SALINAS, Calif. - Salinas' city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to bring in a Lowe's home improvement store to the north part of the city as part of a larger development project at San Juan Grade Road and Boronda.
Council members agreed during the meeting it was a "fantastic project." The council said it expects the store to create more than 300 new jobs. It will open up 55,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
The Lowe's approved to be built in Salinas is only one of four stores set to open in the state, according to city officials. It could open by the end of next year.
There is no denying there is some concern about the slow pace of the economy and whether current empty storefronts at Harden Ranch Plaza in north Salinas paint a future picture of what this new development will face in coming years.
The city, however, said it thinks more retail space will turn the economy around.
"The market place always has an ebb and flow even in good times. I think that's a constance regardless of any era you live in," said Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue.
In good and bad economic times, Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue said you'll always see business come and go. But one thing is for sure, he wants to turn Salinas into the major business hub of the Central Coast. And building a retail center with a Lowes on the corner of Boronda and San Juan Grade Roads could help.
"We already are the retail regional shopping hub, but we can do better. The key is though, we've got to update that, enhance that for the 21st century," said Mayor Donohue.
The city's currently working on it, by bringing in new events and revitalizing Oldtown Salinas, recently approving a new Taylor Farms building on Main Street.
Mayor Donohue said times are tough and knows it can be an uphill battle to change the community's image of the city, but it's all key to attract new business and generate extra tax revenue.
"We're looking for major retailers that are complimentary to our current mix, like a Lowes. We like the restaurant business. We certainly want to see additional retail diversification," said Mayor Donohue.
