City funds Adele's, Plaza renovations

Carson City Redevelopment Authority will pay $200,000 to help fund renovations at Adele's Restaurant and the Plaza Hotel, officials decided Thursday.

A building renovation and beautification of the parking area at Adele's Restaurant at Carson and John streets will allow easier access for deliveries and provide customers with accessible restrooms and a safer restaurant.

City supervisors acting as the redevelopment authority approved a $100,000 incentive fund for owners Charles and Karen Abowd to cover 20 percent of the project costs. A redevelopment citizen's committee approved the payment in May, pending final approval from supervisors.

"The main thing is, the building (will be) safer and as maintenance free as possible, in keeping with the character of the 1870s building," said construction manager Mark Lopiccolo with Lopiccolo Construction.

The redevelopment authority allows businesses in the downtown commercial core to apply for the incentive funding for 20 percent of the project cost up to $100,000.

The restaurant will remain open during construction, which is expected to break ground next month and take three months to complete.

The project will include the expansion of the lounge area at the west end of the building and the demolition of the northwest corner and incorporating two outbuildings into the main building. The parking lot will be resurfaced and restriped. The roof will be replaced, sidewalks on John Street will be resurfaced and landscaping will be enhanced.

A second project the redevelopment authority approved Thursday was a $100,000 incentive fund for is the new convention center at the Plaza Hotel.

Hotel owners are building onto the existing Wylie's Copy Center building, adding square footage to the rear and front to create a lobby and kitchen. The 32,000-square-foot center will include a rosewood chapel room to host a one-stop wedding location, where couples can take vows and host a reception.

"We're going to be able to do a full venue wedding with floral, photography, ceremony and reception," said hotel operator Mike Millard. "I think its great that we have this incentive for our community. I think it will help rehab downtown."

When opened in July, the center will be available for local associations, businesses and nonprofit organizations to rent small meeting rooms, or for larger events.

The hotel is also adding a new hotel wing with 33 suites, 18 deluxe rooms and more standard rooms. The suites are already reserved for the 2005 Legislative session.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.