Signs announcing the forthcoming Target at the Shoppes of Madison stand alongside U.S. 72 east of County Line Road. Officials with the city of Madison and GBT Realty Corporation broke ground on the 28-acre shopping complex Monday.

From staff reports

Limestone residents who want to shop at Target, but don’t want to drive into the congested heart of Huntsville, are likely excited about the announcement of a new store just east of County Line Road in Madison.

Officials with the city of Madison and Brentwood, Tenn.-based GBT Realty Corporation broke ground Monday on the new Shoppes of Madison, which will be anchored by a 135,000-square-foot Target store and 125,000 square feet of additional retail space.

The shopping center will be located on 28 acres, located between the new Madison Hospital and Wall Triana Highway.

“With Target, we bring a quality business to our city,” said Madison Mayor Paul Finley in a press release. “Many of our residents currently travel all the way to Huntsville to shop, so not only will this store provide our residents the shopping options they desire, it will also significantly add to the city’s bottom line.”

No other retailers have been confirmed for the site, but GBT also built and leased the Crossings of Decatur, which is anchored by a Target store. Other retailers at that development are Ross, PetSmart, Old Navy, Lifeway, Hibbett’s, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Rack Room Shoes, Rue 21, Panera Bread, Baskin Robbins, AT&T and branches of Bank Independent and Regions Bank.

GBT is also the developer of the proposed Madison Corners, a 12.86-acre property located just west of the Shoppes of Madison on U.S. 72 and adjacent to the Regional Madison Hospital opening February 2012.

“We are very fortunate to have Mayor Finley and his team’s support and assistance in this development,” said George Tomlin, president and CEO of GBT Realty Corporation. “Their proactive business approach is what allowed this development to come to fruition for the benefit of Madison residents.”

Shoppes of Madison is scheduled to be completed by spring 2012.