Kinkead lot repair to create needed parking

More than a few heads turned last week as workmen resurfaced the parking lot next to the abandoned and condemned Kinkead Building - especially in light of the state's weak financial situation.

But contrary to what many passers-by thought, Public Works Manager Gus Nunez said Tuesday that it wasn't a waste of money.

Parking is already in short supply within a block of the state Capitol complex. The lot north of the Capitol is shared by the state and city and fills up by 8 a.m. every weekday.

And Nunez and Cindy Edwards, the Buildings and Grounds administrator, say the reorganization and expansion of the Department of Administration will make crowding much worse.

As part of that reorganization, a large number of state employees are being moved to the State Library and Archives Building, between Stewart Street and the Capitol. Employees of the Personnel Department, Department of Information Technology and Deferred Compensation, among others, will join the existing library and archives employees there.

In addition, Buildings and Grounds is being merged with Public Works.

"Seventy people are moving into this area and there's just not enough parking," said Nunez.

The Kinkead parking lot just a block away was the obvious and cheapest solution, they said. According to Edwards, it cost $16,518 to resurface and restripe the lot.

The Kinkead lot, which has more than 200 parking spaces including a dozen handicapped slots, should go a long way toward easing the parking problems around the Capitol complex.

Nunez said that isn't the only change coming to that section of Stewart Street. The curb outside the library building has already been modified to provide a loading zone for the numerous people who need to pick up or drop off forms to Personnel.

He said he is also talking with Carson City officials about installing flashing yellow signals at the crosswalk to help handle the increased traffic.

When funding becomes available, Kinkead will be demolished but, until then, it will remain closed as unsafe for workers.

In addition to the parking lot project, state workers are making numerous changes in the library building, including converting conference rooms into office space.