City, schools agree on land swap

The school district and the city are moving forward with a land swap that will result in an extension of Stewart Street and reconfiguration of the campus housing Pioneer and Opportunity high schools.

Under the agreement, first proposed four years ago, the street will run through the west side of the Corbett campus.

"It doesn't affect the main buildings, and it doesn't displace any kids," said Mike Mitchell, director of operations for the Carson City School District.

Mitchell and City Manager Larry Werner presented the plan to the school board at its Tuesday meeting.

In exchange for the property the city will receive from the school district, it will give the school a portion of land to the south.

"It gives the city the money it needs, and it gives us a better configuration of our property," Mitchell said. "It works out pretty neat."

The property will be used at first, Mitchell said, as a parking lot for the alternative high schools.

"It will get all of our cars off the surrounding streets," he said. "In the long-term, it gives us flexibility on any expansion ideas."

Mitchell said one portable building was removed from the site in anticipation of the land swap and another will need to be moved.

The project, which the city first estimated would cost $5.2 million, went out to bid for $3.2 million.

In addition to the school, the city also acquired First Christian Church and three homes that were all demolished for the extension.

A portion of Corbett Street between the school and the new property will also be abandoned.

"With the (school) on both sides of the street, there's no real purpose for it to be a public street," Werner said.

The extension of Stewart Street, which now dead ends just past William Street, will make an S-shaped road that will eventually connect with Moody Street, which will then be renamed Stewart Street.

The extension is intended to reduce traffic on Roop and Carson streets.

"Hopefully it will relieve the downtown corridor and take some of the load off Carson Street," Werner said.

Stewart Street will run about two miles from Carson Street until it connects with Roop Street just past Dan Street.

- Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.