Planning commission may vote for seventh street closure

The future of Carson City's gaming corridor between the Ormsby House and Carson Station may see some major changes with city approval of the closure of a portion of West Seventh Street.

Carson City planning commissioners are to vote today on a request by the Ormsby House to take over West Seventh Street between Curry and Carson streets, a stretch of road that measures 66 by 170 feet.

As part of a long-term, $10 million remodel of the casino, the owners want to extend the parking south to the Arco gas station and an adjacent parking lot.

A planning department review of the plan recommends approval. If approved, a final vote by city supervisors will pave the way for extension of the parking lot.

Also on today's agenda is a request by Carson Station to abandon portions of right-of-way on West Eighth and Curry streets to make way for a four-story parking garage.

Submitted plans call for the parking garage to extend into city-owned right-of-way approximately 10 feet on Eighth Street, and 2 feet on South Curry Street.

"The plan is to abandon a little right-of-way, but the streets would remain open," said city senior planner Skip Canfield.

The department, however, opposes approval of Carson Station's requests, and proposes alternatives of 8 feet on West Eighth Street and 3 feet on Curry Street.

A pending case before the Nevada Supreme Court may affect both street abandonment requests.

In question is whether the city or property owners own the right-of-way. The answer is connected to the historical review of how the streets were acquired by the city.

Pending a decision, redevelopment funding may be available for the Ormsby House and Carson Station to complete construction projects that will benefit the downtown corridor.

The Citizen's Redevelopment Committee recently recommended approval of up to $100,000 in redevelopment funding for the Ormsby House contingent on it's completion of a remodel. The Carson Station may be eligible for the same benefits.

What: Carson City Planning Commission

Where: Community Center's Sierra Room

When: 3:30 p.m. today