Grants for downtown buildings offered

Carson City’s Redevelopment Authority is offering grants up to $25,000 to improve the exterior facades of buildings and signs in the redevelopment district.

Commercial property owners will have to pay at least half the cost of the improvements.

“With corridor improvements moving ahead, redevelopment has taken a forward-thinking approach in its support of the façade improvement program,” said Supervisor Karen Abowd, who chairs the authority.

She said owners will be asked to improve the look of building exteriors consistent with the historical context of the structures.

Community Development Director Lee Plemel said the idea is to promote downtown property owners to invest in their properties. He said the grant money is available to all commercial buildings in the redevelopment district, not just the downtown. That includes the area south of John Street and South Carson Street to the U.S. 50 interchange.

A total of $200,000 has been allocated to the program.