Residents creating a healthy buzz in Carson City

There's a healthy buzz about town in Carson City and it's coming from residents' contributions to a place where, among other things:

• Neighbor to neighbor, we make a difference,

• We have a four-year college,

• We value the vibrancy created by students, both young and young at heart,

• We value our many opportunities for lifelong learning,

• We have state-of-the-art healthcare,

• We have an up-and-coming lively downtown,

• We have the privilege of being a capital city

• We're petite at 136 square miles,

• We're surrounded by iconic cultural and natural beauty, and

• We're the only county in Nevada that taxes itself for open space.

Still, ever-present change is on the horizon. Consider for a moment two significant business imperatives for healthy change that communities all across the country understand:

• Industry that creates technical, professional, high-paying jobs will invest in communities that offer quality of life.

• The No. 1 tourist activity in America is shopping and dining in an authentic, pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Today, largely because of the timing of the freeway connection to Fairview Drive, one of our premium economic and visitor opportunities lies within a redeveloped town center.

"Redevelopment efforts last summer enjoyed a particularly successful citizen-led shot in the arm from Carson City's Downtown Consortium," said Supervisor and Redevelopment Authority Chairwoman Robin Williamson.

By taking advantage of opportunity presented by a marketplace that places quality of life amenities at a premium, the master plan Envision Carson City (adopted in 2006), is the city's road map to a better community - not just in downtown but throughout town.

"Last year over 300 volunteers set themselves on an ambitious task to 'get something done in downtown' and in less than seven months, in partnership with the city's Office of Business Development, the consortium delivered many completed projects - a few include downtown farmers market, new crosswalks, ongoing downtown cleanup and planting of the Laxalt Plaza. They also delivered recommendations I support and take very much to heart. In my view the consortium has helped us reach a positive tipping point," Williamson added.

Responsible for the 82 new flower baskets in downtown, the consortium's "flower power" sponsorship program (which notes donor names or memorials on plaques on the downtown light poles) is still available. The consortium the community in the loop about this and other efforts with a comprehensive Web site, www.downtownanswers.com and collects members on Facebook. All are invited to learn and join from the homepage link.

As a lifelong resident of Carson City (CHS class of '82), I know a special moment in time when I see it, and because downtown has waited long enough I would sign up twice if I could!

• Tammy Westergard is deputy manager of the Carson City Office of Business Development. Send questions and feedback to twestergard@ci.carson-city.nv.us.