FOLEY, Ala. — Developers at Burton Property Group have announced that construction is set to begin next week on McKenzie Shopping Village in Foley.

The 85,000-square-foot facility will be nestled between Lowe’s Home Improvement and El Paso Mexican Grill. It will also be anchored by Hobby Lobby.

“A national junior anchor tenant will be announced soon,” said Sage Wyatt of Burton Property Group.

She explained that Hobby Lobby will bring 30-40 full-time and part-time jobs to Foley once doors open.

“That’s a good thing for our area,” Foley City Administrator Mike Thompson said in a phone interview.

“Opening is projected for late fall 2014 or early spring 2015, depending on weather,” Wyatt said.

Weather has already impeded the beginning of construction, which was originally scheduled for earlier this week.

“The rain postponed construction,” Wyatt said.

She explained that once begun, construction on McKenzie Village is projected to be completed by this summer and estimated to cost in excess of $9 million.

Josh Burmeister and Buff Teague of Jones Lang LaSalle handled the leasing; Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood are the engineer and architect for the project; McDowell Knight Roedder & Sledge represented the landlord in the transaction and financing is provided by BancorpSouth, Wyatt added.

She also said BPG had several reasons for selecting Foley for the venture.

“Foley is a great central Baldwin County location that has a strong retail presence as well as a strong permanent population and strong tourist traffic,” she said.

Thompson credited Foley City Economic Development Director Jeff Rouzie with helping to bring Hobby Lobby to the area in an effort to fill a niche void.

However, this is not the only venture planning to open soon in Foley. Land is already being cleared at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Foley Beach Expressway to make way for Trax Tires Auto Service Center. Plus, WhatABurger is planning to open on Alabama Highway 59, not very far from Hobby Lobby.

“They’re completed their permitting process with CDD (Community Development Department),” Thompson said.

The city administrator pointed out that these two businesses chose Foley on their own.

“They wanted to be in this market,” Thompson said.

He explained that all of these pending business openings means more jobs in the city of Foley.

“It also brings sales tax into the city,” Thompson said. “For us, sales-tax revenue is our primary source of funding.”