Developer Bill Ming of Ming Enterprises announced this week that a 45,600-square-foot Publix supermarket, including a grocery store and pharmacy, would anchor EastSide Junction, a 105,000-square-foot shopping center to be built on approximately 15 acres located at the northeast corner of the intersection of U.S. 72 East and Lindsay Lane.

Construction of the shopping center is scheduled to begin in October with Publix scheduled to open in October 2008.

The commercial development will include 59,400 square feet for junior anchors and local tenants plus three parcels and a six-acre lake is planned to include a walking and exercise trail with an additional 4 acres for future development, according to Ming.

Bank Independent has purchased the corner parcel and recently obtained approval of their site plan with construction of their new banking office scheduled to begin in August with completion by May 2008.

Ming said that the two remaining parcels are currently under negotiation with a nationally recognized restaurant chain and single-tenant retailer. Other retailers new to our area are considering the shopping center and will be announced at a later date.

“We are very excited about Publix’s commitment to our growing community,” Ming said. “EastSide Junction is the first grocery-anchored shopping center developed in our community since the 1990s. This project will spur more development on the east side of Athens and serve our city’s newest growth corridor from Lindsay Lane to the East Limestone community.”

Athens area residents and consumers traveling along U.S. 72 East will also have access from a Lindsay Lane entrance.

“There’s very few communities our size that can proudly say they have a Ruby Tuesday, Starbucks, Chick-fil-a, Zaxby’s, and Publix to name a few,” said Ming. “More importantly, these businesses provide jobs and produce greatly needed sales taxes to support our community’s financial needs. The outlook for our community is bright and we must continue to move forward to maintain our momentum.”