Retail and restaurants planned for East College Parkway center

Twelve years ago, developer Al Bernhard purchased two parcels between Roop Street and East College Parkway, just down the street from what would become Carson City's new Wal-Mart and the freeway, both of which are under construction.

It's in this spot that Bernhard will develop two commercial retail centers, a restaurant and possibly a bank building, for 35,000 square feet total.

The architect said Wednesday that the construction will begin in mid-July and should be completed by Christmas. The contractor is Hi Tech Builders of Gardnerville.

Bernhard isn't saying much about his new venture. He said it's a good investment and that it could bring "a hundred or more" jobs to the area. Bernhard said he doesn't yet know the estimated cost of construction. None of the possible 15 tenants are secured yet.

He's been developing properties since 1970. Bernhard's most recent projects are the Hidden Meadows residential subdivision, which has more than 125 homes, and the Fairview and Edmonds drives 30,000-square-foot industrial complex.

Rob Darney, the partner in Hannafin/Darney Architects working on this project, said the two retail buildings are 21,000 square feet. He hasn't confirmed which fast-food restaurant will occupy one of the buildings. A bank or a restaurant could go in the second one. All the buildings will be single story and will fit in with the architecture of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on East College Parkway and Hot Springs Road.

"It's meant to be in context with it," Darney said about the buildings' façades. "We're not using the Wal-Mart blue, but they'll probably be a brickish red and tan stucco, like what's on the (Wal-Mart building) now."

This project will be reviewed by the Carson City planning department Tuesday afternoon because of complexities concerning the utility lines and traffic patterns, he said.

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