Three plans for City Center Project unveiled

Developers tasked with preparing a feasibility study for Carson City's downtown City Center Project unveiled three possible plans during a public workshop Wednesday evening.

P3 President and Project Director Mike Courtney said the study would determine whether the project is viable and, ultimately, whether the city wants to enter into a development contract.

All three preliminary drawings included elements the city requested such as a new library with a business incubator and digital media lab, a public plaza, hotel, parking, retail space, housing and office space, but with different placements.

The focus of the project is on the downtown eight acres of parking lots to the east of the Carson Nugget. Plans include options for closing some streets now used almost exclusively to access parking lots.

"It's a balancing act," Courtney said.

Some streets would be narrowed so that sidewalks could be widened.

More than 100 people turned out to hear the presentation, ask questions and offer suggestions.

Beth Scott said she would like to see the integrity of the downtown street grid maintained throughout the project so that access to the area does not become a problem.

Joan Mally, who is in her 80s, said she would like the plaza to provide some sort of protection from winter weather so people like her could enjoy more activities.

With the exception of the plaza, library and infrastructure, the City Center Project would be privately funded if the board of supervisors accepts the feasibility study in September.

The cost of the study is $166,365, with $75,000 coming from the Redevelopment Authority, $75,000 from the Mae B. Adams Trust and $16,365 from the Carson City Library Gift Fund.

The next step in the feasibility process will be a library board presentation on July 29.