&uot;This is our largest shopping center to date,&uot; said Alabaster Mayor David Frings at the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the new White Stone Center off Highway 119.

City officials, Publix Supermarket and Aronov Realty Management Inc. representatives were among those on hand last week to turn shovels of dirt for the retail development project that will encompass an estimated 22 acres of land and include a 44,300-square-foot Publix grocery store and 20,000 square feet of smaller shops as well as seven outparcels for other business such as restaurants, professional and private services.

&uot;We are proud to get it,&uot; said Frings. He said the new shopping center, slated to open by March 2004, will help the city of Alabaster in a number of ways.

Frings said the center will produce revenue for the city, but he said it will also allow residents south of the center to shop in that area and, as a result,

help reduce the traffic flow of the city farther up toward Pelham. And, he said, it will &uot;improve the quality of life.&uot;

Frings said the city was proud to have Publix choose Alabaster.

State Rep. Cam Ward, who also serves as director of

the Industrial Development Board

for the city of Alabaster welcomed the Aronov and Publix &uot;family&uot;

to the Alabaster &uot;family.&uot;

According to Aronov, White Stone will be a 70,400-square-foot shopping center, designed to accommodate the growing trade area, anchored by a Publix Super Market and will feature other national, regional and local retailers which will provide a complement of everyday goods and services.

Alabaster is located in the center of Shelby County, and White Stone will be located at the intersection of Highway 119 and County Road 26, serving a trade area population of nearly 40,000 people.

&uot;Bringing customers back day after day for the things they want and need is what this shopping center is designed to achieve,&uot; said John Argo, vice president of retail development for Aronov. &uot;With the addition of a new Publix to the area, along with a selection of other retailers, we believe White Stone Center will be the area’s favorite place to shop.&uot;

White Stone Center is developed and managed by Aronov Realty Management Inc.

Leasing inquiries may be made to Craig Walters at Aronov at 334-277-1000 or craig.walters@aronov.com