Carson City Board of Supervisors want more business input in downtown project

The Carson City Board of Supervisors told city public works officials Thursday they need to get more input from Carson Street businesses and property owners as they continue designing the downtown project.

Engineering Manager Danny Rotter said they have been trying to contact businesses throughout the downtown zone, sending out 73 invitations to different entities but only a few of them attended meetings on the project. He said they have talked to probably a dozen of the 25-30 property owners.

Supervisor Jim Shirk said he will want to see the results of what businesses say on how the design and the actual construction will impact them.

“A lot of businesses are starting to think forward: how is this going to work for me,” said Rotter.

During actual construction, Rotter said contractor Q&D Construction is working on a phasing plan for the project to minimize the impact on businesses including how to make sure they can get their customers and deliveries in and out of their stores.

“The overwhelming majority of businesses have said get in and get out,” he said. “If you’re going to be in front of my business, do it as quick as possible.”

He said the city plans to eliminate a couple of planned parking spaces in front of the Legislature at the request of the Legislative Counsel Bureau. And the wooden walkway in front of Firkin & Fox will be replaced with stamped concrete.

Third Street will be turned into a small plaza with a stage for musical events. Rotter said that will eliminate about 14 parking spaces currently on Third Street but that about 25 new spaces will be added on Carson Street itself.

Carson Street itself will become one lane in each direction with parking spots along the route from Fifth Street to William Street, with planter boxes, grassy open spaces and trees along both sides.

The project will cost about $11 million. The design is now 30 percent completed. Public works will report back to the board periodically throughout the design and construction of the project.