Publix Supermarkets Eyes Atlanta Civic Center Site

John Raoux / AP Photo

The developer planning to overhaul the Atlanta Civic Center is putting together the pieces of the proposed project including potential tenants.

Houston-based Weingarten Realty Investors is reportedly in advanced talks with Publix Supermarkets. The grocery store could serve as an anchor for the planned $450 million redeveloped Atlanta Civic Center.

Weingarten has the 19-acre site at Piedmont Avenue and Ralph McGill Boulevard under contract for $30 million from the city of Atlanta. It plans to demolish the civic center’s existing buildings and build 250,000 square feet of office space, 222,900 square feet of retail, a grocery store, 250 condos and 386 apartments and townhomes.

Bill Coats, Weingarten Realty Investors’ vice president and senior regional director of development, in a phone interview on June 20, said he could not comment about potential talks with Publix. He did share the progress on the project, which aims to open its first phase in 2019.

Coats said the grocery store could draw demand from downtown and Georgia State University, along with Midtown apartment dwellers. He cited the project is about a mile away from Ponce City Market, which has seen success in landing top-tier restaurateurs and retailers.