Officials with the City of Round Rock and the Austin-based developer Barshop & Oles confirmed plans Dec. 11 to build a new H-E-B in North Round Rock.

The grocery store would act as the anchor location for the University Commons Phase II development, said Milo Burdette, Barshop & Oles vice president for development.

"Pending all of the approval and permits we need, hopefully we can begin construction in early [2013]," Burdette said. "[H-E-B has] given us the authority to move forward and [they] hope to be open [in 2013]."

Burdette said Barshop & Oles and H-E-B will share ownership of the new development, located on the north side of University Boulevard between University Oaks Boulevard and Oakmont Drive. The first phase of University Commons opened in fall 2008 and presently includes Mimi's Cafe, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Starbucks Coffee, Compass Bank, Chase Bank and several other retailers.

The Phase II development of University Commons will include the new H-E-B and up to four additional buildings, Burdette said.

"We are a partner with H-E-B in the entire shopping center," Burdette said. "They are a tenant as well as one-half of the landlord."

H-E-B and Round Rock officials began preliminary discussions about the new location in October. The city is currently reviewing site plans for the store, the final step before building permits can be issued, said Brad Wiseman, Round Rock interim planning director.

Wiseman confirmed that the early plans call for the construction of an H-E-B Plus store. Burdette, however, would not confirm the exact model of the store H-E-B is planning to build.

"We are working on getting them permits so that they can get started [on construction] by the end of the year," Wiseman said. "It has been a pretty aggressive process. The earliest I have heard they could be open is fall 2013."