Grading for Home Depot site underway

MOSCOW — The early stages of the new Home Depot construction is underway, as crews have begun grading the site location near the intersection of A Street and Farm Road.

Home Depot has been approved to construct a 137,000-square-foot store and a parking lot with 384 spaces on University of Idaho land.

On Monday, the Moscow City Council approved a development agreement with Home Depot that requires the home-improvement store to complete public infrastructure enhancements such as extending A Street along the edge of the site. City utilities will also be extended as part of the development agreement.

During that Monday meeting, City Supervisor Bill Belknap said the city and UI staff discussed with Home Depot the city’s desire to eventually extend A Street to Warbonnet Drive as that land behind the Palouse Mall is developed in the future.

Home Depot construction will also include building a retaining wall, bus stop and stormwater ponds.

Moscow Deputy City Supervisor Cody Riddle said Tuesday that a large retail store like Home Depot is an approved use for that land, which is in the motor business zone. Therefore, Home Depot will not need city approval beyond getting the building permits approved.

Riddle expects construction on the building will begin in roughly a month.

In August, the Idaho State Board of Education unanimously approved a ground lease between Home Depot and the University of Idaho to build the store on that site.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.