Carson City RTC OKs BAC street plan; calls for I-580 pact

Closing the street dividing the Brewery Arts Center campus to hold events, and perhaps do a street mural, was approved by Carson City’s Regional Transportation Commission Wednesday.

In addition, the commission recommended the Board of Supervisors approve an Interlocal Agreement with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) regarding city and state handling of matters like maintenance and landscaping while the $42.5 million I-580 extension, running from Fairview Lane to U.S. Highway 395, is constructed and after completion. The extension starts next month and is targeted for 2017 completion.

That pact sets the stage for construction but is routine, while the former item involving the arts center will set the stage for a portable events stage on Minnesota Street after closure that falls short of outright abandonment. The commission, also known as the RTC, voted 4-0 to authorize a one year right-of-way occupancy permit for such use on Minnesota Street between King and 2nd streets. Annual extensions could occur.

Kyle Horvath, arts center board president, said large planters would be placed at south and north points blocking off vehicular traffic, a street mural may be done, and the backdrop for the portable stage would be just north of the south end planters near 2nd Street. There would be city access for under street utility work when needed, as well as access to off-street parking.

“We’ve always thought this was a good idea,” Horvath said. “It will be a gathering place.” He said classes will be held, along with performances, and people can walk throughout the center’s campus. It is bounded on the east by the former Tahoe Brewery’s building, which has smaller performance spaces and a bistro, and on the west by the center’s Performance Hall in the former St. Teresa of Avila Church.

“The permit,” a staff report indicated, “would allow the applicant to apply for administrative time extensions.”

Transportation Manager Patrick Pittenger said the I-580 pact, meanwhile, moves next to the city’s governing board and was similar but less complex than one between NDOT and Carson City when the north Carson part of the freeway was done. It covers duties regarding maintenance or handling of landscaping, as well as matters like extension of a public multi-use path along the freeway.

The commission also approved another pact with NDOT so the city can take over a small property parcel that helps with alignment of that path near Lompa Lane and the freeway.

Earlier, the Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) met and approved tentative spending of almost $475,000 in Fiscal Year 2015-16 and the work plan to outline how it will be spent. The bulk of it is federal funds, with just about $25,000 from the area CAMPO coffers, but staff said the amount may change slightly with federal input later. CAMPO is made up of RTC members and representatives from Douglas and Lyon counties.