Representatives of the Publix Super Markets chain made two big announcements last week, with ground broken for one new store and another moving from its current location.
Currently, there are two Publix stores in North Fort Myers, the Hancock Bridge Parkway and Orange Grove location, which is not noted for any changes, and the Del Tura location, slated to move next year to Del Prado Extension and U.S. Highway 41.
In addition, a third store will be added at the corner of Bayshore Road and Slater Road.
Representatives from the contractor/builders of the two new projects gave details of the new happenings.

New Publix site
at Bayshore and Slater roads
“Publix at Eagle Landing represents the third Publix in North Fort Myers,” said Tim Berg, president of Halvorsen Real Estate, which is overseeing that new project at the corner of Bayshore and Slater roads. “This new store will fill Publix’s void within this trade area.”
A groundbreaking was held last week, with the projected opening of Phase I — the store itself — scheduled for spring 2012.
Where did the center name come from?
“Halvorsen named the shopping center Publix at Eagle Landing because there was an eagle’s nest to the south of the property prior to Tropical Storm Wilma. After the storm, the eagle relocated its nest on the north side of Bayshore Drive. Therefore, Publix at Eagle Landing was a natural choice.”
Many local residents have seen signs about an opening, but did not know any specifics.
“We are thrilled with the very positive phone calls we have received from local residents,” Berg said. “They are excited about Publix at Eagle Landing and we look forward to providing a beautiful, Publix-anchored shopping center in a location convenient for the residents.”
Leasing efforts for other businesses who want to be in that new plaza are going very well, Berg said.
“We are very pleased with the high level of interest from prospective tenants,” he said. “Brady Osborne is leasing the shopping center out of our Boca Raton office.”
Currently, they have several leases out for signature. For leasing inquiries, contact Osborne at 561-367-9200 or bosborne@halvorsenholdings.com.
Halvorsen has built seven other Publix stores in Lee County.
“Our strategic approach calls for Phase II to kick off when market demands,” Berg said.
What are the challenges of building a shopping center?
“Every development has its own unique challenges. The first step is identifying a site that meets Publix’s criteria. This includes population, demographics, traffic counts, visibility, population, access as well as other factors such as the site’s proximity to other Publix-anchored centers in the area.”
Located on nearly 20 acres, Publix at Eagle Landing will be constructed in phases to align with market demands.
The initial phase includes a 46,000-square-foot Publix Super Market and 12,200 square feet of small shop space. The footprint will include an in-store pharmacy as well.

Relocation of Publix
from Del Tura to Del Prado
Jon Mott is the director of Real Estate Paradise Ventures Inc., which is handling the relocation of the current Del Tura store in North Fort Myers to a new site — the corner of Del Prado Extension and U.S. Highway 41.
They call it the Del Prado project.
The new site has better visibility and provides the opportunity to update the store, officials said.
“We feel it is important for the information to get out that our project is well under way, due to the long history of shopping centers attentioned to that (Del Prado) corner,” Mott said. “There have been numerous attempts at grocery stores landing at the Del Prado site and we are proud to announce our new Publix project — it is finally taking shape.
“We are offering better visibility from Highway 41 and it allows Publix to implement their new store prototype,” he said.
Chris Logan is the project manager for Paradise Ventures Inc.
“Our plan is to start site work in August — and building construction in September. We’ll be delivering the opening in June 2012,” he said. “There will be a drive-through pharmacy, and their new interior store layout.”
The location is on the southeast corner of the Del Prado Extension across U.S. 41
Another reason officials like the site is the future possibilities of a proposed interchange hook-up at 1-75.
“We are in the process of pre-leasing for small retail stores in the plaza,” Mott said.
For additional information, contact Mott at JMott@paradiseventuresinc.com or 727-726-1115
“Out of the 20,950 feet of local space, we anticipate approximately 7,000 square feet of signed leases this week, with additional interest from several restaurants and other tenant uses,” Mott said.
This construction project is a joint venture development by Paradise Ventures Inc. and North American Development Group.