What is Downtown Answers?
Downtown Answers is a community visioning effort created to define a common future for downtown Carson City. The collaboration included a broad cross-section of business and community leaders and was managed by the Carson City Planning Department and Carson City Office of Business Development. The final product is a vision that includes aspirations that set the tone for downtown's future.
What will Downtown Answers accomplish?
Carson City is at a crossroads of sorts. With the second phase of the I-580 Freeway on schedule for completion by 2011 downtown Carson City will face circumstances not felt since the late 1960s when U.S. Highway 395 first became four lanes through downtown. – with the freeway bypass comes inevitable change.
Downtown Answers, at the direction of Carson City’s Master Plan, Envision Carson City, is convening people who care about downtown and is tapping their best thinking about the future, it is the business outreach component of the Master Plan. The Downtown Answers is meant to provide guidance; a conceptual blueprint, a regional focus of the central business district; and finally, a common vision, not a parochial vision focused on personal gain. The hope is that a common community vision will build unity today and influence future decisions in a way that ensures continued prosperity.
How will the vision be implemented?
Implementation requires meaningful action. The leaders of Downtown Answers have adopted a structure similar to the configuration of modern economies - that of statewide, meta regional and neighborhood -- to achieve our vision. The statewide components of the vision will be coordinated through local state institutional leaders, via the Downtown Carson City Institutional Alliance. Carson City will direct the regional components of the vision - such as transportation and connections. The Carson City Office of Business Development, Redevelopment Authority and Downtown Carson City Consortium will lead neighborhood efforts.
Implementation of the vision will require the support and involvement of elected officials, the hard work of blue-ribbon panels and the continued involvement and support of the public.
What is the timeframe?
Implementation will occur in three phases: near-term (first three years); mid-term (four to 15 years) and far-term (16 or more years). Many recommendations can be completed right away, while others will require significantly more discussion, analysis and planning.
Who is involved in Downtown Answers?
Downtown Answers is managed and directed by the Carson City Office of Business Development, under the direction of the Carson City Redevelopment Authority. However, significant collaboration includes a mix of business and community leaders, technical experts, and interested entities or persons statewide who are willing to lend their support. All interested parties are welcome to be involved.
The Collaboration is divided into four primary groups: Institutional Alliance Members, Consortium Members, Technical Advisors and Partners. The Institutional Partners consist of key representatives from Carson City’s primary state, municipal and not for profit institutions. The Consortium includes a mix of downtown business owners, downtown business operators, downtown property owners, community leaders, technical experts, and interested entities or persons who are willing to lend their support. Technical Advisors serve both the Institutional Alliance Members and Consortium Members by providing technical assistance. Partners include all interested entities and individuals who are willing to lend their support.
Are elected officials involved in Downtown Answers?
Yes, all interested elected officials are invited to participate and Supervisor Robin Williamson, the Carson City Redevelopment Authority Chair, offers overarching leadership for Downtown Answers. All other elected officials may advise the collaboration and they, or their representative, are invited to participate in appropriate meetings and functions.
How do I get involved?
If you would like to participate, call the Carson City Office of Business Development at (775) 887-2101 x1215,
Are tax dollars going to fund the Downtown Answers?
Downtown Answers is managed by the Carson City Office of Business Development in response to its tax payer responsibilities to implement the Master Plan initiatives.
Is Downtown Answers a Redevelopment Project?
Absolutely. Investors are more inclined to invest in communities that speak with a common voice and take collective actions that provide more certainty for their investment. In this sense, Downtown Answers is an important component of an overall economic development strategy for all of Carson City and the region.
I don't live or do business in downtown Carson City. How will this project benefit me or my business?
Downtown Carson City serves as the regional center of seven Nevada counties and is the capital of our state. As such, it functions as the economic, cultural, commercial, legal, financial, transportation and governmental heart of Nevada. Everybody benefits from a healthy, vital and livable downtown.
There is a lot of talk and even pretty pictures that suggest change for Downtown. Isn’t this just about business?
Yes, this is about business. Because the I-580 Freeway will soon take traffic around our Downtown we must address the impact this will have on our downtown merchants. However, don’t forget Nevada remains one of the fastest growing states in the country. Carson City is in the midst of vigorous change - development surrounds us at nearly every horizon - growth is coming. With a citizen guided plan for that growth the City can help ensure the growth we get is the growth we want.
How have the citizens guided the “plan,” as you say?
Begun in 2005, the City revised its master plan. Envision Carson City was a two-year process that engaged thousands of community members and generated more than 50,000 feedback data points. It was that process that told the City what the people wanted. The City has converted that feedback into the “pretty pictures” and a strategic plan.
Explain why the new I-580 Freeway impacts Downtown Carson City so much.
Well, the State of Nevada owns Carson Street and their number one priority is to move traffic. Bombarding Downtown with 35,000 – 40,000 cars a day is very hard on a central business district and compromises public safety. When the Freeway goes around Downtown, we will have the opportunity to control the street and our future.
The “pretty pictures” show Main Street as 2 lanes, won’t this cause traffic problems?
Actually, no. A detailed traffic analysis concludes that local and through traffic can be accommodated with other planned street improvements already underway to Stewart and Roop streets, and other minor street improvements, without reducing service levels. A large percentage of the existing traffic will be relocated to the freeway. East-west traffic movements through Downtown will also improve, making it easier overall to get to and around Downtown. Sheriff Furlong has noted that the improvements will improve traffic safety through the downtown, especially for pedestrians.
Didn't NDOT determine that traffic volumes on Carson Street will eventually reach current volumes even after the completion of the freeway?
An NDOT traffic study prior to the City's Downtown planning efforts concluded that traffic volumes on Carson Street would almost reach current volumes in approximately 20 to 30 years IF Carson Street remains at four lanes as it is today. The more recent traffic analysis considers all potential future traffic in and around Downtown with planned improvements to other streets and shows that traffic will be easily accommodated without reducing overall service levels. At City "buildout:, a two-lane Carson Street will have approximately half the daily vehicle trips it does today.
So when’s this going to happen?
Well, Nevada Deptartment of Transportation projects the second phase to Fairview Drive will be complete and open by mid 2009. When the Freeway gets to Fairview Drive we will be able to work with the State of Nevada about Carson City’s plan to do it’s part in making the “pretty pictures” a reality.
So what exactly is Carson City’s part in making the “pretty pictures” a reality?
• Cities build and maintain streets and streetscapes, like sidewalks, benches, signage and the like.
• Cities develop and enforce building standards and codes.
• Cities work with the private and public sectors to find win-win opportunities.
This is what Carson City will do to guide growth and development of Downtown.
Don’t forget, though:
• The private sector gives life to retail, housing, jobs and entertainment.
This is what will really color our downtown’s future.
How long does all this take?
We know this make-over will not be immediate. But steps and investments are taking place to turn the visual plan into reality.
What kinds of steps are in place to keep it going?
Much groundwork has already been laid to prepare for Downtown redevelopment:
• Downtown Merchants Association – the current merchants work together to bring downtown events and activities, creating the buzz. Contact nynaj@charter.net or call 775-887-0330 for more information.
• A completed parking study that tells where our needs are, so we know how to plan.
• A visual rendering with citizen preferences about how downtown should look is completed. Carson City Vision
• Plans are underway to talk with the Federal Government about relocating the Carson City Library into the old post office on Washington Street.
What is going to be done to minimize the impacts of extensive construction in the downtown area?
Carson City and the business community will jointly work together to mitigate impact. An ombudsman will working with the downtown businesses and residents to proactively manage the impacts of construction. Among other responsibilities, the ombudsman will rapidly prepare for and respond to issues related to business access, traffic/parking, utility interruption, noise disruptions, and other concerns.
What does “mixed-use” zoning mean?
It allows for buildings to be used in ways that the marketplace wants; so regulations don’t separate or “zone” business by what they do inside the buildings. Read more.
What does that accomplish?
With the right mix, our downtown is positioned to succeed. Finding the best retail and civic mix will attract the correct stores, restaurants, and services we need and allow for the development of a strategic recruitment program that targets and pursues key tenants. This way we give the right options to retail, entertainment, culture, civic, residential and offices to become the keys for revitalization and long-term sustainability of our downtown.
What if I want to start a Downtown business, is there anything the City can do to help me?
The Carson City Office of Business Development has several programs in place to help, from basic economic information, to advisory services to redevelopment incentive programs that can off set some costs, and bridge a gap that if it weren’t for the City’s help a good project would not move forward. Find out more. Click here.
I own a business Downtown, is there help for me?
Yes. Aligning with the Downtown Merchant’s Association is a great example. This is a strong group who supports one another in a variety of ways. The Office of Business Development works with the Association to offer a range of advisory services, like marketing and merchandising advise, entertainment and advertising programs as well as case-by-case larger remodel and/or expansion projects. Find out more. Click here.
Where do I get more information about Downtown businesses?
Call the Office of Business Development directly at 775-887-2101.
What is the real key to making the “pretty pictures” fully happen?
Private-public partnerships are key to the success and we are taking the advice of financing experts to help guide our best opportunities.
What is a “private / public” partnership?
A way for Carson City citizens to invest in the people who want to invest in us. Downtown development that is in keeping with what the citizens have said they want can warrant partnership.
What is an example of a “private / public partnership?”
Well, say, the Carson City Library moves into the old post office, and maybe in conjunction with the Library there are retail stores, or coffee shops on the Library campus or even in the Library. The City would lease space to those businesses, use that money to operate the Library and those businesses would have a great business environment to help them become successful. It’s the same way airports lease space to stores or restaurants.
Is the “leasing” the only example of a “public / private” partnership?
No. There are many others, but one of the most important things to remember is that the City works to make sure the community’s interests are protected and at the same time finds ways to make the right thing easy.
How does Carson City find these partners?
Carson City’s Office of Business Development markets Carson City, looking for the right match. Then the City Manager, Redevelopment Authority and ultimately Board of Supervisors consider different projects and make “go” and “no-go” decisions.
Is there a way the general public helps make the decision?
Absolutely. Board of Supervisors meetings are open to the public. Your voice matters. Also, get involved. Click here
