Today, we’re continuing our series on the Master Plan draft currently under review by the city and its leadership.
A Master Plan is essentially the city’s blueprint for the next 20 years, which includes guidance and goals for growth, housing, economic development, natural resources, aesthetics, and much more.
The first Master Plan was adopted by Carson City in 1958, followed by five additional updates, the last being in 2006.
You can read the full overview in our previous reporting here.
The first topic covered by the Master Plan was the goals and priorities for well-managed growth.
The second was Access to Open Lands and Recreational Opportunities.
The third was Economic Vitality.
The fourth, Vibrant Downtown and Gateway Corridors.
The fifth, Livable Neighborhoods.
Today, we’re taking a look at the sixth goal: Unique History and Culture
Carson City is home to a rich tapestry of historic, cultural, archaeological, and paleontological resources that serve as community landmarks and draw visitors from around the country.
Destinations like the V&T Railroad, the Lincoln Highway, the Stewart Indian School, the Orion Clemens House, the Kit Carson Trail, Nevada State Prison, the Historic District, the Capitol grounds, and many others offer insights into the history of Carson City’s settlement, as well as the history of the indigenous tribes that occupied the Eagle Valley prior to the arrival of European settlers in the 1850s.
Carson City is a Certified Local Government (CLG) and is endorsed by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to promote consistency with federal historic preservation programs and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation. CLG status provides the City with access to grants and other assistance to support local preservation initiatives.
The City works with volunteers, non-profit organizations, and the SHPO to document and preserve historic, cultural, and archaeological resources in the
community. Web-based maps, photos, and other resources maintained by the Carson City Historical Society, Visit Carson City, and Travel Nevada also contribute to increase awareness of Carson City’s historic and cultural resources and help draw visitors to the community.
Carson City also boasts a lively arts and culture scene. Youth Theater Carson City provides children of all ages an opportunity to explore the arts and give performances for friends, family members, and visitors. The Brewery Arts Center provides multi-cultural art experiences, including a free outdoor summer concert series and painting, pottery, and visual arts classes.
The City also has a public arts program and several museums and art galleries for residents and tourists to explore, such as the Nevada State Railroad Museum, the Charlie B Gallery and Vasefinder Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada.
These and other programs contribute to Carson City’s culture, economy, vibrancy, and quality of life.
Carson City will continue to protect and preserve its historic and cultural resources by enforcing its existing preservation regulations and ordinances and updating them as needed.
The City will continue to encourage historic preservation efforts through the use of financial, building, and related incentives for the restoration and rehabilitation of historic structures and facilities.
The City will also collaborate with local artists, artist organizations, cultural facilities, and economic development and tourism partners to increase awareness of the City’s historic and cultural offerings and support the incorporation of art installations in public spaces.
The main goals to achieve unique history and culture include:
Protect and Preserve Carson City’s Historical and Cultural Resources
- Encourage historic preservation initiatives by the city, volunteers, nonprofits, and government agencies to identify and preserve sites with historical significance
- Continue to pursue and support opportunities to investigate and document local history
- Increase awareness of state and federal grants, tax incentives and other financial incentives available to support the rehabilitation of historic resources
- Encourage the adaptive reuse of historic buildings not eligible for designation on the Register of Historic Places but have historical features or cultural significance
- Review and update the Historic District standards as needed to reflect best practices for integration of sustainability and resilience considerations into the rehabilitation process.
Promote Heritage Tourism
- Support tourism activities associated with historic resources
- Encourage the development of historical opportunities
- Establish trail access to the Carson River Canyon
- Expand downtown walking tours
Support the Expansion of Artistic and Cultural Programs and Events
- Collaborate with Visit Carson City and other local and regional partners on the implementation of the Arts and Culture Strategic Plan
- Support nonprofits working to increase the community’s access to art in public buildings
- Encourage the use of distinctive features in design and recognize the role community amenities play in the vibrancy of the city
- Integrate public art into gateway corridor improvements, parks, and other capital projects
From these goals, staff is recommending the following priorities, which means that the city should begin working toward these goals immediately following plan adoption:
Protect and Preserve Carson City’s Historic and Cultural Resources
Review and update the City’s Historic District standards (Division 5 of Title 18) as needed to reflect national best practices related to the integration of sustainability and resilience considerations into the rehabilitation process (e.g., flexibility for solar, alternative materials).
Check back for the final installment of our Master Plan Deep Dive series, Part VII: A Connected Community
The entirety of the Master Plan Update 2024 can be viewed here.