Carson business to ask supervisors for redevelopment moratorium exemption

A Carson City business wants the city to help it remodel a downtown building despite the city's moratorium on redevelopment spending.

The board of supervisors will look at the incentive at their meeting Thursday.

Business Development Office Director Joe McCarthy said the business, DSE #4 LLC, had been working with his office before supervisors approved the moratorium Feb. 19, and thus should be eligible for $53,520 in funds. The money would go toward converting a four-unit apartment at 503 N. Nevada St. into offices.

"This redevelopment project rehabilitates an abandoned eyesore situated in the center of our historic downtown that was formerly substandard housing," he said in the report to the city.

DSE turned in its incentive application March 23. Supervisors said in February they wanted redevelopment spending policy and procedures developed before they approved any more projects.

The total cost of remodeling the 3,000-square-foot building is about $267,500, DSE project manager Debbie Vaughan said in a letter to the city.

"Our plan is consistent with the Carson City Comprehensive Master Plan, provides preservation for the historic structure, provides benefit to the general public and advances the future vision for downtown," Vaughan said in the letter.

Vaughan could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The project won't be hurt if the city delays funding until redevelopment policy is defined, Supervisor Shelly Aldean said.

The city should have a "sense of urgency" to define redevelopment policy so supervisors can make sure they are supporting worthy projects, she said.

"I really think we need to honor the wishes of the board," she said.

Funding for redevelopment comes from property taxes in redevelopment zones in the downtown and south side of the city.