Home Depot plans store in Liberty Lake

The Home Depot, Inc. plans to open a new store in Liberty Lake early next year.

If things go smoothly, construction will begin this spring and doors will open in January 2006, said Kathryn Gallagher, a spokeswoman for the Atlanta-based home improvement retailer.

“We’re really excited to open the new store. We appreciate the warm welcome we have received,” Gallagher said.

Company representatives are negotiating the purchase from Liberty Lake Land Co. LLC of 14 acres north of Country Vista Drive, on the west end of the city near Alton’s Tire. Liberty Lake Land is a Seattle-based development company, one of whose shareholders is William E. Boeing Jr., son of the Boeing Co. founder.

Gallagher anticipates the purchase closing after the company obtains a building permit from the city, perhaps in May or June.

Doug Smith, Liberty Lake’s director of planning and community development, met with Home Depot representatives once, but said the company hasn’t formally applied for a building permit.

However, when the company applies, he said, the city will be ready.

“A project of this scale is going to take some time to review, but we have the personnel to do an expedited review on it,” Smith said.

Gallagher said the company chose the location because the area is growing and holds strong market potential for Home Depot’s products and services.

Home Depot’s new store will employ 125 full- and part-time workers, Gallagher said. Employees will make more than minimum wage and will qualify for health and retirement benefits.

The 102,000-square-foot store will sell the company’s full mix of building and remodeling products, home décor, hardware and tools. Outdoor plants and products will be offered in an attached 28,000-square-foot garden area.

Home Depot will own the property, which will be developed by a San Francisco company, Gallagher said. The name of the developer and the project’s construction cost weren’t available Wednesday.

Smith said the Home Depot store will spark economic development, while meeting the community’s needs.

“I’m certain it’s going to attract complementary and compatible businesses,” Smith said. “The city is looking forward to Home Depot as a neighbor and a new corporate citizen.”