Construction on downtown Tampa’s first Publix Super Market is expected to begin as early as this spring, executives for Tampa real estate developer Mercury Advisors said this week, as early permits were approved. The 37,600-square-foot Publix is expected to open in the fall of 2017 at the corner of E Twiggs Street and N Meridian Avenue. A downtown grocery store has been a priority of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn to help the redevelopment of the city’s urban core. Adjacent to the new Publix will be the Channel Club high-rise complex with 323 apartments.