Street Narrowing

The Nevada Appeal had a letter-to-the-editor (dated May 1, 2016) stating:
The Downtown Project is more than aesthetics and declared: “Seventy percent of the total expenditures of the downtown project, currently underway, are for vital infrastructure improvements that are failing and run right down the middle of Carson Street under the medians.”
Here are the most up-to-date facts on funding amounts presently available for this project.

Downtown Streetscape Funding
Description Funding
Water $2,029,000.00
Sewer $637,000.00

The reconstruction of Carson Street in the downtown corridor will be proceeding as planned this year, said Carson City Transportation Manager Patrick Pittenger.

Construction is expected to begin in March and last until November, Pittenger said, but the project is not going to interfere with Nevada Day Parade festivities.

By then, he said, all of the messy work will be finished and what’s left will be mostly clean-up items.

“We will be open for Nevada Day,” Pittenger said. “When we’re done, Carson Street will be one lane in each direction.”

With the New Year upon us let me begin this document by wishing you and yours a Happy New Year. May the year 2016 bring peace and happiness to each and every one of you.

This New Year will be a busy one for Carson City. Foremost on our minds, perhaps, is the Downtown Street Narrowing Project due to begin early February/March depending on weather conditions. One of the goals stated by Carson City staff is to have this project complete in time for the Nevada Day parade. We should, however, keep our chief consideration foremost: “Let's do it Right.”

Are you having panic attacks, doubts, concerns or uncertainty, topped off with a sense of skepticism about the narrowing of Carson Street? If so, surprise, you are in the majority.

Know this, the project will go forward. Why? Because, the 1/8 of a cent sales tax that will fund the Downtown Carson City project had been approved by the Board of Supervisors with a 4 to 1 vote.

There is a lot of energy in the downtown corridor of Carson City. Great restaurants, shopping, and character. A number of decisions, coming soon, will have an impact on the desirability of Carson City’s downtown, the city as a visitor and business relocation destination, and ultimately property values. A large faction of citizens, seem to think parking is the issue with the vitality of our downtown. Over the course of this article I’d like to uncover whether that’s really the issue or not, and bring up some important points.