You are invited to help shape the future of Nevada City’s Historic HEW Complex; a 37,000 square foot building sitting on a 12 acre site, less than one mile from downtown Nevada City! Originally built in 1854 as the Nevada County Hospital, it later served as the County’s Health Education and Welfare (HEW) facility until closing in 2006. It has sat vacant for the last 19 years, attracting trespassers, vandals, and posing a safety risk to the surrounding neighborhood. This site was once a cornerstone of our community. Now, it’s time to reimagine its next chapter.

The Hew Renew is a community-inspired design process. It’s an invitation across the community– to neighbors, business owners, workers, parents, activists, artists, local people from all walks of life, to collaborate to create something valuable to Nevada City. The Hew Renew process is built on the belief that the best solutions come from actively engaging our community, sharing expansive perspectives, robust dialogue, and over time, arriving at agreement based on mutual respect and understanding.

For too many years the buildings have sat vacant and a variety of housing proposals have fallen through; it is time to hear from our community, from you, on how to re-invigorate this Nevada City landmark.

Community-Inspired Design provides the opportunity to build spaces that reflect our needs, values, and vision for the future. Whether it’s more green spaces, more housing, local businesses, improved infrastructure, or anything else, we want to hear what matters most to you.

Your input will help shape a space that honors our heritage while meeting the needs of the future. The first step in the process is to complete our short Community Needs Assessment Survey and share your initial ideas. Your input will guide us in creating a project that enhances our community’s quality of life, fosters connection, and supports what makes Nevada City special.

Here are ways you can stay informed and get involved:

This is not a predefined project—it’s a community-inspired design process. By lending your unique perspective, you are helping to craft a vision for a safe, useful, and beautiful space that honors Nevada City’s past while serving its future.