On Friday, February 21, 2025 the Carson City Board of Supervisors will meet for the annual work session to discuss a number of items including an expansive development proposal, support services grants, short term rental regulations, and the selection process to appoint a new city manager.
Discussions return again to City Hall’s future with new proposal for reshaping downtown
For many years, the city has discussed whether or not the current city hall is sufficient for the central governance of Carson City.
During the work session, supervisors will again discuss future plans for possible relocation or construction of a new complex which would be able to house multiple city departments under one roof.
The building, which sits at the heart of downtown Carson City next to the Capitol complex, previously served as a bank prior to becoming City Hall.
As part of these ongoing discussions, Supervisors will review a $250 million downtown development proposal from the Hop & Mae Adams Foundation (HMAF), which aims to “revitalize Carson City’s downtown core” through a mix of public infrastructure, commercial development, and workforce housing.
According to the proposal the project includes:
- A new 60,000-square-foot City Hall
- A 300-car parking garage
- A 16,600-square-foot conference center
- An 80,000-square-foot public plaza
- Two hotels, workforce housing, apartments, restaurants, and retail spaces
According to the agenda, the project is expected to generate a $700 million economic impact with half over five years alone; create 1,500 jobs; and bring in an estimated $2 million annually in tax revenue for the city and school district.
The proposal states that a number of parcels would be transferred to the CCDC as part of the project including the parking lot behind city hall owned by the city, the parking lot adjacent owned by the state, and the properties owned by the Adams Foundation between Plaza Street and Stewart Street from Robinson to Proctor Street, the pizzeria at Musser and Stewart, the land and building of the Carson Nugget, a partial block north of Nevada Coin, and Arlington Square.
The multi-phase project would include:
New City Hall & Parking Garage
A 60,000-square-foot city hall would be developed alongside a 300-car parking structure. The city would lease the building for $2.1 million per year, with an option to sublease the fourth floor for an estimated $400,000 which could reduce the city’s cost to $1.7 million per year.
Conference Center & Public Plaza
A 16,600-square-foot conference center with breakout rooms is planned, alongside an 80,000-square-foot public plaza for community events, entertainment, and outdoor gatherings. Housing on several floors above the main buildings around the plaza are included in the vision.
Mixed-Use Private Development
Private developers are expected to contribute $200 million toward housing, hotels, retail, restaurants, and entertainment spaces. Plans include:
- Two higher-end hotels with approximately 100 rooms each
- 60 apartments and 24 workforce housing units
- Restaurants, bars, retail spaces, and casino upgrades
- Additional private parking
The nonprofit Carson City Development Corporation (CCDC) would oversee the project. The Hop & Mae Adams Foundation would provide initial capital, transfer land holdings, and assist with financing through tax-exempt public bonds. According to city staff, the city’s primary financial obligation would be a “triple net lease” on the new city hall and its portion of the parking garage.
The plan would be carried out in phases, with the first step requiring an agreement between HMAF, Carson City, and the State of Nevada to move forward with construction of the City Hall and parking garage.
It also appears that part of the plans include the destruction of the current Nugget and to create a smaller Nugget in its place.
Financials
A budget break down was included in the proposal by phases.
Phase one it estimates would cost $42.5 million between the three-way partnership project, with $36 million financed. It is noted that the city would only be responsible under a NNN lease based on the financing debt and not the value of the construction.
Phase two is estimated at $21 million, with $14 million financed by CCDC.
The private development portion of phases two and three would be funded by developers which encompasses hotels, restaurants, housing, etc.
Economic impacts are estimated at between $713 million and $720 million in a year, with estimated tax revenues between $2.5 million and $2.7 million annually.
The state said they would agree to provide the nonprofit with the parking lot land needed for the project if the city agrees to replace the 135 parking spaces it would lose. The proposal suggests changing Musser Street to a one way, widening Telegraph Street and widening Plaza Street north of Telegraph to create additional street parking for the state.
The board will discuss the proposal, potential risks, and next steps, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Carson City, the State of Nevada, and HMAF to proceed with Phase 1.
The full proposal can be viewed here.
