The news that the old Kmart building on the city's north side has been purchased by a retail developer and could be rented out in 2007 was an early present to Carson City.
And its timing could not have been better, just as the city begins the huge challenge of dealing with financial shortfalls caused by declines in sales tax revenue and growing expenses.
The sale of the building and its occupancy by yet-to-be-announced retail tenants won't be enough to solve that problem. But it's a good beginning.
The building has been among the most popular topics in any discussion about what's wrong with Carson City. Not only was the space failing to generate desperately needed sales tax dollars, its vacancy acted as a billboard to those entering from the north that this is a city with economic problems.
Now it will be a sign that Carson City is on the way to becoming an economically vibrant community again, which could work wonders in not only attracting shoppers, but more retailers realizing that local residents don't want to travel to Reno to find more variety in their shopping.
Another frequent topic in conversations about what's wrong with Carson City is the empty Wal-Mart store owned by Max Baer Jr., who is prohibited by regulations from developing a casino there.
It's developed into a stalemate, with Baer unwilling to relinquish his casino dream.
We don't know what the answer to that problem will be, but we know the city, especially its south side, will suffer until it is developed.
Let's hope we won't have to wait until next Christmas for that to happen.
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