Books, restaurants, more shopping coming to Douglas County

Construction may begin in early December on a large retail development next to the newly opened Wal-Mart in Douglas County -- just south of the Carson City limits.

Several big-name retailers apparently have agreed to build at the site, including Borders Books, Best Buy, Cost Plus and Bed, Bath and Beyond. The 325,000 feet of retail space will include several smaller stores and shops and possibly restaurants.

The latest news has Carson City officials concerned about the ongoing loss of retail sales tax to the city as it watches Douglas County continue its building spree south of the junction of highways 50 and 395. The city lost Wal-Mart sales tax revenues when the huge retailer left in August for its new site in Douglas County.

R & O Construction of Ogden, Utah, is accepting bids for construction of the project that has been approved by county officials.

In the request for proposals, Borders Books, Cost Plus, Michaels, Best Buy, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Petco and Marshall's are listed as the seven retail buildings that will anchor several other retail shops. The 17,620-square-foot Borders store will include a cafe, according to plans.

Carson City officials have seen Wal-Mart leave town earlier this year taking along with it several thousand dollars worth of tax revenue. The move may have meant an estimated 0.8 percent drop in retail sales growth according to August sales figures, city finance officials said.

City Manager John Berkich said the new retail development could cost the city an estimated $500,000 per year in tax revenue.

"Our concern is the continuing sales tax loss to Carson City," Berkich said.

This latest loss of potential retailers to Douglas County also concerns

Berkich. Currently, 43 cents of every dollar the city receives in revenue comes from sales tax.

Carson City may be facing more competition in the near future as Douglas County is not done yet with their continued efforts to bring more shopping to the area.

Douglas County Commissioner Don Miner said retail development is planned in several adjoining pieces of property as a way to capture sales tax revenue for the county and to provide residents with a variety of more convenient sales opportunities, Miner said.

Across the street from the new site, a 146-acre piece of land will be

auctioned Dec. 10 that will be developed into retail space, Miner said.