Publix eyed for South Broad

A Publix supermarket may be headed to the site of the longtime Mount Vernon Restaurant, giving the redeveloping South Broad Street area another retail boost.

Mike Price, owner of MAP Engineers, said he’s working with a development group to bring “a high-end grocery store” to the site if the property can be rezoned.

“It’s strategically located in being an ideal location for a grocery store,” he said.

Price declined to name the supermarket brand, but residents in the area indicate that Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix is interested in the site. A public meeting in St. Elmo to discuss the project is slated for Monday.

A Publix spokeswoman did not return an email seeking comment on the potential store.

Publix operates five other stores in metro Chattanooga, including a new 45,000-squarefoot store that opened in March at the Waterside development north of Hamilton Place Mall.

The Mount Vernon, which had generated a loyal clientele, operated at the foot of Lookout Mountain for 63 years before it closed its doors around Christmas of last year.

Jeff Messinger, who owned the eatery with wife Cindy, said the closing was due to reasons related to his health.

Price said plans are to seek a rezoning of the nearly 4-acre tract from Urban General Commercial zone to C-2 commercial with some conditions, which would permit the developer to place a larger building on the property.

“UGC has limited square footage,” he said. “It hamstrings us to meet the needs of the area.”

He said the store would be 32,000 square feet in size and built as a standalone unit on the tract.

The store would go on the triangular-shaped property bounded by South Broad, St. Elmo Avenue and West 35th Street, Price said.

“We need to meet with neighborhood,” he said, adding the development group has talked with individuals in the area and gotten a positive response so far.

“We’re looking forward to trying to continue to have that dialogue,” Price said.

If the project is approved by Chattanooga planners, work could begin in late summer or early fall with an opening in 2019, he said.

A new blueprint on the growth of the South Broad Street area was recently completed by planners after meetings with landowners, city officials, residents and others.

The Chattanooga Design Studio report calls for an array of new housing along with commercial and retail space, upgraded parks, streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure, including a new minor league ballpark and entertainment facility to serve as a catalyst for development.

Chattanooga Lookouts owners have said they’re ready to talk with public officials and others about a new ballpark for the area.

“It’s something we’re interested in,” said Jason Freier, the Lookouts’ operating partner.

Also, the owners of the 141-acre U.S. Pipe/Wheland Foundry site, too, said the timing is right to pursue a possible new sports and entertainment venue.

“Absolutely,” said Mike Mallen, part of the foundry ownership group. “If we could have a small version of what the Atlanta Braves have done, a small SunTrust Park, it would be great.”

Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress. com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.