State: NSP building won't close

The old warden's house at Nevada State Prison will not be torn down, according to state representatives.

The Carson City Historic Resources Commission has an item on its agenda today to address the "possible demolition" of the building.

Mike Drews, Historic Resources Commission chairman, said he had heard the state would tear down the abandoned two-story building at the historic prison in Carson City.

Drews will ask the commission today to send a letter to the state saying the commission opposes tearing down the building.

But the Nevada Department of Corrections and the State Public Works Board have no plans to tear down the building, according to Suzanne Pardee of the corrections department and Gustavo Nunez of the public works board.

Greg Smith, acting Nevada State Prison warden, said the building finished in 1925 does need repairs. It has been abandoned for about 50 years.

"We have no appetite to tear it down," he said. "Our appetite is how do we bring it back."

Smith said he's not sure how much restoration would cost.

Both he and Drews said it's a historic building worth saving.

Some of the house was built with stone from an on-site quarry that supplied stone for the prison established in 1862, the Nevada State Capitol and the Carson City Mint, according to the corrections department.

"At one point, it was just beautiful," Smith said.

WHAT: Carson City Historic Resources Commission meeting

WHERE: Carson City Community Center, Sierra Room, 851 E. William St.

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. today