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Mayor outlines funding options for City Hall renovation; council hears $5M estimate
Summary
Mayor Nathan Robertson told the council May 8 the architect estimated just under $5 million to renovate Ely City Hall and said he is pursuing multiple funding sources including a Community Project Funding request (USDA-eligible), State Infrastructure Bank gap funding, state legislative funds, and preservation grants.
Mayor Nathan Robertson briefed the council May 8 on exploratory funding pathways for a City Hall renovation, saying an architect’s estimate came in just under $5 million and that he is planning for a $6 million budget to allow for cost escalation.
Robertson said he discussed options with State Treasurer Zach Conine, who described the State Infrastructure Bank as a source of gap funding and said the program had supported projects as large as $24 million. The mayor said the city submitted a Community Project Funding (CPF) request through congressional staff for a USDA-eligible project that, if enacted, could fund up to 75% of costs. He also said he is pursuing state-legislative funding and grant opportunities through Save America's Treasures and the Nevada Conservation Fund.
Council members did not vote on funding at the meeting; the mayor said he expects to learn about the CPF request later in the fall and will continue to work with legislators and grant programs. He said if CPF and legislative funding both succeed they could cover much of the project, but he described a realistic expectation of combining multiple funding sources and seeking bids next spring.
Public commenter George Chachas urged such a renovation be put to a citywide ballot because he said taxpayers should have a direct vote on an estimated $6–$7 million expenditure. The council did not take action to change the process or set a ballot question during the session.
