Lowe’s lays out nuts‑and‑bolts of their plans for Carefree store

Proposed store could open late summer or early fall

by Barry Cohen

CAREFREE – By fall 2007, area do‑it‑yourselfers should be able to get their lumber, grass fertilizer and drill bits at the new Lowe’s home improvement store in Carefree.

Lowe’s Senior Site Development Manager Jack Mandel said that if all goes according to plan, the North Carolina‑based company plans to break ground after the first of the year. Given that it takes about 200 days to build a store, the proposed store should be open for business by late summer or early fall, he said.

“It’s a perfect property and a perfect plan,” said Mandel. “We’re going to build a store the citizens of Carefree can be proud of.”

Mandel made those comments Aug. 31 at an open house meeting held at the town hall.

The proposed 120,000‑square‑foot store is to be located at the northwest corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road.

Carefree’s Development Review Board on Sept. 18 will review Lowe’s plans to ensure they meet the town’s design guidelines and ordinance requirements, said Carefree Planning Director Gary Neiss. Following the review, Lowe’s will apply for a building permit with the town staff, he said.

Mandel said the storefront will face east and its main entrance will be on Cave Creek Road.

Every effort will be made to re‑use the trees that are removed during construction and leave the natural wash on the property undisturbed, he said.

Responding to a question about outside lighting, Mandel said Lowe’s will use short‑pole lights and that the intensity of those lights will be reduced at night.

In addition, he said Lowe’s will use flat lenses on the lights to prevent glare.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.