South Huntsville Redevelopment to Transform Haysland Square
Published on August 14, 2020
One of the most prominent vacant retail developments in the Huntsville metro area is getting a 23.5 million-dollar investment. Branch Properties is proud to announce Publix Super Markets will be their grocery anchor tenant in its new development The Market at Hays Farm on South Memorial Parkway
“This is an exciting development for South Huntsville and a welcome announcement for all those residents who have eagerly hoped for a revival of the Haysland Square property,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “This is also what happens when the City invests wisely in infrastructure that promotes planned growth and development such as the $60 million spent on the South Parkway Restore Our Roads project, the new Grissom High School, and the new Haysland Road Extension and greenway. We applaud the Hays family for seeing the promise of South Huntsville and for their investment in its success.”
In addition to the 48,000-square-foot Publix, The Market at Hays Farm will also offer 150,000 square feet of small shops and junior anchor space. Multiple outparcels are also available to serve the needs of the growing South Huntsville community. The development will complement the Hays Farm master planned community now under construction, which will feature 500 single family homes, 600 multifamily units, office park, 400+ acre nature preserve, and 8-miles of walking trails.
Executive Vice President of Branch Properties, Richard Lee, noted that Branch has developed and owned over 45 Publix anchored shopping centers around the southeast U.S. “This South Huntsville Publix anchored shopping center was worked in collaboration with Lake Mary, Florida-based Tailwinds Development, which has built over 15 Publix anchored centers over the last 20 years,” said Lee.
James Genderau of Tailwinds commented that “Publix has always been a pleasure to work with, and we value our relationship with them. Teaming up with Branch Properties to bring Publix here made perfect sense”. Gendreau also stated, “John Hays and his family, who have owned the property for over 50 years, were truly the reason we made this deal happen. John is a gentleman and man of his word.”
Lee also credited The City of Huntsville’s development staff of Shane Davis (Director of Urban and Economic Development), Kathy Martin (P.E.-City Engineer) and Jim McGuffey (Manager Planning Service), for being “rock solid and always having their doors open. “This team was led by Mayor Tommy Battle who really had a vision for South Huntsville and who always has been dedicated to creating responsible sustained growth. We appreciate what Mayor Battle has helped us accomplish here.”
The location of The Market at Hays Farm on South Memorial Parkway and the Weatherly/Haysland Road will be able to serve the needs of the South Huntsville community, Redstone Arsenal, as well as commuters. With the nearly completed Haysland Road extension, the Market at Hays Farm will be a focal point for a renewed South Huntsville.
Since June of 2018, South Huntsville has seen $75 million dollars of private investment. With an additional thousand units at the Hays Farm development, the Market at Hays Farm and the Publix Shopping Center is an instrumental addition to Hays Farm and the South Huntsville community.
“The much-anticipated Market at Hays Farm is the first of many great things coming to Hays Farm and the South Parkway,” says Bekah Schmidt, Director of the South Huntsville Business Association. “We welcome the new Publix to the South Huntsville community and look forward to small businesses and additional anchors coming to the Market at Hays Farm.”
We are thrilled for the new life coming to the former Haysland Square, said Huntsville District 3 City Council Member, Dr. Jennie Robinson. “The Market at Hays Farm will be the first of many great things to come on the South Parkway.”
Demolition will begin immediately with the center scheduled to open in the fall of 2021.
Media release provided by Bekah Schmidt, Director, South Huntsville Business Association
