Grading at the Carson City Costco site gets under way in ernest today.
Starting Monday, crews from Granite Construction Co. tore out some old asphalt on the site and began minor grubbing of the area.
David Otten, project manager for Costco contractor Roberts Managing Contractors, said major site grading begins today and continues through next week. Dirt removed from the site is being moved across the street to Fuji Park to create a parking area. Otten said while Costco officials have not set a date for construction to be finished on Northern Nevada's second warehouse store, he hoped to be done near the end of October.
"We're trying to be cordial neighbors here," Otten said.
Jack Anderson, president of the Karson Kruzers, said the beginning of Costco construction shouldn't present a problem for the group's largest annual event, Run What Cha Brung.
The classic auto event has filled Fuji Park for 16 years and attendees often use the future Costco site for overflow parking.
Anderson said construction officials told him they would be off the site by Friday afternoon for the group.
This evening, Carson City supervisors will make a final decision that could end controversy surrounding the site.
An agreement is pending with Costco neighbors, Gene and Judy Lepire, owners of Comstock Country RV Resort.
The Lepires have contested the construction of a 148,385-square-foot Costco warehouse and a six-pump gas station neighboring their property. Costco is buying just over 16 acres of city land on Old Clear Creek Road for $3.7 million.
Negotiations between the city and the Lepires apparently broke down June 8, and supervisors were prepared June 15 to decide on the Lepires appeal to the planning commission's decision to issue Costco a special use permit.
Instead, the Lepires presented supervisors with a signed agreement which, if approved, will give the Lepires over $260,000 in improvements to their property. If the agreement isn't approved, supervisors will decide instead on the appeal to the permit.
If you go:
What: Carson City Board of Supervisors and Redevelopment Authority meeting
When: Today, 6 p.m.
Where: The Community Center's Sierra Room, 851 E. William St.
