Developer hopes to build Sparks mall

The developer of an upcoming mall just south of Carson City is working to develop a similar shopping center in Sparks.

AIG Baker Shopping Center Properties LLC is looking at a tract of largely undeveloped land at the intersection of Pyramid Highway and Los Altos Parkway, near Sun Valley and Sparks, and on the road to Spanish Springs.

"We are in the development stage and waiting for confirmation from tenants we have shown it to," said Fred Reynolds, leasing representative for AIG Baker, based in Birmingham, Ala.

"We are hopeful, though, of doing something in Sparks."

Reynolds said the mall, if developed, would likely be larger than Carson Valley Plaza, AIG Baker's 325,840 square foot shopping center in Douglas County is scheduled to open during the fall.

That mall will house 53 tenants, including Borders Books, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Cost Plus World Market, In-N-Out Burger, Marshall's, Michael's, Payless Shoes, Petco, Pier 1 Imports and Quizno's Subs.

One tenant, restaurant Texas Roadhouse, has dropped out of the mall, said Reynolds.

Whiting Turner, in Las Vegas, is the general contractor on the plaza.

Carson Valley Plaza has been the focus of some tension between Carson City and Douglas County.

The problem started when Wal-mart decided to vacate its Carson City store and build a superstore just miles up the road in Douglas County.

The rift came to a head earlier this year when Carson City protested an auction of Douglas County land by the Bureau of Land Management, fearing that the tract would be developed into an auto mall.

The closure of Carson City's Kmart store last month has exacerbated the problem.

And now the Carson Valley Plaza, with its long list of brand name stores, could further drain needed sales tax revenue from the capital.

"We look for land opportunities where we can accommodate national retailers," and that was in Douglas County, not Carson City, said Reynolds.

But there is a silver lining for Carson City residents, said Reynolds.

"The mall will create probably 475 jobs," he said.

"People who have lost jobs at Kmart can come down and find work."

Reynolds said he hopes to have plans for a similar mall in Sparks set by July.