Teri Vance: Carson City Chamber hosts Carson Proud contest

Last Saturday was fairly typical for my husband and I. It started with the fundraiser for Willow Bill at A to Zen followed by the ever-popular Levitt AMP concert at the Brewery Arts Center.

At the conclusion of the concert, we headed down to McFadden Plaza to listen to the band playing on the outdoor stage there. When it finished, we moved along to Living the Good Life to catch the end of the live music there.

If we hadn’t chosen those particular events, there were plenty of others to choose from — including dining, visiting museums, hiking, biking or more.

There is so much to do downtown, and the Carson City Chamber of Commerce wants you to share your experiences.

“We hear lots of great comments from our visitors, now it’s your turn to let us know why you are #CarsonProud,” said Ronni Hannaman, executive director of the chamber. “Carson City Mayor Robert Crowell wants to know, too.”

The chamber is hosting an essay contest of no more than 400 words explaining what you love about the new and improved downtown Carson City.

“If you are the contest winner, you’ll be able to tell Mayor Crowell yourself why you are #CarsonProud when you enjoy a private lunch with him at Mangia Tutto, one of the new downtown restaurants attracted by our new and improved downtown,” Hannaman said. “I will present the winner with a #CarsonProud basket. The winning essay with be printed for all to read.”

The essay contest is designed to celebrate the downtown renovation.

“The revitalization of the downtown started in late 2015 with the advent of the #CarsonProud promotion that was created to engage and inform locals what to expect as the city progressed with the plans for revitalization,” Hannaman said. “Most of the downtown core has received the makeover promised.”

She pointed to some of the most impressive new elements.

“McFadden Plaza is now our go-to meeting place,” she said. “Carson Street is wider. Sidewalks are wider. There are plenty of bike racks and lots of benches on which to sit and watch Carsonites as they go about their business. New plantings are thriving that will add to our existing urban forest.”

And the improvements aren’t over.

“Part of Curry Street has been revitalized with plans for more revitalization around the Third Street area,” Hannaman said. “New restaurants have filled formerly vacant spaces. Many storefronts have been revitalized thanks to matching grants from the city’s redevelopment allocations, and there’s more to come.

“And, soon, the important gateway of South Carson Street will receive a needed makeover as well.”

The contest deadline is Aug. 31 and is open to all ages.

Submissions can be mailed or dropped off at the Chamber office at 1900 S. Carson St. Email submissions to manager@carsoncitychamber.com.

I know why I love Carson City. I am eager to hear your reasons as well.