100 new housing units with more than 500 single-family detached homes. The announcement said the first 170 home sites will be available in 2020.

The development will also include a $3.6 million city-owned park.