Supervisors to decide whether City Center Project dies or flies

Whether the City Center Project will move forward or die will be decided Thursday when the Carson City Board of Supervisors meets.

City staff is recommending approval of the $49.6 million project based on the recommendation of the Carson City Center Advisory Committee, which voted 8-1 to proceed.

The publicly funded portion of the plan includes the Knowledge and Discovery Center, plaza, parking garage and related infrastructure, and will require $23.8 million. The remainder of the project - $26 million - would be funded with the donation of the land, as well as with federal and private sources.

Supervisors will first consider the motion in their role as the Redevelopment Authority, where they will be asked to approve a public commitment to the project of a 1/8-cent sales tax increase, which would generate $12 million (or alternate funding).

They also will consider redevelopment funds of $11.3 million and a one-time contribution of $500,000 from city utility funds.

The project would be accomplished by using a not-for-profit entity comprised of representatives of the board of supervisors, the Library Board of Trustees and the Mae B. Adams Trust. This entity would hold and contribute approximately three acres to the project.

The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Go to www.carson.org to download an agenda and a complete information packet. To download a PDF of the color H&K conceptual designs, click on Item 26, then use the drop-down arrows to find H&K Plans 1-3.

NNDA SEES PLANS

The proposed City Center project will top the agenda Tuesday morning at a breakfast meeting sponsored by the Northern Nevada Development Authority, The Carson Nugget and Coldwell Banker Commercial Premier Brokers.

The event, whose theme is "Good Things Happening in Carson City!," begins at 7 a.m. at the Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson St.

Three speakers are scheduled: Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell will outline the changes in Carson City and the health of commercial real estate in relation to the proposed City Center project; Brad Bonkowski, certified commercial investment member, will discuss the 2011 Carson City state of the market and its impact on the community; and Steve Neighbors, trustee of the Mae B. Adams Trust, will present the latest information regarding the proposed City Center Project.

On display will be the latest City Center Project redesigns and the newest conceptual renderings, and architects from the Reno firm H&K will be on hand.

Doors open at 7 a.m., the buffet breakfast starts at 7:30, and the speakers will begin at 7:40. Cost is $20 for NNDA investors and $35 for guests and those purchasing tickets at the door. For more information, contact the Northern Nevada Development Authority at (775) 883-4413 or nnda@nnda.org.

ALSO ON SUPERVISORS' AGENDA

The board of supervisors also is scheduled Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. to discuss or take action on the following items:

• A debriefing from the Carson City sheriff and fire chief on the Sept. 6 shooting incident.

• A proclamation for Poverty Awareness Week.

• Purchase of equipment by Public Works staff.

• Public hearing on the intent of the city to issue general obligation bonds for financing sewer and water projects.

• Renaming of La Rue Lane to Pardini Drive.

• An appeal of a Planning Commission decision to allow a multi-family apartment on property zoned residential office, located at 812 N. Division St.

• A first reading of amendments to two ordinances having to do with division of land and zoning.

• As the Board of Health, officials will hear a report on Carson City Health and Human Services activities, updates within the Women, Infants and Children program and changes to the date of the December meeting.