City to aid downtown redevelopment

The city will pay a total of $135,000 to fund renovations to the old Lucky Spur building and the Carson City Mint building, home to the Nevada State Museum.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to grant $35,000 in redevelopment incentive funding to the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St., and $100,000 to Michael Stewart, co-owner of the new "Spur" at 302 N. Carson St.

The museum will get help funding six new outdoor signs, windows for a new entrance and improved 1800's-style gutters.

Supervisors agreed Thursday the improvements will preserve the physical and historical integrity of the Carson City Mint building, but called for the Redevelopment Authority Citizen's Committee to draft separate incentive standards for state-funded entities such the museum, which is partially funded by the Nevada Public Works Capital Improvement Projects fund.

"The museum doesn't pay property taxes," said Supervisor Pete Livermore. "Is there a separate application for them?"

Redevelopment Manager Joe McCarthy said there is no separate application, but the citizen's committee is drafting new standards for publicly funded organizations.

Stew's Corp. also received incentive funding for 20 percent of renovation costs up to $100,000 on the former Lucky Spur building on North Carson Street, contingent upon its purchase of the Spur building.

For the past 10 months, Stewart and Stew's Corp. co-owner Scott Johnson have spent more than $1.7 million turning the Lucky Spur into "The Spur," a 10,000-square-foot micro-brew restaurant and casino featuring "Stew's Sportatorium Grill."

The new family restaurant/casino will be open for business within the next 4-6 weeks, Stewart said Thursday.

Contact reporter Robyn Moormeister at rmoormeister@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.