Lowe's deal for Carson City project still not finalized

A deal to bring a Lowe's Home Improvement center to Carson City is still not finalized, according to company officials.

For the second time, rumors have surfaced that Lowe's has made a deal with Tsutomu Wakimoto to either buy or lease the Silver City Mall at the south end of the Capital as a site for the new store. Wakimoto could not be reached for comment, but a corporate representative at Lowe's headquarters in North Carolina said no final agreement has been reached.

"We're very interested in the area, but it's company policy not to make an announcement until everything has been finalized and that has not happened," said Suzanne McCoy of Lowe's.

She said several sites, including the Silver City Mall, are being considered.

City officials say they have nothing on file yet that would confirm a deal by Lowe's. Carson City Senior Planner Juan Guzman said the city won't know until some one brings a proposal to them.

But there are reports Lowe's officials have already checked out utility easements and other possible impediments to building a store at the mall property located on South Carson Street at Fairview Drive.

The mall was the site of an Ernst Hardware store until it closed more than two years ago. Lowe's reportedly wants to tear down that structure along with a portion of the 40 year old mall along the property's north side to make room for a large hardware store. The Office Depot and Save-On Drug center would apparently remain.

But a number of other businesses, including three restaurants - one Japanese, one Mexican and one Thai - along with a hair salon, gym, two small retail stores and an insurance company, could be displaced. Several of those businesses were contacted but declined comment or said they knew of no actual deal at this point.

"We're considering several options," said McCoy Wednesday. "But we'll announce it as soon as we have something to announce."

Interest in the site began with Eagle hardware, which now has two locations in the Reno area. Lowe's subsequently bought out Eagle but has said on two different occasions they, like the Eagle management before them, are very interested in a Carson City location.

"Carson City has a very vibrant market," said Public Relations Director Bryan Peace earlier.

Lowe's would be the third so-called "big box" hardware and home improvement store in the area. Supply One is already open at the south end of town and Home Depot is building in Douglas County just south of the Capital's border.