LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A development in Fern Creek continues to show slow signs of progress as more businesses are expected to open this year.
SouthPointe Commons is a 48-acre, 363,000-square-foot shopping center development in Fern Creek near Bardstown Road and the Gene Snyder Freeway.
The $80 million development first broke ground in 2017. A 150,000-square-foot Hy-Vee grocery store was supposed to open there in 2023, but plans are still being finalized and a timeline is unknown. The development was originally approved in 2010, but the project has been mired in litigation.
Inspired by Old Brownsboro Crossing – the eastern Jefferson County retail center that includes Costco and Norton Brownsboro Hospital – SouthPointe Commons has long promised a mix of restaurants, stores and other attractions to serve the growing suburbs around Fern Creek.
Some neighbors in Fern Creek would like the project to happen a bit faster.
Jason Sanders has lived in the Glenmary neighborhood near Bardstown Road for the past few years. Since he moved in, he hasn't seen as much progress as he expected on SouthPointe Commons.
"Big holes in the ground aren't a whole lot to look at," Sanders said. "There is not much happening with it. It seems to be going very slowly."
After breaking ground seven years ago, all that is open at the development is a Panera Bread.
On Tuesday, construction crews were working on a Bank of America branch, which will be the second business to open up.
"It has been a slow go," Louisville Metro Councilmember Robin Engel (R-22) said. "That is almost an understatement. It's been a slow go out there."
A Bubba's 33 restaurant will soon be under construction as well, something neighbors say the area needs more of.
"Sit down restaurants like that, we can walk to it or ride a boke over there," Kelly McIntosh said. "Don't have to get on Bardstown Road."
"We would like to see some good sit down restaurants," Sanders said. "Fern Creek is a little sparse in that area."
Bubba's 33 is expected to break ground in June with an official opening planned toward the end of the year.
Related Stories:
- Traffic, construction increasing as more Fern Creek businesses prepare to open
- SouthPointe Commons developer sues Louisville over traffic issue
- Southpointe Commons moving forward despite pending litigation
- Groundbreaking held for $80 million SouthPointe shopping center in Fern Creek
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