Walls are rising and heavy machinery is active at the site of a new Publix shopping center in south Ocala, marking significant progress at the development.
Recent photos and video of the property show that construction is well underway at the future Publix Diamond “A” Shopping Center, located at the intersection of SW Highway 484 and SW 49th Court Road in Marion Oaks.
Unlike previous updates that showed only cleared land, the latest images reveal that vertical construction has begun. Concrete block walls are going up, scaffolding lines the perimeter of the main structure, and concrete mixer trucks are active on the site.
Ocala-News.com first announced news of the new Publix last February. In March, the developer received approval on a right-of-way dedication. By October, signs went up at the site of the new Publix.
The development is situated on an approximately 19.4-acre parcel directly north of the Ocala South Logistics Park, just a few miles west of Interstate 75.
In addition to the main grocery store and its parking lot, the site plan for the development includes more than a half-dozen other tracts for future retail or commercial use.
The developer previously received approval from Marion County officials for various site requirements, including sidewalk infrastructure.
The new Publix will serve a rapidly growing corridor in south Ocala that has seen a surge in commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects over the last several years. The area continues to see increased traffic from ongoing roadwork and expansion at the busy CR 484 and I-75 interchange.
In 2024, Pepsi relocated into a distribution center nearby the intersection, joining a large Dollar General distribution facility down the road. Additionally, a cannabis company purchased a 250,000-square-foot logistics center in the area for $37 million to cultivate and produce marijuana.
The site is also down the road from a new Walmart Supercenter and McGinley Landing, a new residential development under construction.
Commercial dining and service options have also expanded in the vicinity, with the recent additions of a SuperWash, a Wawa, and a renovated Popeyes.
Currently, there are 10 Publix locations in the city of Ocala. The nearest existing store to this new development is approximately five miles north at the Cherrywood Market.
What are your thoughts on the new Publix coming to County Road 484 and Marion Oaks? Share your comments below or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.