Madison Mayor Paul Finley said Tuesday the addition of Wendy’s and other forthcoming development projects wouldn’t have happened without the five-laning and resurfacing of County Line Road.

Finley was mayor in 2012 when the project was named as part of the first round of Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program projects.

He said improvements to the road are leading to “organic growth” through retail that city leaders predicted would happen.

Some projects have been approved by the city’s Planning Department, while others are up for consideration. Mary Beth Broeren, director of planning and economic development for the city, said residents can look for the following projects:

• A 16,650-square-foot shopping center to be constructed north of Redstone Federal Credit Union on the east side of County Line Road. Dubbed Sycamore Row, the development will house a physical therapy office. No other businesses have been announced;

• A 12,000-square-foot shopping center to be built on the west side of County Line Road near the intersection of Watterson Way. No tenants have been announced;

• An 11,000-square-foot shopping center is under construction behind Last Resort Guns on the east side of County Line Road, but no tenants have been announced. The center is accessed from Palmer Road; and

• A location of popular mall pizza chain Sbarro, set to open in the Publix Shopping Center. An opening date has not been announced.

Two projects that will be up for consideration at the next Madison Planning Commission meeting on May 18 may also yield more restaurant options. Broeren said there is a proposal to build a 10,000-square-foot convenience store with a drive-thru restaurant near the intersection of County Line and Mill roads.

A developer has also submitted a plan to build a 17,000-square-foot development consisting of two separate buildings near the intersection of County Line Road and Continental Drive. Broeren said the development may house retail stores and up to three restaurants.

“There is a demand for smaller retail centers and smaller tenant space,” Broeren said of the projects.

When asked if much thought was being given to the types of businesses that would locate along the corridor, Finley was confident the city would attract the types of businesses that “support the clientele in Madison.”

“They won’t be your typical strip centers, and we’re starting to see more doctor’s offices and dentist offices now,” he said. “We’re happy with what’s happening now and want to continue to keep our foot on the gas.”