Officials break ground on Moores Mill shopping center | News

ATLANTA -- Officials broke ground on the long-awaited Moores Mill Shopping Center in northwest Atlanta, Wednesday.

The project has been years in the making with efforts beginning back in 2005.  The goal was to convert a boarded-up eyesore at the intersection of Moores Mill and Bolton roads into much-needed retail space.

The area is one of metro Atlanta's food deserts - communities without easy access to grocery stores or restaurants.

Mayor Kasim Reed spoke about what the redevelopment means for the neighborhood.

"We're going to have a $96 million best-in-class development that eliminates the food desert," he said. "And it's been a long time in the making so I'm just really happy today."

The Moores Mill project was spear-headed by South Carolina developer Edens.

Phase one will include a Publix grocery story as well as space for restaurants and shopping.