Urban development begins on South Curry Street

Metcalf Builders will start developing a $5 million retail/commercial center on South Curry Street in August, the company's chief executive officer said Monday.

CEO Tom Metcalf said Carson City has needed an urban center with mixed residential, retail and office space. He hopes the two 20,000-square-foot buildings will provide that. The construction company bought the vacant two-acre parcel in December.

The bottom floors of each of the three-story buildings will contain two spaces for retail. The second floor will house office space. Metcalf said his company will move its headquarters to one of those offices.

"On the top of each of the three-story buildings are 2,000-square-foot residential condominiums," he said.

The condos each have a two-car garage, a separate entrance and a high-security elevator. There will be about 80 parking spaces. The project is surrounded by the Carson City Shell gas station, Lake Glen Manor and the Tile Outlet.

"We liked the proximity to downtown, and we primarily bought it to move our office there," Metcalf said. "We thought the mixed-use zoning would be the best use for it, so we decided to present it to the city as an option. So far the city has been very favorable."

Carson City Senior Planner Jennifer Pruitt said the project has been reviewed and the builders would need to apply for a special-use permit, which requires a public hearing.

The civil engineers for the project are Palmer & Lauder Engineers of Carson City. Wayne Reid of Carson City is the structural engineer. Lumos & Associates is doing the planning. Hannafin/Darney Architects of Carson City designed the project. Khan Tung, of Hannafin/Darney Architects is the Senior Project Manager and coordinator. The buildings are designed with a combination of metal, stone and stucco.

Metcalf said half of the office space is already taken, which includes an architect and engineer. Half of the condos are also taken.

Metcalf Builders will move from its 5,000-square-foot Basque Way office to a 7,000-square-foot space in one of the new buildings in early summer 2006.

Pat Disney, owner of Tile Outlet at 1440 Curry St., wasn't aware of the project but she looks forward to new businesses.

"Welcome to the neighborhood," she said.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.