HUNTSVILLE– “A new day” is dawning in north Huntsville.

That’s how City Council member Michelle Watkins described the announcement of a massive retail-restaurant development in her district.

A $240 million project across North Memorial Parkway from the new Food City will feature more than 500,000 square feet of new retail and restaurants, city officials said.

At its meeting Thursday, the City Council approved the project at the intersection of Alabama 255 and North Memorial Parkway.

“Today, we were able to announce a massive retail development that north Huntsville deserves,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “This is a project that has been years in the making and meets a need for residents in north Huntsville. Residents from outside of Huntsville, including southern Tennessee, will also benefit from this development.

“The development of this retail center is a result of our success in bringing in new jobs, infrastructure investments and several new residential communities to District 1.”

The development will be known as North Village Town Center, providing a best-in-class lifestyle center. Anchored by Target and The Home Depot, it will include local and regional retail space as well as multiple national and regional restaurants.

“This project is a tremendous win for District 1 as well as all of Huntsville,” Watkins said. “I am excited about this new development, and I want to thank the administration and my council colleagues for their support.”

The first phase of construction is expected to begin next spring with initial store openings following in 2027. Phase II will be a retail development on the north side of the Northern Bypass at Memorial Parkway, city officials said.

“It’s a new day in Huntsville,” Watkins said. “And I can’t wait until the groundbreaking.”