Developer plans retail center off South Carson St.

A Reno-based developer plans to construct a 40,000-square-foot retail center near South Carson Street, in the location of the former Oasis Mobile Home Park.

The developer is also planning to partner with a residential builder to construct more than 80 town homes on Cochise Street.

Ribeiro Companies is purchasing the 3.5 acres between South Carson and Cochise streets, which is south of Albertsons. Ed Yuill, vice president of Ribeiro's Northern Nevada office, said the sale should close in the summer. He declined to give the purchase price. He expects to have several tenants in contracts in about 60 days.

"We're planning on 40,000 square feet of retail/commercial and about 80-plus town homes," he said Tuesday.

Yuill said the proposed town homes will be developed west of Ribeiro's development by another company in Carson City. It plans to develop about 6.5 acres in between Appion Way and Overland Street.

Ribeiro Companies developed Carson Quail Park on South Carson and Rhodes streets and several commercial/office spaces in Reno.

Yuill said he expects to break ground on the South Carson project in the fall, and it could be completed by June 2007. He said cleanup on the site has already begun.

The site is a jumble of vacated mobile homes with missing walls, abandoned children's toys and scrub brush. Despite its vacant appearance, one mobile home is still occupied by Barbara Kepley, and she said there are about four other people living there waiting to be moved.

Before the closure of a park, the landlord is required to cover the cost of moving each tenant's manufactured home to a new location within 50 miles, or pay the tenant the fair market value of the home, according to Nevada Revised Statutes.

"It's up to them to move me," said Kepley. "I've been packing because I was under the impression it was going to happen real fast."

She's still waiting. Her home will be moved into a senior citizens' mobile home park on Winnie Lane. All Oasis residents have to be out by June 15.

Yuill said sewer lines need to be brought on to the property. It also needs improved electric, gas and water lines. Ribeiro acts as its own general contractor.

Yuill, who grew up in Carson City, said the company chose this location because of its proximity to Carson Street and the new freeway, which is expected to reach South Carson Street by 2010.

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