State earmarks $3 million for preservation

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state Commission on Cultural Affairs will be distributing $3 million in the coming months to restore or preserve 26 historic buildings in Nevada.

Ron James, the state's historic preservation officer, told the state Board of Examiners on Tuesday that the money would be released to the various projects as soon as the bonds are sold this month or in August.

About $731,000 is to be spent on buildings in Clark County.

In March the commission had agreed to give $249,000 to the city of Las Vegas to restore the Post Office Building to serve as a museum and cultural center; $154,000 for the Boulder Dam hotel; $149,000 to Boulder City to convert the water reclamation building into a cultural center and $179,000 for preservation of the Overton Gym.

The Moulin Rouge Museum & Cultural Center Inc., had asked for $1 million but because the Moulin Rouge had been destroyed by a fire, the request was redrawn.

The biggest grant statewide is $299,000 for restoration of the Piper's Opera House in Virginia City.

The 1995 Legislature authorized selling $20 million in bonds to fund these projects at $2 million a year. Applicants have requested $7 million a year for their projects. The commission said that its grants have allowed 71 projects to proceed but about half still need to be completed.

The $20 million bond issue expired, and the 2005 Legislature approved selling $30 million in bonds at $3 million a year.