Downtown may get face lift from city

The Carson City Redevelopment Authority may 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.

Windows for a new entrance, 1800s-style gutters and six new outdoor signs will improve the exterior appearance, preservation and historical integrity of the Carson City Mint building, according to the Nevada State Museum's application for incentive funding.

"It will be a much more attractive and enhanced look," Nevada State Museum Director Jim Barmore said Monday.

Internal renovations of the exhibit galleries on flooring, heating and ventilation will also increase visitor comfort, safety and accessibility, Barmore said.

At Thursday's city board meeting, city supervisors could approve $35,000 for 20 percent of the building's renovation costs

They also could OK an application by Stew's Corp. for 20 percent of renovation costs up to $100,000 on the former Lucky Spur building at 302 and 306 S. Carson St.

For the past 10 months, building owners Michael Stewart and 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."

Stewart said the new family restaurant/casino will be open for business within the next four to six weeks.

The project will improve the infrastructure and reopen a keystone historic building downtown, according to Stewart's application for incentive funding.

The Spur, built in the 1800s in the middle of downtown and abandoned 20 years ago, has long been referred to as an eyesore by city officials and residents until the new owners began renovation, keeping the original building intact.

Stewart said upgrading the building's power system has taken longer than he planned.

"We had hoped to open by the end of the summer, but we keep running into little things that you don't plan on," Stewart said. "It is frustrating, but we're getting there."

The incentive funding would help to offset costs of upgrading the building's sewer, water and power systems and assist in attaining financing, Stewart said.

Barmore said renovations to the Nevada State Museum began last February and are scheduled for completion next June.

He said the total cost of renovation, partially funded by the Nevada Public Works Capital Improvement Projects fund, is just under $2 million.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors will review both applications Thursday.

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

IF YOU GO

What: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting

When: 8:30 a.m. Thursday

Where: Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

INCENTIVE PACKAGES

Nevada State Museum:

Grant: $35,000, for a nearly $2 million project

For: Windows for a new entrance, 1800s-style gutters and six new outdoor signs to improve the exterior appearance, preservation and historical integrity of the Carson City Mint building. Also internal renovations of the exhibit galleries flooring, heating and ventilation.