Developer Withdraws Charter School Bid in Carson City
The application for a charter school at the Richard A. Herz Office Complex has been officially retracted.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Commercial
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Clayton Howell has withdrawn his special-use permit application for a charter school at 1340 S. Curry St. in Carson City. The property owner cited his inability to make the site function for school purposes as the primary reason for the cancellation.
Why it matters
The site's availability remains in flux after a series of failed redevelopment plans involving both the proposed school and a previously considered city hall project. This withdrawal removes a key development proposal for the commercial property while the city continues to navigate its own facility needs.
The Richard A. Herz Office Complex spans 3.15 acres and includes 44,554 square feet of total building space. The property is currently under contract with Rocky Point Properties and is listed for an asking price of $6.18 million.
The players
Clayton Howell
He is the developer who sought to convert the Richard A. Herz Office Complex into a charter school.
Carson City Board of Supervisors
This is the governing body responsible for municipal policy and the planning of local public infrastructure projects.
Rocky Point Properties
This firm is the entity currently holding the contract for the Richard A. Herz Office Complex.
Teri Preston
She serves as a member of the planning commission who has been involved in local development discussions.
The details
The site at 1340 S. Curry St. is zoned for retail commercial use and currently houses the state of Nevada in 33,100 square feet of the building. The withdrawal of the permit application on Oct. 20 follows the city's separate decision to abandon plans for a new city hall and parking garage nearby.
Timeline
Interest rates began to rise in June 2026.
Teri Preston addressed the planning commission in September 2026.
Carson City terminated its city hall agreement on Oct. 16, 2026.
Clayton Howell withdrew the charter school application on Oct. 20, 2026.
The board of supervisors will meet to discuss city hall options on Nov. 5, 2026.
Culture Shift
The proposed conversion of the Richard A. Herz Office Complex highlights a trend where developers attempt to repurpose existing commercial office stock to navigate restrictive retail commercial zoning ordinances. This shift reflects broader regional efforts to maximize land utility amid changing local market demands.
The withdrawal of this school proposal means that residents will not see an influx of school-related traffic or development activity at the S. Curry St. site in the near term. Local business owners and residents can expect continued uncertainty regarding the site's future tenant as it remains listed for sale.
The takeaway
The abandonment of both the city hall project and the charter school application leaves a significant office complex in a state of limbo. Property owners and developers in the area must continue to navigate high interest rates that have persisted since mid-2026.
What happens next
The Carson City Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a meeting on Nov. 5, 2026, to discuss the status of city hall facility planning.
Further reading
For more information on local real estate trends, visit the Carson City Commercial section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nevada Appeal.
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