Carson Nugget sale in the works

A developer might buy the Carson Nugget as part of a larger plan to improve downtown that could include a hotel, convention center, retail stores and a parking garage, according to officials at the Carson Nugget.

The Adams family, owner of the Carson Nugget, would continue to manage the Carson City casino as a nonprofit that benefits charities in Carson City under a possible agreement with the unnamed developer, according to Carson Nugget Chief Financial Officer Star Anderson.

The slow economy has hurt the Carson Nugget, which laid off 22 workers last month, she said, but the new owner would help turn around one of the city's oldest downtown casinos and allow the Adams family to help improve the city.

Star and other Carson Nugget officials declined to name the developer, the proposed selling price of the casino and detailed plans of what the developer has proposed.

The Carson Nugget will be the first part of the developer's plan to help redevelop the downtown and the 80,000-square-foot casino, according to Carson Nugget General Manager Kevin Beaton. He said he can't name specific details of the plan, however, because nothing has been finalized besides the dream of the Adams family to improve Carson City through the charitable foundation it will set up.

"We just want to do the right thing for Carson City," he said.

The Carson Nugget was built in 1950 and is owned by Alan Howard Adams and Mae Adams under a corporation created in 1963 called Carson Nugget Inc., according to city and state records.

Alan Adams also owns Doppelgangers Brewery in Carson City.

Steve Neighbors of Meridian, Idaho-based Strategic & Operational Solutions is working with the Adams family on the agreement with the developer and said the point of the project is to do what's best for Carson City by transforming it into a major destination for visitors.

This could include an entrepreneur center and developments outside of downtown, he said, to improve the economy and create good-paying jobs.

"We believe that bringing in more casinos isn't the answer," he said.

It's a "big picture" way of thinking that the developer and the Adams family agree on, he said.

The development would be great for the city, said Supervisor Robin Williamson, especially a convention center, which the city "desperately" needs.

"If the Nugget is successful, our entire downtown will be successful," she said.

The casino will hold its 51st annual free Thanksgiving dinner this year.

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