Station Grille seeks $50,000 in Carson City redevelopment money for remodeling

The Station Grille and Rotisserie could receive $50,000 in Carson City redevelopment funds to help cover its $280,000 remodel and expansion.

Carson City supervisors are expected to decide today whether to award the incentive funding to Capital City Entertainment, a company owned by Clark Russell, who also owns Carson Station Casino, the Piñon Plaza and the grill.

Last month, the grille was officially annexed into the downtown redevelopment district, which was necessary for the property to receive redevelopment funds.

Russell applied for the incentive funds in early 2004.

The new covered patio, banquet room and bar/lounge area were completed last year. The entire project was finished in July.

Carole Conklin, the grill's general manager, said the renovations have helped make the 1105 S. Carson St. restaurant more competitive.

"By enclosing the outside patio, we've gained 75 seats, and it allows us to use it as a banquet room as well as dining space," she said.

The glass-enclosed patio is used for Friday night live jazz performances. The business now has three banquet rooms seating from 22 to 180. Conklin also added three employees since the expansion was completed.

Joe McCarthy, Carson City economic development and redevelopment manager, said the Redevelopment Authority Citizens Committee unanimously approved the application last year because of its merit, but then it got delayed with a few technical problems.

"We had to do a legal description of the grill's property and then make sure that it was included in the redevelopment district before we brought it before the supervisors," McCarthy said.

A redevelopment district is an area where property tax dollars are used to help fund economic development projects for private business owners.

"This is an application that is truly consistent with the redevelopment incentive program," he said. "The Station Grille really did a terrific upgrade on its facility, which will support all the properties around it, such as Copper Pointe Plaza and Red's Old 395 Grill."

Jack Sterling, co-owner of Red's, said even though the two are in close competition he is glad to hear that the grill could receive incentive funds.

"They did a beautiful job," he said. "It's a nice restaurant. It's just good for our area."

McCarthy said the Carrington Group, which owns the Carson Mall, is also seeking to make façade improvements to attract more retail business.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.