Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 | 2 a.m.
•Ninth in a series
Nevada is a sprawling state with most of its people in two population centers. But beyond the reaches of Las Vegas and Reno is a land filled with attractions and history. Some of them, of course, might not be familiar to most Nevadans. The Sun has reached out to mayors and representatives of the Silver State’s 19 cities, giving them a platform in our pages to talk about their area’s history and attractions and to describe what makes them special and what challenges they face.
Today, we present a Q+A with Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell.
Give us a history lesson. What makes your jurisdiction unique?
Carson City is the capital of Nevada. Founded as a trading post in 1858 and incorporated in 1875, Carson City is Nevada’s only consolidated municipality, established in 1969 by consolidating Carson City and Ormsby County into one municipal government.
Named after the famous frontiersman Kit Carson, Carson City enjoys a rich history predating Nevada’s statehood. Carson City is home to the historic State Capitol building, the Nevada State Prison, the Carson City Mint and Nevada State Museum, West Side Historic District, governor’s mansion, Virginia and Truckee Railway between Carson City and Virginia City, and many other sites.
With a geographical area of 144.5 square miles, Carson City is the smallest county in Nevada and although the population has grown to just over 58,000 residents, Carson City still has a charming small-town feel. With friendly neighbors, a vibrant downtown, and welcoming mom-and-pop restaurants and shops, the city is a great place to live and play. Carson City is also one of the only communities in the region that has a dedicated funding source for parks, recreation and open space that has helped to create pristine parks, unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities and beautiful trails.
What kind of attractions and events do you have that people may be interested in visiting?
Carson City has multiple museums that express the history of the region. Stewart Indian School, a Native American boarding school that closed in 1980, takes you on a journey through a campus filled with stone buildings built by students and a new cultural center highlighting campus life that is filled with arts, sports and stories from alumni and their experiences.
There are several elements of old Carson City that people still visit. The Nevada State Museum, formerly the Carson City Mint, houses the original mint that is still in use for demonstrations today. The V&T Railway takes passengers on a historic journey to Virginia City, the historic mining town. The Nevada Railroad Museum houses historic trains that were restored after their use in Hollywood films as well as moving passengers and freight around Nevada throughout its history. Here you can ride the train on specific event days, learn from train experts, or explore fascinating exhibits.
The Nevada State Prison was in continuous operation for 150 years until its closure in 2012. The prison has served as the backdrop for several movies and TV shows, and now thanks to the Nevada State Prison Preservation Society, tours are available year-round.
Want to try as many restaurants as possible in Carson City in one day and support a nonprofit in the region? Attend the Taste of Downtown, where for one price, you can sample over 50 restaurants from around the city. The food, live music, downtown location and warm weather make this event one of the best to attend. Also feel free to take a stroll through the beautiful Capitol Complex that is not only home to Nevada’s Capitol building, Legislature and Supreme Court, but is spectacularly manicured and contains many monuments and statues.
What new development opening in 2024 has you excited? Why?
In 2024, the city will begin construction on its third Complete Streets project — the East William Street Project. After completing the successful Downtown and South Carson projects, this one will enhance this vital corridor that connects Carson City with its neighbors to the east and residents to downtown by providing improved road safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, as well as landscaping, public art installations, sustainable infrastructure and increased business investment.
What is the biggest challenge facing your jurisdiction?
Carson City is looking into new and innovative ways to address a problem facing cities and counties across the state and the country — aging infrastructure. Through community engagement and workshops, the city is coming together to improve our roads, update our water system with sustainable and cost-effective new facilities, and develop efficient methods of maintaining these improvements.
What industry is most important to your town’s economy? What about diversifying?
The largest generator of economic growth and revenue in Carson City is our flourishing retail sector. Consolidated tax revenues, consisting mostly of sales tax, account for a little over 40% of the city’s general fund revenues. From our bustling downtown corridor filled with unique shops and restaurants, to our low-tax environment that continues to bring people to the city to purchase vehicles, Carson City is open for business. The city’s economy is also benefiting from the region’s growth in the tech sector.
What opportunity does your community provide for public education? What challenges does it face?
Carson City has five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school, as well as an alternative academy. Not only do they provide a quality education, but they bring people together through sporting events, community fundraisers, music and theater, and many other events throughout the year.
What challenges do your residents face with health care availability and cost?
Carson City is home to the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, which provides incredible and compassionate care to the community. Carson Tahoe Hospital strives to grow the number of providers in our community and continues to ensure everyone gets the best medical care possible.
Nevadans have lived with historic drought for the past two decades. What initiatives are in place to save the valuable commodity of water?
The Quill Water Treatment Plant is in the process of receiving a state-of-the-art update that will make it more efficient as it treats water from Kings Canyon Creek, Ash Canyon Creek, and the Marlette Lake Water System. This update will secure and diversify Carson City’s drinking water sources to meet current needs as well as prepare for the future in a sustainable way. Carson City receives surface water from the Sierra Nevada range to the west, which includes two state-owned reservoirs, several wells within the city, and water rights on the Carson River and other tributaries.
What issues are facing your community regarding roads and transportation?
As with many communities across the state and the country, Carson City has seen an increase in the cost of maintaining infrastructure due to several economic factors, as the fuel tax system nationwide has been unable to keep up with increased fuel economy, electric vehicles and inflation. The city, working closely with community members through public engagement and workshops, is looking at ways to ensure Carson City’s infrastructure is improved and maintained into the future.
How can public safety be enhanced in your community?
The trust relationship between residents and businesses with law enforcement provides the foundation of safety within the community. Community relations provide for the trust that when circumstances arise, law enforcement will take steps within their abilities to protect Carson City residents.
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office mission statement instructs our officers to “provide public safety services and build mutual trust and respect within our community.” This concept is not just implemented when something goes wrong, it’s a driving philosophy that is pursued every day. Some annually occurring examples of this pursuit include department-sponsored events such as a Cops and Kids Street Fair, Sheriff’s Night Out and Citizens Academy events. Equally important are events sponsored by community-based organizations where the sheriff’s office offers support.
All of these activities promote engagement with law enforcement, enhance community awareness and participation, and foster a sense of safety in the community.
The sheriff’s office continues to pursue a policy that generates public awareness.With the use of automation, the public is kept informed by providing access to crime trends by posting information to the department’s website, Facebook, sheriff’s department app, and other applications.
What is one thing you wish the rest of the state knew about Carson City?
Carson City has something for everyone. When touring the community, or going to the store or the library, visitors will be greeted by one of over 30 stunning murals created by artists from around the world. Warm summers invite an evening with neighbors and friends at one of the free outdoor concerts hosted by the Brewery Arts Center every weekend throughout the season. Or come and experience one of the many things that are unique to Carson City, such as the Nevada Day Parade, where tens of thousands of Nevadans gather to celebrate the state’s birthday.
