Redevelopment looks to transfer $1M for new projects

Redevelopment officials want to use $1 million for downtown projects the Redevelopment Authority was going to use toward a downtown parking garage.

Possible projects include the renovation and expansion of the Carson Mall, the new library and the St. Charles Hotel.

City supervisors, the same members in the Redevelopment Authority, will look at the proposal at their meeting Thursday.

Economic Development Manager Joe McCarthy said the city still wants to get more parking downtown and that could be part of one of the new projects.

The city had looked at working with the Carson Nugget to build the parking garage. McCarthy said that still was a possibility.

Supervisor and head of the Redevelopment Authority Robin Williamson said the city wants downtown projects to be successful and the authority's well-defined and responsible incentive program can help.

The owner of the Carson Mall, Francis Carrington, has said he could need up to $6 million in incentives from the city to renovate the mall. The city is working with the mall, Williamson said, and incentives could be given in phases.

There are tentative plans to move the city library to the federal building at the corner of Washington and Stewart streets, too, along with attracting retail and housing around it. The area is called the Roundhouse Cultural District Project.

Peter Barton, acting administrator for the state division of museums and history, said a "linear park" could eventually connect the Nevada State Museum, the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada and the new library.

Plans will develop once downtown Carson Street goes to two lanes and a "kinder, gentler" downtown comes, he said, and right now Roundhouse Project leaders aren't sure if they'll need redevelopment funds.

For the downtown St. Charles Hotel, the English-style pub The Firkin and Fox is scheduled to open soon. McCarthy, in another item for Thursday, will ask the Redevelopment Authority for $100,000 for the hotel owners to help them with a $1.2 million renovation of the 145-year-old hotel.

A former owner got about $30,000 toward his $450,000 improvement of the 310 S. Carson St. building.

Williamson said redevelopment officials also are working with new arts and culture coalitions to improve downtown.

If you go

WHAT: Carson City Board of

Supervisors meeting

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Thursday

WHERE: Sierra Room of the

Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Other city news:

• The Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Sierra Room.

• The Carson River Advisory Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Sierra Room.

• Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.