Downtown responses to the 1/8th cent tax and plans to move forward

I asked several downtown people what they think or feel about the passing of the 1/8th cent sales tax and what they see for Carson City’s future. The feelings are mixed, but the hope for an improved Carson City are united, the methods on how to do it have been up for discussion for many years and will be for many years to come.

Doreen Mack, Lofty Expressions, founder of the 20/20: This has been a 3 year process and I am excited about what this means to our community, particularly our Downtown. We are currently working on making changes in the downtown that are sustainable, before sewer construction begins. Now that this has passed, it gives us a budget and format that we will be busily working on. We will keep you informed as we make progress.

Supervisor Karen Abowd: I am excited for Carson City with the passing of the 1/8th cent initiative as it provides the tools to accomplish the corridor improvements and the ability to build the much needed Big Mac and Animal Shelter. Now having the ability to achieve that "drive to" community we open the door for economic development and increased tourism traffic. I am excited about the possibilities for the future of our city and it's ability to thrive. All Carson City residents benefit from a thriving community. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working with businesses and citizens to fine tune the details for each of the plans so that the best results of that collaboration are realized. The work has just begun but together we can design Carson City's future.

John P. Rutledge, Rutledge Law Center and Democratic Candidate, running for Governor of Nevada:
I would very much enjoy a downtown area that is replete with ample walkable and recreation spaces, customer-centric businesses, and an eclectic, diverse restaurant array that amalgamate to complement the architectural beauty of the capitol grounds and the rich historical legacy of our amazing town. I look forward to Carson City's continued development as outsiders and locals alike discover (or, in some cases, re-discover) the amazing gem that is our town.

We've got it all - an amazing location next to Tahoe (but with better weather), a diverse, eclectic population mix (with residents from all over the world), and a business community ready, willing, and able to aggressively compete in the worldwide marketplace.

Jeannette Kelley, owner of the Carson Horseshoe Club: I believe this is a vital step that will provide a tremendous opportunity for our City to invest more into our own community and enhance it with the improvement projects all over town that are currently in the planning stages. This should allow much of the funds to be brought in from outside the community as well. Carson City has so many unique, appealing features that can be enhanced, promoted, and enjoyed. Our Downtown is an exceptional area that has so much potential to become an even more vibrant and active place to live, work, play, dine and shop! I would love to see Carson City and its Downtown become a major destination. It will be so nice to see our community thrive for the benefit of our residents and visitors.

June Joplin, owner of Comma Coffee: I will tell you what I think. And though I suspect it is not an unpopular opinion, few in my situation have the courage to speak it. We are all so desperate for something to be done to "save" the historic district, and our livelihoods, before the bypass is completed.
I've owned a business in Carson City for almost 14 years, Comma Coffee.

Through those years I have heard and witnessed much ado about the downtown redevelopment. The city has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, for outside "experts" to tell us how to turn our city into the equivalent of a "Walnut Creek", or how to "Brand" our city, all at astronomical costs to the citizens. Ugh.

None of which has been accomplished. For the costs and efforts of these "pie in the sky" IDEAS, we in the historic downtown district could have on our own, revitalized the area two times over in concrete ways, been done with it, and well on our way by now.

Finally people were listening to Doreen Mack. A woman who has lived here all her life, is one of the most passionate people I know about the downtown corridor, has her own business in the community, and puts her money where her mouth is. Doreen and city planners worked together to design a plan to begin the change in the downtown district to make it pedestrian friendly, safe and interesting, before the by pass is completed turning Nevada's Historic Capital City into a virtual ghost town.

Her plan was simple and affordable. Costing tens of thousands instead of millions. Simple, efficient, baby steps that do not put more burden on the already overtaxed citizens. An affordable plan to instigate a necessary change in how the downtown is viewed. Even a reversible plan, should it not bode well. However, simple and affordable is seldom the path of government, no matter its size.

We, landlords and businesses, jumped through all the hoops that the city fathers demanded; Forming a group, Downtown 20/20 with t-shirts and banners even, strategizing events, establishing our own little government with presidents and officers and chairmen and, and, and..., to "PROVE" to the BOS that we were serious? really? as though working our asses off for years on our own to build thriving businesses that contribute to our community was not enough.

Basically it seems to have been a bureaucratic stalling tactic. And somewhere in the mix, we arrived back where we started, with a grandiose plan to re-develop the entire city, and raise taxes to do so. A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR plan!I call BS, Joplin said.

I have hoped to live long enough, myself and my shop, to see the downtown historic district become as I have always seen her. A beautiful walk about town, full of vendors, music, art, people and life, a destination. It is possible. I think we are going about it wrong. I worry I will not live long enough, said Joplin.

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As president of the downtown 20/20, our group will continue to work with the City ,organizations and community to help Carson city move forward with a plan, passion, enthusiasm, and use all resources to be cost efficient and conscious of a community watching our every good effort.