The letter was written July 21 by Lynn Hettrick, deputy chief of staff to Governor Jim Gibbons, and addressed to Mark Lewis, who was the consultant for the Hop & Mae Adams Foundation, brought onto the project by Nugget President Steve Neighbors.

"We are disappointed that the State of Nevada's support for and participation in this project appears to be overstated," the letter reads. "...Though the proposition of a more attractive downtown core which generates jobs and business is very appealing, our concerns regarding adequate parking and measurable cost savings remains unaddressed."

At issue is the feasibility study done by Meridian Business Advisors, to show that the state can save money by moving three state agencies to the new project.

One key point Hettrick tackles is claim in the study that the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services can reduce its current operations space from 234,596 square feet to 139,691 sq. ft. in the new development, while retaining 19,908 sq. ft. of its current space.

"I contacted the Director of DHHS and asked him if he agreed that his operations can be housed in 139,691 sq. ft.," the letter reads. "He told me that that was not possible and that his discussions regarding the possible relocation were conceptual in nature and did not include the reduction of 75,000 sq. ft. of operations space."

Hettrick goes on to question the lack of consideration for retaining the 19,908 sq. ft. for DHHS, the problems with renegotiating existing leases, and lack of savings in personnel and IT costs due to the retention of some of the existing space.

In related news, Carson City Manager Larry Werner sent out a media release this afternoon stating that the city, the foundation and P3 Development have agreed to extend the timeframe for the feasibility study.

When contacted for comment, Werner said they are experiencing delays in getting land appraisals finished, which are need to figure lease rates for the land. He said the appraisals should be done by mid-August.

Werner said the Hettrick letter did not factor into the delay, but that it will necessitate further discussions on the issues it raises.

Under the new timeframe, the Carson Nugget Development Advisory Committee will now meet on Aug. 30, and the presentation to Board of Supervisors will be on September 16.

Hettrick Letter: