Carson City Commission approves Foreman-Roberts House repairs

The Historic Resource Commission Thursday gave its OK to repairs at the Foreman-Roberts House which recently suffered damages due to arson.

Carson City is expecting a scope of work and cost estimate from Reno architect The Dubé Group in the next couple weeks to get approval from the State Historic Preservation Office to move forward with the project.

The commission oversees the house as well because it’s in the historic district and gave its approval, with a chance for the chair, Michael Drews, to review it.

“We do want to expedite it because we understand the significance for the community and for the Historic Resource Commission,” said Stephanie Hicks, real property manager, Public Works.

The house built in the mid-1860s is in Gothic Revival style, was moved to Carson City in 1874 and acquired by the city in 1969, according to Hope Sullivan, planning manager, Community Development.

In August, a deliberately-set fire damaged the east entrance, the south-facing gabled bay of the main house, and the interior of the first and second floors.

The commission also heard an update on the Nevada State Prison from Glen Wharton, president, Nevada State Prison Preservation Society.

The society is working to get a change of use permit to resume providing tours and events of the prison.

On Wednesday, the society board approved $17,000 to conduct the code analysis needed to get the permit, said Wharton, which will be done by The Dubé Group.

“We are in the process of seeking grants and donations and if you have any advice it would be greatly appreciated,” he said.

Wharton said the code analysis will likely result in some work needed to the prison.

Wharton also thanked the commission for funding the structural analysis, the first step in the process.

The prison, operating since 1862, was decommissioned in 2012 and the society was formed to preserve it and provide tours and events.

In 2015, the society was told to stop any activity there until it obtained a permit to change its use from occupied prison to an historic public site.

The commission also approved a request to remove a chain-link fence and replace it with 6-foot wooden fence at 402 W. William St., and for staff to submit an application to the State Historic Preservation Office’s Historic Preservation Fund for $58,000 to upgrade a mobile application for walking the west side’s Blue Line tour.