Madison Retail has closed on its construction loan for the Charles Hight Square mixed-use development in Rome. Charles Worthen, a principal with Madison Retail, also confirmed that Publix has signed off on the general contractor for the project but declined to name the contractor, pending the formal signing of contracts.

Grading and site preparation work has been ongoing at the site off Turner McCall Boulevard at North Fifth Avenue for a couple of months.

Worthen said Georgia Commerce Bank is the lender for the project but declined to specify an amount for the construction.

“It’s enough to finish the project and then some, so we’re in good shape on that,” Worthen said.

A 54,817-square-foot Publix grocery store will anchor the shopping center. AT&T is moving its corporate wireless store from the intersection of Second Avenue and Turner McCall to an outparcel in the new shopping center.

La Parilla restaurant will be locating in Charles Hight Square, as will Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches. A Fantastic Sam’s Hair Cuttery, Benchmark Physical Therapy, Sun Tan Hut and Spa One Nails have also committed to the project.

“I think they’ve got almost everything we’ve got available spoken for at this point,” Worthen said. “I suspect it will probably open 100 percent leased.”

Publix spokeswoman Brenda Reid told the Rome News-Tribune last week that it typically takes about 10 months to construct one of its stores. Previously, Madison officials had told the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority, which sold the property to Madison, that Publix wanted to be open in advance of the holiday shopping season in 2013.

Building permits for Publix and three outparcels have been approved for several weeks and ready for issuance once the general contractor is signed and ready to move on site.

Site plans for a new administrative office building for the housing authority have not yet been submitted to the permitting authorities. The administrative offices for the housing agency are currently located in one of the high rise apartment units on North Fifth Avenue.