County, town may acquire Minden ranch

A proposal to acquire the Seeman Ranch on Buckeye Road in Minden drew enthusiastic responses from the town and Douglas County commissioners.

County commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 4 for an appraisal of the 85-acre property and to begin applying for state Question 1 funds.

Lawyer Tom Perkins told officials no offer had been made on the property owned by Dean Seeman who died in June.

"The (Seeman) trust has been really good to us, but nobody's agreed to sell us anything," Perkins told the Minden Town Board on Sept. 3.

The property was appraised in 2003 for $1.6-$2 million.

The county agreed to allocate $7,500 to Carson City appraiser Lee B. Smith for a new appraisal.

County staff has been exploring the site as a potential location for the future development of public facilities including a community center with senior facilities.

The ranch includes 85 acres and contains part of the Martin Slough floodplain. The county would apply for the Question 1 funds to acquire part of the property for resource conservation.

"Clearly, it's a very important waterway and water recharge resource," said Minden Town Board member Bob Hadfield.

"I would like to see it in the town's ownership. Funds are available and when you get an opportunity like that, it's full-speed ahead," he said. "I applaud the county for jumping on this. I think we should partner with you."

Passage of Question 1 created a stable, long-term source of funding to protect Nevada's open space, rivers, lakes, wetlands and parks.

In Douglas County, Question 1 funds have been applied to Mormon Station Historical Park in Genoa, the Martin Slough projects in Minden and Gardnerville, and the Dangberg Home Ranch.

A component of Question 1 requires the applicant to put up part of the money in funds or in-kind services.

Perkins emphasized that if the project goes forward, the park would be passive.

"There won't be ballfields," he said. "It would include walkways and picnic tables."

The town's role would be to help design, engineer and maintain the project.

"This is the heart of our Plan for Prosperity and linear park," town engineer Bruce Scott said. "It's a wonderful opportunity. The phasing can be done. It's not exceedingly expensive."