Authority hears multiple ideas for tackling redevelopment

Discussion Monday on use of Carson City redevelopment money over the next five years included funds for closing of 3rd Street or Minnesota Street, which were advanced in two different proposals.

The discussion at the Redevelopment Authority Citizens Committee session also included an FM radio station possibility, fiber to help local businesses with communications, helping finance events or holding up on projects until one emerges that all members can support with, perhaps, $1 million of the $1.5 million currently uncommitted over those five years.

“Is there something here that strikes us all as a priority?” asked Lori Bagwell, the committee’s chairperson, at one point. Bagwell had suggested the discussion, and even though action could be taken she urged that members mull the prospects and return next month with preferences.

The meeting opened with representatives of the Brewery Arts Center (BAC) during the public comment period providing a preliminary push for their two ideas: an old one to close Minnesota Street from West King Street to West 2nd Street so the BAC can become a seamless campus; the newer one to begin a low power FM radio station called KNVC at the city media center in the BAC Performance Hall.

Chris Bayer, BAC board president, said money wasn’t being sought Monday for those ideas, but John Shelton, BAC executive director, added such a request wasn’t being made yet. It couldn’t because the proposal wasn’t on the agenda. The pair presented committee members with a five-page memorandum on the projects, which said the BAC would start trying to raise $136,000 for them even before coming to the city. The pair called them infrastructure projects.

During the subsequent discussion prompted by Bagwell, members kicked around several other ideas as well.

Ronni Hannaman put forward her preference for closing 3rd Street from Carson to Curry streets, putting in pavers and enhancing it with an outdoor stage, Bagwell floated several ideas for consideration, including the matter of fiber for businesses or helping with infrastructure to fill vacant business buildings.

Garrett Lepire first suggested continued financing for events, but urged whatever is selected be done well and via a “laser-like process” to help focus. After hearing Hannaman, Lepire sounded more amenable to her idea as a possibility. Jean Perpich, meanwhile, praised the just-finished Nevada 150 Fair and talked of a sign for Fuji Park and Fairgrounds.

Maurice Washington, an Airport Authority member, by then was the only audience member left to testify and used his public comment time to suggest redevelopment funding be used to upgrade city sidewalks.