Divided RACC denies application for facade work

A divided Redevelopment Authority Citizens Committee (RACC) denied an application to its facade improvement program.

An application for matching funds to paint a commercial building at 302 Minnesota St., was rejected when, after much discussion, RACC voted 3-3 on a motion to deny the application. Vice Chair Jason Justice made the motion to deny the application and members Ronni Hannaman and Mike Smith voted with him. Chair Court Cardinal and members John Barrette and Lee Kennedy voted no.

The applicant, Cowee Investments LLC, represented by Joe Cowee at the Tuesday special meeting, has seven days to appeal the decision to the Redevelopment Authority (RDA).

Carson City Community Development staff recommended approving $9,292.50, or half the estimated $18,585 cost to repaint the building.

For the committee members, part of the issue was language in the resolution passed by the RDA on Jan. 5, 2017 that continued and amended the facade improvement program. That resolution says properties are ineligible if they are receiving tax incentives.

The Minnesota Street property is in the historic district and does have a property tax deferment, and it is unclear whether that is considered an incentive.

There was also discussion whether the front of the building is the only part of it visible from the street. Only work done on facades that can be seen from the street are eligible for matching funds from the program.

RACC considered tabling the item, but Dan Yu, chief deputy district attorney, recommended taking some action in order to push it up to the RDA, which is the authority that can take action to clarify the resolution if needed.

RACC also voted to recommend the RDA approve an expenditure of $4,500 to support the Downtown Business Association’s (DBA).

Passport to Downtown event. The three year-old event takes place on the Friday before the Nevada Day Parade to draw people to shop downtown. Participants receive a passport to get stamped at different businesses and redeem it for raffle tickets for a chance at $5,000 in prizes.

The DBA requested $9,000, but RACC decided to recommend half that amount because it provides funds to larger events, such as Taste of Downtown, which received $7,500, for less.