‘High profile’ opportunities at Town Madison with interchange opening

MADISON — The opening of the I-565 interchange at Town Madison means more high-profile opportunities at the 563-acre mixed-use development between Huntsville and Madison.

“This is going to allow us to attract new businesses to the city of Madison and it’s the type of businesses that people in Madison want to see,” said Joey Ceci, president of Breland Cos.

Last month, the city of Madison officially opened the long-awaited westbound interchange along I-565 at Town Madison. The opening includes bridges over I-565 and facilitates the movement of westbound traffic on and off the interstate.

“Right now, Town Madison is only about 60% complete,” Ceci said. “And so we’ve got a whole 40% left to go. And this is going to allow us to bring in new projects, new businesses that are high profile that really, you know, want to see that interstate access.

“And it’s going to allow us to get those kind of businesses that people of Madison want.”

Anchored by Toyota Field, home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Town Madison is already home to more than 20 restaurants, with more on the way; six hotels; 500 homes and six high-end apartment communities. Town Madison is also home to an 18-acre Arts and Entertainment District.

In addition to attracting new business to North Alabama, the interchange benefits existing establishments. Jeff Tharpe, an owner of SaZa Serious Italian, said the interchange helps them serve more of the community.

‘We’re very happy it’s open,” he said. “We can serve more people in the community and we love being in Town Madison and this is just another way for people to be able to come here, whether it be to the baseball stadium or a restaurant and enjoy your time here.”

With 40% of Town Madison still to be developed, what could be coming next?

Ceci declined to talk specifics but did divulge negotiations were underway.

“Well, we certainly can’t disclose right now, but we’re in very significant conversations with several high-profile tenants that I think people of Madison will be very excited to see,” he said.