City to consider purchase of nearly 500 acres in Carson River Canyon

Carson City supervisors on Thursday will consider whether to buy nearly 500 acres for open space in the Carson River Canyon.

The action calls for the board to authorize the purchase of the Bently property from the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway.

The sale is for $1.6 million, which is $200,000 under the estimated value of $1.8 million, but the commission has agreed to buy from Don Bently and to sell the entire property to Carson City. The city would then agree to provide the commission with exclusive easements for the continuation of the historic V&T Railway project from Virginia City to Carson City.

A $650,000 grant from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act's Parks, Trails and Natural Area Program will help pay for the land.

In January 2011, the city bought nearly 419 acres from John Serpa for open space along the river east of Deer Run Road. The other side of the plan included the Bently property.

The city hopes eventually to turn the entire acreage along the Carson River into a passive recreation area which includes the city's Aquatic Trail.

In other matters, supervisors are scheduled to discuss or take action to:

• Approve the purchase of eight sheriff's vehicles in the amount of about $220,000.

• Approve several planning and zoning items.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Go to carson.org to download an agenda and a complete information packet.

Other meetings this week:

• The Parks and Recreation Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Sierra Room.

• The Wednesday Redevelopment Authority meeting has been canceled.