City considers renaming series of Carson streets

In an age of complicated computer-mapping systems, some Carson City streets that have been strung together over the years pose a few dilemmas for techies who now want to straighten things out.

Some old-time Carsonites, however, don't see what is the big deal.

For instance, if a driver heads east on East College Parkway off Carson Street, at some point after a bump in the road, he will find himself heading down East Graves Lane before it turns into Graves Lane after crossing Highway 50. Without much fanfare, the street becomes North Edmonds Drive, probably before the driver even notices.

If he keeps the pedal down, he will eventually end up driving on Fairview Drive as he ends the final stretch of the seven-mile loop onto Carson Street.

To some, the different street names remind them what neighborhood they are in. But to computer mappers at City Hall, changing the road into a single-named boulevard that rings around town would be easier for them and the many people they say have trouble finding businesses or giving directions.

City planning commissioners will discuss the idea tonight and ask for public input.

"This corridor consists of seven different names and is confusing to give directions to the different business(es) along this corridor," said Scott Royal, geographic information systems coordinator. "People will see one name when viewing data on MapQuest.com and gives Carson City a better presentation of itself."

City supervisor and longtime Carson resident Pete Livermore does not approve of the idea.

"I kind of like it the way it is," Livermore said. "If you look at the streets, they are named for a reason. To change a name just so it looks good on a map doesn't make sense to me.

"Living here as long as I have, it gives me a neighborhood and I know exactly what you're speaking about when you give me the name," Livermore said. "What, are we a big community now, we need a ring road that goes around it?"

City information services director Bill Naylor said the idea has touched the nerves of a few people surveyed by city staff, but some said they liked it. According to a staff report, 90 percent of the responses from 30 businesses and land owners along the street were positive. Jim Smolenski, general manager of Fitzhenry's Funeral Home on North Edmonds Drive, said he thinks the change makes sense after years of trying to direct customers off Highway 50, but he has concerns about who would pay for state and city changes to legal descriptions and licenses.

"I'm not opposed to it. There's just some other concerns as to some legal things that would need to be done," Smolenski said. "If there are major costs, is the city going to help on the financial end?"

Fire officials are reportedly in favor of the change. The change would allow emergency response crews to respond faster because it would remove the multiple names along the corridor, Royal said.

No official names have been assigned to the street. Staff identified one name might be Lincoln Boulevard, named after the sitting president when the Nevada Territory became a state.

If city officials agree to consolidate the streets, staff proposes allowing six months before it would take effect. The U.S. Postal Service could deliver mail for one year from the day the name changed, giving property owners and businesses 18 months to prepare, Royal said.

IF YOU GO

What: Carson City Planning Commission, regular meeting

When: 5:30 p.m. today

Where: Sierra Room, 851 E. William St.