Home Depot still wants to build store, but plans on hold

The Home Depot says the Maricopa location is still in its plans but the new store is on hold for now.

“We are still interested in opening this store and serving the Maricopa community, but the current state of the economy has delayed our plans,” said Kathryn Gallagher, a Home Depot spokeswoman.

In the past year, Home Depot has laid off more than 7,000 people nationwide, closed 15 of its standard stores and 48 other locations of various brands owned by the company.

The Maricopa Home Depot is slated to be constructed next to the new Wal-Mart in the Wells shopping center being developed by Shea Properties.

However, neither Home Depot representative nor the president of Shea would offer up any possible starting date for the store’s construction.

The average construction time for a Home Depot from ground-breaking to opening is typically 10 months, Gallagher said.

Brad Hinton, a permit official with the city, said the home-improvement retailer got site approval from the City Council in mid-2008, but has yet to submit construction drawings.

“Usually once they submit construction drawings, it takes six to eight weeks before the plans are finalized,” Hinton said.

Construction plans must be renewed with the city every six months if the project has not started or been completed.

Site plan approval never expires and requires no renewal.

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