Kinkead Building demolition continues in Carson City: Top story sits upon mostly empty frame
The demolition of the Kinkead building at 505 East King Street in Carson City continues. The demolition contract was awarded to local contractor Advance Installations, Inc. A high reach demolition excavator and Bobcat front loaders have been gutting the inside of the building from the bottom up, according to Deputy Public Works Administrator Chris Chimits.
Work began on Oct. 16, and by Nov. 2 it appeared as though the first two floors were completely gutted from the inside out. Now, about two weeks later most of the first five floors are gutted leaving the top floor elevated by the supporting frame. According to Chimits, the frame itself will be coming down on Dec. 4. The demolition is projected to be completed by Jan. 20, about two months ahead of the March 14, 2018 deadline.
The Kinkead building was constructed in 1975, and is named after Nevada’s third Governor (serving from 1879 through 1882), John Henry Kinkead. For the time being it is among the tallest of buildings in Carson City. The six floors once held tens of thousands of square feet of office space and, until 2005, several state agencies were operating within.
The Kinkead Building is said to be the worst building the state of Nevada has ever constructed. It has been plagued by serious foundation and structural issues since construction. Go here for a previous story.
The state has hopes of building a new office building at this location in the future, but the cycle of budget concerns and restraints at the legislature are predictable. Plans have been made for a grassy park and picnic area to replace the footprint of the Kinkead Building once demolition is complete.
The community will likely have plenty of time to enjoy the park once it is constructed. It could be many years before plans and budget for a new state building make it out of the legislature.