Retail project set for former Earnhardt Ford site

Phoenix Business Journal - by Jan Buchholz Phoenix Business Journal

The southwest corner of Rural and Baseline roads in Tempe looks radically different after an eight-week demolition process that will make way for a 147,000-square-foot Lowe's home improvement store and other retailers.

Earnhardt Ford had been a mainstay at the intersection since 1976. But the Earnhardt family decided to consolidate Ford sales at its Chandler location on

Orchid Lane last year and placed the Tempe property on the market.

"We had a lot of interest, and we wanted to sell it to someone who would do something good for the community and someone we could deal with in a quick manner," said Jim Earnhardt, president and co-owner of Earnhardt Auto Centers.