Aldi, Texas Roadhouse projects in Tuscaloosa move ahead

Retail phase of the Lofts at City Center will feature Aldi and Texas Roadhouse.

Plans to build an Aldi grocery store and a Texas Roadhouse restaurant as part of a larger commercial project at the Lofts at City Center will go forward, nearly a year after being delayed because of zoning issues.

Birmingham-based Capital Growth Buchalter withdrew its plans for the project in late March 2014 when area residents objected to the company's request for several zoning variances.

But the City Council later modified the mixed-use zoning regulations that apply to the location, which is near the intersection of McFarland Boulevard and 15th Street, making the variances unnecessary.

Aldi and Texas Roadhouse are the first phase of the commercial project, called the Shops at City Center.

"This new development will bring new and needed retail and restaurant offerings to the community," said former Tuscaloosan Robert Buchalter, president of Capital Growth Buchalter. "With the start of construction on the commercial phase of City Center, the vision of City Center as a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development is coming into focus."

The retail development fronts another Buchalter project, the Lofts at City Center, a 1,226-bed, upscale student housing complex that opened in 2013. The retail and student housing developments are on the former site of Wood Square, a shopping center anchored by Hobby Lobby that was destroyed by the April 27, 2011, tornado.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the retail project will be held Monday at 3 p.m.

Company officials said the second phase of the project will be announced soon.

As part of its recovery plan following the tornado, the city adopted new zoning regulations to govern rebuilding.

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Aldi, Texas Roadhouse projects in Tuscaloosa move ahead