[jwaters943]

I originally posted this in the Mountain West Forum, but someone suggested that I also post it here. Since Reno is quite close to the California/Nevada border I guess it makes sense some of you might be interested in development over here. Anway, here is a link to a very informative site detailing most of the major development in the city (both planned and under construction):

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/default.asp

Of the many projects proposed and under construction, the most impressive are The Waterfront Towers (downtown), The Wingfield Towers (downtown) & Grand Sierra Resort (east of downtown). It's quite an exciting time in The Biggest Little City in the World. As a native Renoite, it sure is nice to see downtown get rid of some of the sleazy motels in favor of some high-quality development. Now they just need to bring in some decent retail. (Currently, nearly all the good shopping and dining in Reno is located in the suburbs.)

Some teaser pics:

Waterfront Towers (New construction):
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Waterfront.jpg
Wingfield Towers (New construction):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/Brin2/Wingfield1EDM.jpg
Belvedere Towers (former Sundowner Hotel/Casino):
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/BELVEDERERENDERING6-06.jpg
The Montage (Former Flamingo Hilton/Golden Phoenix):
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Montage/overview.jpghttp://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Montage/close.jpg
Grand Sierra Resort Complex (Former Reno Hilton):
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Grand%20Sierra%20Resort/main_closeup.jpg

[foxmtbr]

Yeah, this forum is probably more appropriate, but I'm not sure how many Reno forumers are out there... :shrug:


Looks good! :)

[EastBayHardCore]

There prolly aren't that many Reno forumers but I'd assume there are a lot more Northern California forumers who are interested in Reno developments, such as myself.

[fflint]

I love Reno; I go there several times a year. It's always exciting to see new developments there, and I too would love a thread in here that keeps us up to date with all the changes.

I'm especially pleased with the way the downtown stretch of the Truckee has been developed and improved, and all the new housing construction/conversions downtown. It's becoming a surprisingly urban and urbane "little city." Now let's talk about improving Amtrak service to California and a local light rail system... ;)

[J Church]

I wonder what the status is of that BRT from the university down Virginia?

[San Frangelino]

I'd assume there are a lot more Northern California forumers who are interested in Reno developments

And one So Cal Forumer. I have to say I find it the perfable Nevada Destination for myself, as opposed to Las Vegas which I am not fond of.

[tuy]

I agree, Reno is more related to California than to the rest of the Mountain West. Also, part of the Sacramento CSA is in Nevada and a close neighbor of Reno. Many Californians make weekend trips to the Reno Area, or have timeshares there.

[dimondpark]

Another HUGE Reno Fan here!

So I was looking at the City of Reno's Redevelopment website and came across an interesting fact..."Almost 25,000 employees can walk to their jobs downtown"...that's awesome!:tup:

[foxmtbr]

Well it looks like there's plenty of interest. :) Surprisingly, I've never actually been to Reno, I've only been as far as Stateline.

[Jay916]

Nice projects:tup: I will be in Reno in a couple of weeks and i better see some cranes in the sky;)

[leftopolis]

This article is perhaps a bit dated, but is nevertheless appropos to intentions of urban development in Reno.

Special report: Is Reno growth-smart?
BEN KIECKHEFER
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 12/18/2005

Eight "Best Practices" in Transit-Oriented Development
Establish an identity
Focus attention on supporting infrastructure
Create places that attract people
Promote development intensity/density
Create convenient pedestrian connections through street patterns/connectivity
High quality site layout and urban design
Manage parking
Incorporate public space and greenways
_ Source: "Best Practices in Transit Oriented Development," Clarion Associates prepared for the city of Reno, June 2004


It's a daily ritual in the Truckee Meadows to hop in the car. Many people do it several times a day, whether to get to work, the store, school or church. Walking from one place to another is often a hike rather than a stroll.
Such is the result of a city, like most throughout the country, where growth has been horizontal.
Reno's city limits have reached the California border and long-range plans call for them to stretch further north in the coming decades.
Acres of cow pasture have been converted to strip malls, athletic clubs, warehouses and tract homes.
What was once rural is now suburban, or even urban. Growth is the reality for the present and the future. Washoe County's total population grew from 194,000 in 1980 to 339,000 in 2000.
In the last five years, the population has grown even more quickly, and the county's population could approach 670,000 by 2030. With the continued diversification and expansion of Northern Nevada's job market and the continued influx of people from California, officials see no reason growth will subside. It's how that growth is managed that matters.
With most of Reno constrained by the Sierra Nevada and Virginia ranges, city officials would like to put more people and places along the main arteries: Virginia and Fourth streets.
Build up, not out, planners say. Create walkable, unique neighborhoods. Provide a variety of housing options and encourage people to live near their jobs. Improve public transportation and find a way to get residents to ride it.
That's the goal, at least. But will developers agree?
That remains to be seen.
Do we have 'smart growth'?
While Reno and Sparks eye additional land north of town as the primary region for new suburban-style development, the physical constraints of the valley are forcing planners to look for a smarter use of the land available within the McCarran Boulevard circle, a concept supported by the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan.
City officials, developers and residents will face those and other challenges as Reno shifts in the coming decades from a town that has been described as "the last remnant of the Wild West" into a more traditional urban form.
Steve Covec moved to Reno from the Bay Area about a year ago and hopes that one day Reno will develop into an urban environment more like the one he left, where he could easily hop on a bus and zip downtown from his home.
"I'm a big advocate of less driving and more commuter-based transportation for a number of reasons," said Covec, 29. "It's more environmentally responsible. We need to plan for the future."
He said he'd love to give up his car someday, riding transit to get somewhere far and walking when he needs to buy a quart of milk.
That vision is a popular one as cities across America are looking to the theories and principles of "new urbanism" and "smart growth" to help them shape urban renewal and new construction.
Those schools of thought promote the creation of the neighborhood as a small area that has just about anything residents would need for their daily lives, including grocery stores, schools, restaurants, entertainment and jobs.
Neighborhoods should have active streets full of wide sidewalks with lush landscaping and cafes. People should be able to walk to anything else in the neighborhood.
Such a design fosters a greater sense of place, belonging and community and reduces dependency on vehicles.
"I just feel like we've kind of reached the end of this suburban existence that we've preferred for so long," said Gloria Ohland, vice president of communications for Reconnecting America, an advocacy group for transit-oriented development with offices in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
"It's gotten to the point where it's too anonymous and too isolating. People like being around people."
Not everyone agrees. Tri Doan, a 45-year-old Double Diamond resident, said he loves living in the suburbs of south Reno.
Doan said he's worried that the additional construction could cause some dangerous traffic situations as more people move in, but said the benefits of the quiet suburban lifestyle far outweigh any traffic concerns.
"It's beautiful, wonderful," Doan said. "I've lived here over four years. It's a good living design, and that's really important."
While Reno officials acknowledge that many people like the suburban lifestyle, they often point to the downtown river district as the style of walkable, urban neighborhood they're looking to create in other parts of the city.
A couple can easily go downtown to shop, have dinner, see a movie and go for a walk in the park without having to get in their car between activities. For people living downtown, the lifestyle is made even sweeter by avoiding their car entirely.
Changes along Virginia and Fourth
It was not long ago Reno was a town of full of cow pastures and multiacre lots. Within five years those swaths of land have been converted into suburban homes, something planners call a perfectly acceptable lifestyle option that is compatible with a desirable urban form.
But as Reno planners look to the future, they're keeping their eyes sharply focused on the urban core and what they can do to create a smarter type of development. They hope to see clusters of sustainable neighborhoods lining Virginia and Fourth streets. The plans already are under way to make it happen.
They include sweeping changes to the city's zoning codes along the Virginia and Fourth street corridors. The changes include such things as prohibiting detached single-family homes, limiting such auto-related uses as repair shops and regulating things such as signs, fences and parking.
Coupled with the transit corridor designs are a series of master plans for specific parts of the city officials see as the prime locations for much more intense development, such as downtown, the University of Nevada, Reno and the burgeoning area around Mount Rose Highway and Virginia Street called the Redfield Regional Center.
Operating under the assumption that residents and visitors will be attracted to those neighborhoods for a variety of reasons, creating a public transportation system along the transit corridors will become paramount, and Reno and the Regional Transportation Commission are evaluating proposals to create a high-speed bus service along Virginia Street.
The key, however, lies with the neighborhoods.
By requiring wider sidewalks, making them more attractive and putting more people on them, the city hopes to create an urban atmosphere reminiscent of larger and older cities.
"If you put these corridors in there and intensify them, it's going to be a much more urban city than it's ever been," said Community Development Director John Hester.
That urbanism is in many ways a look to the past, when Reno grew around U.S. 395 (Virginia Street) and U.S. 40 (Fourth Street).
New urbanism is in many ways old urbanism, where cities were designed with public transportation systems like streetcars to get people from place to place before the car became a must-have possession.
John Norquist, the former mayor of Milwaukee and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism, said the reversion of cities to a more classic form is the natural backlash of the post-World Ward II sprawl that spread out across America.
"What's happening now is like recovering from a stroke," Norquist said about the urban struggle back from sprawl.
Zoning caused problems
A major part of that shift, Norquist said, is moving away from the zoning patterns that created sprawl in the first place, primarily separate use zoning. That zoning separated land uses from one another, requiring housing in one place and commercial in another, physically separating two things that are naturally co-dependent.
While separate use zoning was intended to clean up cities, having several uses on the same property is a time-tested form of creating walkable urban areas, Norquist said. Even some of Reno's Western nostalgia can fit that mold.
"The Old West has some strong urban images to it. Dodge City. The OK Corral. That's a Main Street there with Doc Holliday and Wyatt Erp living above the store. That's pretty urban," Norquist said.
Reno officials are hoping that same mixed-use development pattern they're encouraging might get a bunch of other Westerners living above the new stores that will make up the city's neighborhoods and thoroughfares.

[leftopolis]

double post

[jwaters943]

Here are some more random projects (most are described in detail at [URL="http://www.downtownmakeover.com"]http://www.downtownmakeover.com):

Mt. Rose Station Casino Resort next to The Summit Sierra Mall, scheduled to open in 2008/2009
http://cmsimg.rgj.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Dato=20060621&Kategori=BIZ04&Lopenr=606210310&Ref=AR&MaxW=800&MaxH=600&Site=J7&Q=100&Border=0&Title=0

Olympia Gaming's Resort & Spa located at The Legends at Sparks Marina shopping/entertainment complex, scheduled to open 2008/2009(couldn't find a better pic)
http://www.olympiagamingllc.com/img/legends.jpg

Peppermill Expansion under construction & scheduled for completion in 2007 (the parking garage, rear tower and area in back of the garage are all new)
http://ads.reno.com/images/Peppermill_Expansion.jpg

This is the new Renown Health (formerly Washoe Medical Center) Patient Care Tower on the outer edge of downtown. I think it's a pretty nice looking small highrise (10 stories tall). This building is currently under construction and should be completed by the end of 2007.
http://www.clarksullivan.com/new/phpthumb.php?src=/projectimages/renderinWashoe Medical Rendering.jpg&w=275&h=275&q=99http://www.clarksullivan.com/new/phpthumb.php?src=/projectimages/Washoe_View2_092904rendering.jpg&w=180&h=180&q=99

Nevada Discovery Children's Museum:
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Discovery_Museum/main.jpg
http://www.nvdm.org/

[BTinSF]

I originally posted this in the Mountain West Forum, but someone suggested that I also post it here. Since Reno is quite close to the California/Nevada border I guess it makes sense some of you might be interested in development over here.

Yeah, you betcha! ;) ;) :notacrook:

For Tech Billionaire,
Move to Nevada
Proves Very Taxing
PeopleSoft Founder Fights
For $19 Million Refund
From State of California
By GEORGE ANDERS
July 17, 2006; Page A1
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. -- California software entrepreneur David Duffield arrived in this Lake Tahoe resort a decade ago with big plans. He spent $50 million on a lakeshore estate and started a Nevada property-development business. What's more, by taking a big chunk of his wealth to Nevada, Mr. Duffield expected to save millions on taxes.

Then California accused him of shuffling assets to evade taxes, sticking him with a $19 million tax bill -- one of the state's largest ever. The 65-year-old billionaire founder of PeopleSoft Inc. denies the charge and vows further appeals.

Scores of wealthy Californians "go Nevadan" each year, relocating to a neighboring state famous for its low taxes. Among the transplants are Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay Inc., and Andreas Bechtolsheim, a co-founder of Sun Microsystems Corp. But as Mr. Duffield's experience shows, what looks appealing on paper can prove far messier in real life.

Nevada transplants account for more than 20% of all tax disputes made public earlier this year by California tax authorities. Complex cases can take a decade or longer to sort out.

Brady Anderson, a native Californian who played center field for the Baltimore Orioles in the early 1990s, was dunned with a $322,410 California tax bill after claiming Nevada residency in 1993 and '94. The tax authorities "looked at where Brady was, every single day, and they subpoenaed credit-card receipts," recalled his accountant, Joseph Geier.

Mr. Anderson settled earlier this year, paying much but not all of the contested amount, Mr. Geier said. The defense focused on 1994, a year when he bought a sizable Nevada home. He didn't fare as well for 1993, when his residency claim was based on a rented Nevada apartment used in the off-season.

"If you come here from California, you can expect to be audited," said Peggy Taylor, a former PeopleSoft executive who prevailed in her own tax dispute after leaving the San Francisco area and moving to Incline Village in the late '90s. "Audits are winnable, but it's grueling."

Officials of California's Franchise Tax Board say they don't begrudge anyone the right to move to low-tax states. But they want to ensure that exiting Californians pay any taxes due on income or capital gains earned while in the state.

Mr. Duffield's Nevada saga started with a big party soon after PeopleSoft went public in 1992. He invited the company's entire work force, plus spouses, to an all-expenses-paid weekend at Lake Tahoe. "I decided on the spot: This could be a great vacation place. Let's go find a home," Mr. Duffield recently recalled. "My wife found one in Incline Village in a day. We signed the papers right away."

Mr. Duffield was in his early 50s then, and he had waited a long time to celebrate. As an electrical-engineering major at Cornell, he struggled to pay tuition in the early 1960s after his father died. His early jobs at International Business Machines Corp. involved constant travel. When he started PeopleSoft in 1987, cash was so tight he took a potentially ruinous mortgage on his home to raise funds.

PeopleSoft proved to be his big break. Customers loved its software for handling employee benefits and personnel records. When the Pleasanton, Calif., company went public, Mr. Duffield's 50% stake was worth more than $150 million.

Soon afterward, Mr. Duffield turned to PricewaterhouseCoopers for advice on diversifying his wealth in a tax-efficient way. In an Oct. 28, 1994, memo, three officials at the accounting firm spelled out a way he could set up a Nevada investment company funded with PeopleSoft stock. They said it could minimize taxes by being treated as one kind of corporation for federal tax purposes and another kind for California tax filings.

The accounting firm acknowledged under the "risk factors" section that California authorities might view the new company as "a scheme to avoid California income tax." Mr. Duffield wasn't deterred. "I didn't think this was out of the ordinary," he explained.

He set up Duffield Investment Group, a Nevada company funded with $65 million of PeopleSoft stock. Federal capital-gains tax wouldn't be due on those highly appreciated shares until the new company sold them. Nevada doesn't have a personal income tax. And if California signed off on the new company, it would be exempt from California taxes.

Mr. Duffield hired Nevada attorney Steve Grumer to snap up properties for the investment company to develop, including commercial sites in Reno and luxury residential property near Lake Tahoe. Its prize acquisition was a four-lot parcel, costing about $5 million, on the shores of Lake Tahoe, in Incline Village.

Mr. Duffield said the plan was to tear down the existing small houses and build something grander that a Silicon Valley tycoon or Hollywood mogul might want. When the 15,351-square-foot complex was nearly complete in 1998, it was listed for sale with Mr. Grumer's son-in-law, a real-estate agent, for $40 million. No firm offers emerged.

In March 1999, the Incline Village home finally did attract a high-tech titan: Mr. Duffield himself. He says he had decided to scale back his involvement at PeopleSoft and make Nevada his permanent home. So he bought the lake-shore property, paying $50 million for the estate and its contents.

Mr. Duffield says it was quite late in the process, during a weekend visit in 1997 or 1998, that he first considered buying his own project. "It definitely wasn't intended to be our house," he said. "It wasn't until I was standing on this unfinished dock, in a hard hat, checking on construction, that I suddenly realized: 'I could retire here.'"

California tax officials scoff at that account. They began auditing his finances in late 1997 and eventually decided the investment company was a self-dealing vehicle he used to dodge California capital-gains taxes on appreciated PeopleSoft stock that was sold after he transferred it to the company. The board concluded he owed California $7.2 million in back taxes on the sold stock.

In a July 2003 memo reviewing his situation, the tax board's hearing officer, Renel Sapiandante, wrote that Mr. Duffield "never intended to develop a residential project for investment purposes to sell to third parties." Instead, she asserted, he used Duffield Investment to build an estate for himself and dodge tax.

"I don't mind paying taxes. I've paid $260 million in taxes the past 15 years," Mr. Duffield said. As the inquiry continued, tax-board officials won access to old invoices, memos and planning documents associated with Duffield Investment -- now renamed Nevada Pacific Group -- as well as trading records from his Charles Schwab & Co. account. "It felt sneaky," Mr. Duffield complained.

The rest of his Nevada plans began losing momentum. He sacked Mr. Grumer over a real-estate-commission dispute. Many of the purchased lots were left unused as development plans languished. And the general contractor for the Incline Village mansion sued Mr. Duffield claiming he owed money for other mothballed projects. The suit eventually was settled for undisclosed terms.

Despite his troubles, Mr. Duffield had quickly become a popular figure after his 1999 move to Nevada, donating $1 million to help finance a private school, sponsoring a Beach Boys concert and helping fund squad cars, helicopters and boats for the police department. "He helped our community a lot and never wanted any recognition for it," said Washoe County, Nev., sheriff Dennis Balaam.

Mr. Duffield pumped $300 million into a charity, Maddie's Fund, that he created to help animal shelters find homes for stray cats and dogs, naming it for his miniature Schnauzer, which died in 1997.

California's tax board rejected Mr. Duffield's efforts to settle last year. Interest and penalties had swelled the state's original $7.2 million demand to $19 million. Mr. Duffield had to pay the entire bill after losing an appeal to California's Board of Equalization late in 2005. But he continues to press for a refund. If a refund isn't granted, he says, he will sue the tax board in California state court.

PeopleSoft in 2003 had become the target of a hostile takeover offer from a larger rival, Oracle Corp. As that battle played out, Mr. Duffield emerged from retirement to lead a doomed effort to keep his old company independent. When Oracle prevailed in early 2005, Mr. Duffield decided to launch a new software company, a decision that soon tugged him back to California.

"My adopted children are 6 to 12 years old," he said. "They haven't ever really seen me working. I don't think it's good for them to grow up with this sense that I just stay around the home all day."

Now Mr. Duffield works in Walnut Creek, Calif. -- within 10 miles of PeopleSoft's old offices -- seeking customers for Workday Inc., a business-software firm with about 60 employees. He is negotiating to build a new home in Alamo, Calif., near his new offices. Incline Village now is just a summer vacation home. "The winters were too cold for us anyway," Mr. Duffield said.

Write to George Anders at george.anders@wsj.com1

URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115309862745008285.html

[fflint]

Where's the medical center being built?

[EastBayHardCore]

Peppermill Expansion Webcams from their website.

Tower View
http://www.earthcam.net/images/9ae67b72833ec4aca0e2b17dfe60ae9c/peppermill2.jpg

Surface View
http://www.earthcam.net/images/ae49f082f8c9e43700fde4efa8ba3897/peppermill1.jpg

[dimondpark]

BT,
Not too long ago, David Duffield was in the news for wanting to build a 70,000-80,000 sq ft house in Alamo, Contra Costa County. I hear the neighbors werent too pleased...still in approval stages from what I last heard.

Anyway,
Placer County to mull daily shuttle from Truckee to Reno airport

TRUCKEE-The Placer County Board of Supervisors is set to approve a daily shuttle service from Truckee to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

The board meets to approve the measure on July 25th.

Resort and management associations from Truckee and North Lake Tahoe say the cost of ground transportation from the airport to the Tahoe-Truckee area discourages some travelers.

The cost could be anywhere from 50 to a hundred dollars per person one-way, not including tip.

The new shuttle service is proposed to cost 35 dollars per person one-way or 60 dollars round trip.

If the board approves of the proposal, service is likely to begin in October.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=5157128&nav=9qrx

Reno airport shuttle set to begin in fall
JOYCE SWANSON
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 7/11/2006

Getting to the Reno/Tahoe airport from Tahoe-Truckee might become easier and cheaper beginning this fall.

A plan to launch a daily shuttle service to the airport will go before the Placer County Board of Supervisors for approval on July 25. The creators of the shuttle proposal are the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.

The current cost of ground transportation from the airport to the Tahoe-Truckee area discourages some travelers, said Steve Teshara, executive director of the resort association. A survey of currently available airport shuttle service found the least expensive price was $50 a person plus a 15 to 20 percent tip. Most services charged more than $100 a person for a one-way trip to or from the airport.

The proposed fee for the new service would be $35 a person one way or $60 round trip. Frequent user and group rates will be $50 per round trip and a family of five will be able to get round trip shuttle service for $100.

Teshara said the service likely will begin in mid to late October.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060711/TT/607110304/1047/NEWS

[dimondpark]

Planners reject Sparks casino
RYAN RANDAZZO
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 7/18/2006

Sparks planning officials denied a proposal Monday to build a hotel-casino on Pyramid Highway, sending the Lazy 8's fate to the city council and possibly court.

The Sparks Planning Commission denied developer Harvey Whittemore and Peppermill Casinos' $100 million plans for a resort, but the council can override the 4-3 commission vote.

"I'm confident city council will see the merits of our position," Whittemore said after the meeting. Nearby residents and other Sparks casino operators have opposed the Lazy 8. Some residents thanked the Planning Commission.

"I want to commend this commission," nearby resident John Bradbury said. "You had lots of studying to do."

Officials from John Ascuaga's Nugget also were happy with the decision.

"It is a very emotional issue -- people get upset," said Michonne Ascuaga, chief executive of the Nugget, adding her hotel-casino was not opposed to all new casinos in Sparks. "We're all about building tourism. What we want to stay focused on is the land-use issue."

Whittemore asserts the

1994 entitlement to build a casino at his Wingfield Springs

development east of Pyramid can be moved to Pyramid Highway south of La Posada Drive, where he plans to sell land to Peppermill for the development.

Commissioner Fred Lokken, a council candidate in Ward 3, made the motion to deny Lazy 8, and Thomas Lean, Mitch Nowicki and Kendall Mattina favored the motion. Scott Barnes, Jackie Peterson and Marvin Moss were opposed.

Lokken said no compelling reason exists to move the project from Wingfield Springs.

Not to be confused with the Lazy 5 Regional Park, the Lazy 8 project was proposed with an 18,000-square-foot casino, about the size of Gold Dust West in downtown Reno and larger than Tamarack Junction in south Reno.

The 20.5-acre project would include 200 hotel rooms, a movie theater, arcade, retail and restaurants.

Whittemore told commissioners the location was changed because Pyramid Highway can handle more traffic than Vista Boulevard. He said he still could build at Wingfield Springs if the council denies the Lazy 8.

"If it's denied and a court disagrees (with us), we'll be left building in Wingfield Springs," he said when Lean asked why he doesn't build the casino there.

Asked after the meeting if he was planning a lawsuit, Whittemore said he would pursue the best use of the entitlement.

Whittemore told commissioners he planned to donate his profits from the venture to the University of Nevada, Reno and that public comments on the Lazy 8 have offended him.

"I'm sick and tired of people saying it's about me -- it's not," he said to loud applause from the audience of about 150 people that seemed split between supporters and opponents of the Lazy 8.

Whittemore also has agreed to give the city $300,000 for affordable housing and is proposing to build a 4,800-square-foot community services building for the city. A lawyer working for John Ascuaga's Nugget said at a July 6 meeting the donation could be perceived as a bribe for the city's endorsement of the project.

"Are we going to find ourselves in a position where entitlements are for sale in the city of Sparks?" lawyer Doug Flowers asked commissioners then. "If people who bought houses five, 10 years ago read every public document, they would not have known it was possible to have a casino there."

Public comment was not scheduled before Monday's meeting because it was continued from July 6, when the public was allowed to speak before commissioners debated. The public was allowed to speak after the vote Monday.

Opponents have said the Lazy 8 would ruin their neighborhood and that Whittemore does not have the right to move his entitlement.

"If that is so, I could build a pig farm out there if it's not zoned for agricultural," nearby resident Shirley Bertschinger said.

"Build it in Wingfield Springs, but for god's sake, leave my neighborhood alone," resident Lynn Collins said.

At the previous meeting, Lokken made a motion to approve the resort without the casino, which was seconded by Lean. But Community Development Director Neil Krutz told the commissioners they would need to justify it.

Senior Planner Tim Thompson said Monday such justification could not be found in the law and encouraged the commission to approve the Lazy 8 request. He said also any denial should be of the entire request, not portions.

The city council was scheduled to meet with the city attorney Monday to discuss "threatened or potential" lawsuits, City Attorney Chester Adams said, but officials canceled the meeting.

Adams would not disclose the city's legal concern. The public and media would not be allowed in the meeting.

At the July 6 meeting, Leif Reid, lawyer for the developers, said a court would reverse the commission if it denied the casino.

"That sounds like a threat to me," Peterson said as some of the hundreds in attendance sneered in agreement.

[dimondpark]

East West breaking ground on Ritz Carlton

Posted: 7/18/2006

Special to Truckee Today

Developers will break ground this week on a new luxury Ritz-Carlton Hotel on the slopes at Northstar-at-Tahoe.

The 172-room Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe hotel is scheduled to open in late 2009 as part of a $300 million resort at Truckee with ski-in, ski-out town homes, condominiums, restaurants, swimming pools and a spa. The hotel will be modeled after upscale mountain lodges built in the West a century ago.

The developers have brought in a press junket this week to publicize the area's first five-star luxury resort. The visitors will be among the first to stay at the new Village at Northstar and will be touring East West Partners' other residential-resort properties at Gray's Crossing and Old Greenwood, which are being built under the umbrella name of Tahoe Mountain Resorts.

Ceremony Wednesday

The groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday will be attended by Bill Rhodes, senior vice president, The Ritz-Carlton Carlton Hotel Company; Denny Alberts, president and chief operating officer, Crescent Real Estate Equities Company; Harry Frampton III, founder and managing partner, East West Partners; Mark Hornberger, principal for design at Hornberger + Worstell Architects; Greg Faulkner of Faulkner Architects; and local dignitaries.

East West Partners, veteran developer of award-winning resorts at prime ski locations in Colorado and Utah, and its partner, Crescent Real Estate Equities Company, recently completed the first 100 slopeside luxury condos built at the base of Northstar-at-Tahoe Mountain ski resort. Starting this summer, the Village at Northstar's second development phase begins, which will total 213 condos ready for occupancy by the 2006-07 ski season.

'Destination resort'

The new hotel will be built with native granite and timber from the Sierra and feature steeply pitched roofs with shed dormers, sheltering porches and stone fireplaces in the lobby.

"It's a true destination resort in one of the prettiest areas on North America," Tom Dunlap, managing partner for the Colorado-based East West Partners, told reporters earlier this year when plans for the project were unveiled.

"It's located at about 7,200 feet where all the ski lifts depart from so you are right there in the heart of the mountain. You can literally ski from the hotel onto the lifts or back down the mountain to the hotel," he said.

The lead design architect said the hotel will differ from Ritz-Carlton's more traditional properties. Hornberger said it will be an upscale mountain lodge -- "a contemporary legacy of the great mountain lodges originally built in the West at the turn of the 20th century."

Besides the hotel, the resort will have 75 homes for sale and 77 other residences available as deeded time-shares.

The resort will border the 1,450-unit Highlands community that East West Partners and Crescent Real Estate Equities Co. are developing. It will have gondola access to the Village at Northstar, a collection of condominiums, shops, restaurants and ice skating rink at the base of the mountain.

Bruce Kranz, a member of the Placer County Board of Supervisors, said the developers have a strong track record of preserving the environment.

"The fantastic new complex at the Highlands will give the region not only a grand new hotel and increased luxury lodging and real estate options, but a host of new jobs, an increase in the tax base and a positive economic impact," Kranz said earlier this year.

The hotel will include 11,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 6,000-square-foot ballroom.

Old Greenwood is a 600-acre, year-round community that has sold 100 golf course home sites and has 159 fractional ownership residences.

Gray's Crossing covers 700 acres and will have shopping, dining, hotel lodging and single-family homes built around a private 18-hole golf course and club house. It's scheduled to be completed next summer.

The four communities, including The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, are being developed with recycled materials, low irrigation plant material and passive solar energy. Materials will include recycled steel, native granite and exposed wood, logs and lumber from the Sierra Tahoe region.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060718/TT/607180313/1047/NEWS

[jwaters943]

Where's the medical center being built?

It's being built at the site of their existing medical campus on Mill St. & Kirman Ave. Either way, it's much needed in order to keep up with the growing demand. In fact, St. Mary's (located in downtown) just finished a similar expansion 1-2 years ago. In any case, the new tower's architecture complements their smaller South Meadows facility, located near my home, quite nicely I'd say.

You can check construction progress on the new tower at:
http://www.oxblue.com/client/washoe/cam2/

Washoe Medical Center at South Meadows (for comparison):
http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/aia/awa2004/b03011_01.jpg



Just FYI, the casino that was rejected in Sparks is not the same one that I listed above in case there was any confusion. The one at the Sparks Marina has support of nearby residents and The Nugget (Sparks' only major Hotel/Casino).

[jwaters943]

Just an update for those interested. The Waterfront Towers designed by Carlos Zapata are moving forward. You can visit the following link to view a .pdf file of Master Plan for the site: http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Waterfront/Waterfront.pdf

New Waterfront Renderings:
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Waterfront/0003.jpg
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Waterfront/0001.jpg


Also, there is another new condo project planned for the arts and business district of downtown Reno (southern edge of downtown).

Rendering:
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/arterra/arterra.jpg

Website:
http://www.arterra-home.com/

[tujunga]

It's about time, that place is stuck in the 70s. Good for Reno.

[jwaters943]

Newly announced projects:

Thoma Street Lofts (Live/Work Units)

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/ThomasLofts/port_thoma1.gif
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/ThomasLofts/port_thoma2.jpg
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/ThomasLofts/port_thoma3.jpg
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/ThomasLofts/port_thoma4.jpg

The Old Freight House Parcel (Mixed Use)

Developers estimate the project will cost $20-$30 million, including the living units and 32,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. Siena Communities, of Ventura, Calif., also has city approval for a 33-unit work/loft housing project on Virginia Street at Thoma Street.

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/210%20North/freighthouse.jpg

210 North Nightclub

With an investment of "several million" dollars, Gianoli said, the club will have custom-made furniture, a state-of-the art sound system, giant television screen, VIP rooms, LED lighting and other amenities rarely seen in Northern Nevada.

The idea, Gianoli said, is to create a more hip atmosphere than Reno has seen that will cater to young professionals both locally and regionally. That will likely be helped by the exploding downtown condominium market, that also cater to much of the same audience.

"Reno is dying for (a high-end nightclub)... there is nothing in this city that is high-end at all that rivals anything in a big city," said Gianoli, who has purchased a condo at the Montage. "The market is there. People are knocking down the door."

The entire building is about 50,000 square feet. Below 210 North will be 17,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor and a basement that is about the same size.

Kent Whelan of Coldwell Banker Commercial Plummer & Associates Inc., who is the leasing agent for building owner Piece of Property Inc., said a 24-hour gym would be one use that would be a good fit for the basement.

He also said the ground floor would be "an ideal location for up upscale retailers, a coffee house, or any number of businesses."

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/210%20North/bilde.jpg


Construction updates:
Construction on The Palladio, The Montage & The Belvedere is progressing nicely. I'd guess The Palladio is around 65-70% complete and The Montage & The Belvedere are around 50%. The Grand Sierra Resort (formerly The Reno Hilton) has seen little change since the sale a couple months back....they've only done a bit of painting and changed the signage thus far. The sales office for the Waterfront Towers is nearly complete, work has yet to begin on the actual towers.

[fflint]

Awesome news. If you ever get a chance, I'm sure we'd all love to see some construction progress pics for Palladio and such... ;)

Regarding Arterra, when you refer to "downtown" you mean the business district south of the Truckee, over by Wells Fargo, right?

[fflint]

Reno panel approves transit corridor district

Staff Report
The Reno Gazette Journal
8/31/2006

The Reno City Council on Wednesday approved a transit corridor district for East Fourth Street, rezoning 336 acres for intense development in the process.

Once a bustling commercial district when the Lincoln Highway was new, East Fourth Street largely is known for its rundown motels, repair shops and other businesses. In the new corridor, multi-family, shops and restaurants would be encouraged in the mixed-use zoning.

The corridor is bordered by Interstate 80, the Truckee River, Wells Avenue and extends to the Sparks border. Fourth Street connects the two downtowns.

The council kept a provision allowing developers to ask for a 50 percent reduction from the current parking code to encourage more transit ridership. Last week, the council removed a similar provision from a new transit corridor for North Virginia Street and Stead Boulevard in the North Valleys, saying adequate bus service didn't exist.

But for East Fourth Street, "this corridor has the most potential of any of the transit corridor. Reducing parking here makes sense," said Councilman Dwight Dortch.

Spencer Hobson, owner of an old brick building at 900 E. Fourth St., asked the council to change the zoning to allow for used car sales, saying the building could be used for selling hot rods. Several years ago, he proposed using the building for entertainment, including a nightclub similar to the House of Blues.

The council declined, saying a master plan prepared largely with the help of businesses three years ago banned used car sales.

[fflint]

Facelift for Virginia street

Susan Voyles
Reno Gazette-Journal
8/30/2006

http://cmsimg.rgj.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Dato=20060830&Kategori=NEWS10&Lopenr=608300338&Ref=AR&MaxW=800&MaxH=600&Site=J7&Q=100&Border=0&Title=0
A pedestrian crosses Virginia Street at Second Street on Tuesday in this view looking north on Virginia Street from near the Truckee River in downtown Reno. Photo by Tim Dunn.

After being talked about for decades, downtown Virginia Street is getting a makeover.

Wider sidewalks for outdoor cafes, more old-fashioned lampposts with hanging flower baskets, new intersections and a narrower street are envisioned.

In the heart of downtown Reno, Virginia street will be reduced from four lanes to three lanes for four city blocks to make the street pedestrian-friendly.

After approving the concept last week, the Reno City Council today plans to consider a $3.56 million contract with TW Construction Co. Inc. of Sparks for renovating the first two blocks of Virginia between the Truckee River and Second Street. Other work brings the amount to $3.9 million.

Two more blocks to the north will be considered Sept. 27.

The middle lane on Virginia Street will be reserved for left turns, keeping traffic in the other two travel lanes moving. And new traffic light settings will give pedestrians their own time to cross without having to compete with motorists.

While supporting the makeover, downtown resident Frank Partlow asked the council to devote as much attention to dealing with construction detours as it did for the downtown Reno railroad trench project.

"Do you want to go out there now?" Partlow asked, in challenging city officials to check the street barricades up and down Sierra and Center streets because of construction. He said he doesn't expect the current boom in downtown construction, including a number of condo projects, to end until 2010.

City officials plan to maintain a route for pedestrians on the sidewalks throughout construction.

But some traffic lanes, intersections or sections of Virginia Street along the four blocks would be closed on and off to traffic until the project is finished in late spring. Closing the street entirely will be a last resort, officials said.

To help motorists, the city already has detours mapped and will be putting up daily changes on its Web site with an interactive map.

At Mayor Bob Cashell's request, the council ordered city staff to check in with business owners on Virginia every day to see if they need help in dealing with inconveniences.

With the narrowing of the street, about 4,500 of 20,000 motorists a day are expected to shift to Sierra and Center streets. Virginia Street could hit a "D" in traffic congestion, which is still considered acceptable at peak traffic in evenings.

Dan Grayuski, of Fehr & Peers, told the Council the delay to motorists would be minor. "We're talking seconds, not minutes."

A study by Fehr & Peers, a Reno traffic engineering firm, found no fatal flaws in narrowing the street because nearby Sierra, Center and Evans streets can handle more traffic to take motorists north and south.

Council on Sept. 27 expects to consider another construction project with Granite Construction Co. to rebuild Virginia Street between Second and Fourth streets, fronting Harrah's Reno and the Eldorado Hotel Casino.

If costs for the second two blocks are similar to the first two blocks, the entire project would total about $8 million. Rental income from railroad properties from the train trench project and federal train trench grants largely will pay for the entire project.

In approving the new look for Virginia Street, the council agreed to give downtown a new paint job. The ultra-modern red cherry paint that's on everything from newspaper racks and garbage receptacles to traffic lights will be repainted black.

Sidewalks containing paving stones that came all the way from China will be ripped out and replaced with a stamped concrete pattern. The paving stones are a maintenance nightmare because they crack or pop out of the ground. Officials said they have been the subject of a number of trip-and-fall claims against the city.

---

City council OKs contracts for downtown construction

Staff Report
Reno Gazette Journal
8/31/2006

The Reno City Council on Wednesday approved two contracts to start construction for the first two blocks of a major makeover for downtown Virginia Street.

Virginia Street will be narrowed to three lanes from four, providing for wider sidewalks. The street will be repaved with cement and will be stamped concrete used for the sidewalks. Work is to begin Sept. 25.

For the first two blocks between the Truckee River bridge and First Street, TW Construction Co. Inc. of Sparks won the contract with a low bid of $3.56 million.

VPoint, a Las Vegas civil engineering firm, will be paid $470,000 to oversee the project. In its contract, billing rates range from $125 an hour for a survey manager to $60 an hour for a clerical worker.

[dimondpark]

hanging flower baskets? sounds perdy. I first noticed those in Portland-liked them instantly.

I cant stand how that parking garage is right there on Virginia behind the sign next to the train tracks. seems like something bigger like another casino should be there to compliment Silver Legacy across the street.

[jwaters943]

Awesome news. If you ever get a chance, I'm sure we'd all love to see some construction progress pics for Palladio and such... ;)

Regarding Arterra, when you refer to "downtown" you mean the business district south of the Truckee, over by Wells Fargo, right?

I will try to get some "real life" pics up sometime soon.

As for the Arterra, yes, it is near the Wells Fargo Bldg. More specifically, it is across the street from the former Porsche Building, now known as the Museum Tower & the Nevada Museum of Art. Currently the site only has a small bakery/coffee shop and an underutilized and ugly parking lot.

Some pics for reference since you seem to be familair with the area (I couldn't find a better pic of the Museum Tower, although you can see it in both pics):
http://www.museum-tower.com/review/img/100WL_index.jpg
http://www.stua.com/contracts/IMAGES/nma/NMA1.jpg

Here is a pic of the Palladio from earlier this Summer:
http://www.newtoreno.com/gallery/palladio20.jpg

Someone mentioned the flower baskets. I'm assuming the baskets incorporated as part of the Virginia Street redo will be similar the one's pictured below which are on nearly every bridge and park in downtown:
http://www.newtoreno.com/gallery/downtown22.jpg

[fflint]

Great shots--Reno is so incredibly underrated.

You know, a large number of Bay Area forumers are fairly familiar with Reno--we take vacations there like other Northern Californians, but being city geeks and skyscraper fans...well, you know. We get into it. Please post photos and articles anytime you get the urge!

[dimondpark]

yeah, whenever you get the urge-post please.

love those flower baskets-LOL

that museum turned out nice. I drove by once when it was still under construction. the finished product sorta reminds me of MASP in Sao Paulo.

Reno is one of the only places where it snows that I wouldnt mind living in. Maybe I'll go up on Friday...oh wait its Labor Day-80 is gonna be ugly. scratch that.

[EastBayHardCore]

Great to see more Reno news.

After going to Reno earlier this month I think the strip could use a real cleaning up. I felt totally uncomfortable walking down the street with my brother and girlfriend because it seemed like every meth head would stare like they wanted to do one of us (probably me *ya right* ;) ) in the dirtiest way possible. I swear, on every corner there were car horns honking or comments being made, as if no other women under 40 years old and under 250lb had ever been seen in Reno. It was really unnerving and made me just want to run from casino to casino rather than enjoy the strip.

[fflint]

It's really weird how Virginia Street has evolved (or devolved, as it were)--it used to be one of the liveliest pieces of pavement west of New York, but not so much these days. Perhaps the old glory days will never be relived, but at least Reno is very actively and intelligently recycling its downtown into a more sustainable office and residential area. Seriously--off the strip, Reno has never looked better.

[jwaters943]

Thanks for the feedback you guys!

Sorry to hear at least one of you had a bad experience recently. Aside from graffiti, most crime has actually declined over the past few years, yet downtown still has a bit of a problem with bums/panhandlers and druggies/prostitutes. It doesn't help that downtown Reno is one of the few places for them to really go. Police in our neighbor to the East, Sparks, have been known to pick up bums/panhandlers and just drop them off in downtown Reno! :hell: Either way, they are making slow, but steady progress on cleaning up downtown. I think once more people actually live down there it will only improve.

In my opinion, what downtown really needs is greater shopping/dining options outside of the casinos. This would be good for the tourists and the locals who don't like eating inside a smoke-filled casino. It's hard to imagine that at one time, downtown Reno was the only good place to shop in all of Nevada. There was J.C. Penney, Gray Reids, Woolworths, Lerner of New York, etc. Now, aside from a few small (and quite good) restaurants and boutiques near the river, there really isn't much in the way of serious shopping/dining. Today, you have to travel far South of downtown to find places like Macy's, J.C. Penney's, Dillards, Banana Republic, A&F, P.F. Chang's, Claim Jumper, Macaroni Grill, etc. Maybe once the city finally builds the Bus Rapid Transit system along Virginia Street it will help tourists see a different side to the city and more easily transport them to the area's 3 malls: Parklane Mall (which is being torn down and totally rebuilt after Christmas), Meadowood Mall & Summit Sierra Lifestyle Center.

Anyway, enough rambling. Everyone have a GREAT Friday!

[dimondpark]

fflinty's right.
I remember as a kid when Virginia was really a happening place-a bit more wholesome back then. Now it seems like its just a bunch of lights with very little action on the sidewalk except for "meth heads" and such as EBHC eluded to.

Hopefully those improvements mentioned above will fix some of that. I also suppose that if the city keeps churning out projects such as the Palladio, there will always be folks down on the coast willing to buy them. Also, the Univ. of Nevada is very close-just across the freeway from Virginia-maybe developing that corridor might spur increased vibrancy on the strip as well.

Also, the area in between DT and the Meadowood Mall area I see as a place for lots of urban revitalization.

Maybe I like the place so much cause my parents ran away to Reno in 1973 to get married? LOL

my 2 cents.

[jwaters943]

Also, the area in between DT and the Meadowood Mall area I see as a place for lots of urban revitalization.

It's coming.....

There have been several small urban infill projects and remodeling/revamping of aging shopping centers in the area between downtown and Meadowood Mall in the past 3-4 years. The most exciting projects currently under construction are by SilverStar Communities. Formerly known as a high-end home builder in the Reno area, they now seem to have a greater interest in revitalizing older neighborhoods with vibrant and architectually interesting homes/condos and shopping centers. Their biggest project is located directly across from Park Lane Mall between South Virginia Street and Virginia Lake and will be comprised of condos, homes and shopping. This project is replacing the old closed down Mark Twain motel which had been a collecting ground for trash and grafitti.

http://www.silverstarcommunities.com/virginialake.aspx

Renderings:
http://www.silverstarcommunities.com/assets/camdenfull.jpg
http://www.silverstarcommunities.com/assets/glenmanorfull.jpg
http://www.silverstarcommunities.com/assets/virginiacommercialfull.jpg

Village at the River (near the Automobile Museum and modeled after the Grant Hotel in San Diego)
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Village_On_River/color.jpg

Another high density housing project next to Washoe Medical by SilverStar Communities (This project is moderately priced and being marketed to hospital workers with the goal of reducing traffic congestion/pollution)
http://cmsimg.rgj.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=J7&Date=20060813&Category=BIZ12&ArtNo=608130326&Ref=V2&Profile=1083&MaxW=800&MaxH=600&Site=J7&Q=100&Border=0&Title=1

[dimondpark]

Reno's long-term plans eye lands outside growth areas
SUSAN VOYLES
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 9/4/2006
Read or post comments

In the first major study of Reno's new growth areas, the city is planning beyond the 68,000 acres it won in the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan in July.

The City Council last week approved a $608,000 contract with Eco-Logic, a Reno engineering firm, to prepare plans for water, sewer and flood control as the city expands to the north, west and southeast.

The study covers up to 68,000 acres for Reno's growth area that was added to the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan on July 27. That includes 12,900 acres for growth over the next 20 years and the rest could be developed later, assuming federal lands are sold and opened for development.

But beyond these areas, the map for the water-related plans shows an additional 15,000 acres is to be studied, including land owned by people who lobbied to be included in the regional plan changes so they can develop their properties.

Regional officials have agreed to hear their cases and interested landowners have until Oct. 16 to file an application with the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency to be considered.

The potential areas include Bob Marshall's ranch and other land in Warm Springs Valley, the upper slopes of Peavine Peak, the southern half of the Ballardini Ranch and in the hills of the Virginia Range in the southeast Truckee Meadows.

John Hester, Reno community development director, said the areas are being included in the studies.

But some residents fear there will be no going back. The 15,000 or so acres will be tacked on to the lands already approved in the growth areas with no reductions in store, said Heather Singer, a Lemmon Valley resident who attended many of the public hearings on the growth areas.

"I was afraid something like this might happen," Singer said. "They take in this land and then there's more. My fear is they are not going to stop themselves."

Decisions on how much of the acreage sought by landowners will be added to the growth areas won't be made until a series of public hearings are held this winter. The last vote is scheduled before the Regional Planning Governing Board in February.

Under a court settlement agreement to end disputes over regional planning, the water facilities studies must be completed by next July. City staff is doing other required facility plans for fire, police transportation and parks, Hester said.

Once these plans are done, developers seeking zoning changes for greater densities will have to show that projects are included in the plans -- and the financing exists for the facilities they'll need.

The city already had 60,000 acres of undeveloped lands for development before the regional plan was amended in July. Some of the water studies will cover these areas.

The water study will be funded by sewer enterprise fees paid by developers. The city also intends to approach the Regional Water Planning Commission to help pay for the study because some of the work will be done for areas under the county's planning control in the North Valleys.

The water study is to put together existing water, sewer and flood control facility plans with the conceptual plans for new facilities it will prepare for the growth areas.

Conceptual-level work will be done for water and sewer and flood-control facilities to serve new, unplanned growth areas in the South Truckee Meadows, Virginia Range, Cold Springs and Verdi as well as areas identified for more intense development in the Truckee Meadows.

The study also will cover water, sewer and flood control planning for the Winnemucca Ranch, proposed for up to 8,000 homes west of Pyramid Lake. For Bedell Flats to the west of the Winnemucca Ranch, only initial exploration work would be done as this area is not to be developed for at least another 20 years.

[kenratboy]

Just want to check in - I live in Reno (South end of town) and its cool to see a thread like this!

Lot of projects on the table and I just hope they pan out.

It is kinda cool to see the GSR logo on the 'Hilton' - you know there are changes coming. However, I am skeptical that they will do all the cool stuff they have planned (but don't get me wrong, I *REALLY* want it to happen).

Another thing I don't think has been brought up. At the intersection of Mt. Rose Highway and 395 where Summit Sierra is (1 mile from my house!), they are talking about building a Bass Pro Shop and a casino by Station Casino - this is all official and probably going to happen (taking their sweet ass time...).

Two things of interest:

1.) What I am hearing now is they want to roll the casino and Bass Pro Shop into one mega project! (before, Bass Pro Shop was supposed to go on the SW corner and the casino on the NW corner, now everything may go on the NW corner near the geothermal plant!) So imagine one huge project where you could leave your hotel room and walk into Bass Pro Shop without having to go outside!

2.) I saw a rendering of the casino and it vaguely showed the hotel tower as being 6-8 stores! This would be backed up against the hill (between Galena HS and 395, the road, not the freeway) and would be a hundred or so feet above the elevation of the base of the project - could look awesome if they do it!

Because it is so close to my house, I look forward to seeing how this project, as well as everything else turns out.

This city is certainly growing fast.

[kenratboy]

Oh, and I drove thru the 'Reno Tahoe Industrial Center' last week. There is a decent amount of activity out there (as in, construction), and I think Wal*Mart being out there is a good advertising tool for more people to come (Wal*Mart knows what they are doing, this project is not a lame duck if they are there!).

Anyway, this project looks big until you go to to this site:

http://www.lancegilman.com/maps.php

And click on 'Reno Tahoe Industrial Center' at the bottom of the page (its a .pdf) - it is 102,000 acres or 160 SQUARE MILES! It is FAR bigger than Reno, Sparks, North Valleys, etc.

If this project gets it heels dug in and takes off, it will be beyond huge.

We have a business-friendly state and we are close to California - a very good combination.

We will see.

[kenratboy]

jwaters943 - small correction (inside info) - the homes Washoe Med is building are to lure hard-to-get workers to the hospital, especially nurses and other such staff.

[Ronin]

Sweet, Station Casinos are awesome. They cater more towards the locals than tourists. Also, Thunder Valley is owned by them too, and it's managed quite well.

[kenratboy]

Yeah, as their other properties show, they cater to better crowd and if they start rolling Bass Pro Shop and such into it, it will be less of a casino and more of a resort. They were even talking about a movie theater in the project (and Century is currently finishing the pad for a 16-plex across the street in the Summit Sierra project).

[jwaters943]

Hey! Glad to see there is another Renoite on here! As for the Station Casino Project, there is a rendering on the first page (above the rendering for the Sparks Marina Casino). I happen to live in South Reno as well too (Double Diamond area) and am curious to see what this project will offer. The rumor is that they also plan to include an ice skating rink. They keep sending me update/feedback cards, one of which happened to mention they might include a theater as you had stated earlier. If they do include a theater I hop it's an IMAX theater as the area really doesn't need another "regular" theater with Century going in across the highway.

[kenratboy]

I live in Virginia Foothills, so I am only 2-3 miles from you! Small world. Moved to Reno about 6 years ago from London (lived there for a few years, from the Bay Area originally, and still love the area).

While we are on a skyscraper forum, I will say all the development in the south end of town is pretty amazing.

-Intersection of Mt. Rose & S. Virginia is sure going to be interesting. With 'The Summit' (freaking yuppies :p ) in, it is certainly on its way to having more. With the resort and Bass Pro Shop together, that will be one hell of a complex. An IMAX would be awesome - sell me a annual pass for $100 or so and I will just go over and over. I am into home theater and such, and the picture quality (and sound) is just jaw-droppingly good. I don't care what film they are showing, I just like the picture quality and sound!

-Double Diamond is certainly growing. I am a little annoyed there is only one tiny park, I hope some other stuff goes in. While DD is growing south, all the stuff in my area (from Geiger Grade) is growing north very fast. If you have not taken a walk/drive in the fields, you would be shocked how close they are to joining.

-They are getting ready to tie Veterans Pkwy. in with Geiger Grade about 1000' from the intersection of Mt. Rose & Virginia, could be just a few weeks. Will be able to get from Double Diamond to Geiger Grade without having to get on the freeway or S. Virginia.

Certainly a lot of interesting stuff going on.

Oh, and about the freeway, shame the contractor backed out of the project, hope that gets underway again soon, that bridge over Galena Creek will be spectacular, and it will be nice to get traffic/commuters off 395 (I have friends down there, and the road can be a PITA sometimes).

Anything cool in the area you are looking forward to, or are just interested in?

[innov8]

This last weekend I was up in Reno enjoying the Balloon Races.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8770/nightballons3copyxg5.jpg

Please click here to see more...
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=115194

[BTinSF]

So what do you guys think about the assertion here http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=115120 that Las Vegas is about to suck away all your water?

[Ronin]

Then, it's going to be just like California, NorNev vs. SoNev! Bring it on!

[jwaters943]

Oh, and about the freeway, shame the contractor backed out of the project, hope that gets underway again soon, that bridge over Galena Creek will be spectacular, and it will be nice to get traffic/commuters off 395 (I have friends down there, and the road can be a PITA sometimes).

Anything cool in the area you are looking forward to, or are just interested in?

I too, was a bit irritated that the contractor backed out in the middle of construction. I sure hope they are able to secure a new builder (current bid deadline is 10/12/06) and that they are able to build the bridge as proposed. For more info. visit www.freewayextension.com.

I have lots of issues with the way growth is managed in this region. I do think we are improving, yet there tends to be a sort of knee jerk reaction to growth in the Reno/Sparks area. Instead of meeting or anticipating projected growth the city would rather wait until the last moment to implement traffic/street upgrades. Our freeway system is a perfect example of this. They just spent tons of money adding addtional lanes in certain areas, but not in others and putting up sound walls and for all the time and money spent on the "upgrades" (construction took approx. 1 year longer than it should have) I really don't see much of an improvement. Instead of fixing the freeway by implementing flyover interchanges on I-80 & 395, the city chose to do a temporary fix. Same goes for the Spanish Springs/Sun Valley interchange. Last I heard they had all but killed the idea of building a new freeway in the mountains between Sun Valley & Spanish Springs in favor of adding additional lanes to Pyramid Hwy. and redoing the Pyramid & McCarran Blvd intersection. Either way, I'll be truly suprised if the current changes to I-80 & 395 are enough to accomodate growth through 2015-2020, especially without the completion of the Tahoe/Pyramid link. Speaking of the Tahoe/Pyramid Link, has there been any resolution to where they are going to put this? They really need a freeway that links South Reno with Sparks. If only they could come to an agreement on where it will go. http://www.newsreview.com/reno/Content?oid=oid%3A23568

On a slightly different topic, but still traffic related....has anyone heard anything about the Bus Rapid Transit on Virginia Street? I think it's a great idea that they should be working on. Just think how much more money tourists could spend in the area if they had an easy way to get from downtown to Meadowood and The Summit. I also think a BRT system would work great for McCarran Blvd., but I'm sure we are decades from that happening.

As for my general interests in the Reno area, I REALLY hope the Waterfront Towers and Wingfield Towers get built. I think those two projects alone have the ability to elevate the quality of future development in downtown Reno and will do wonders for the region. I've been hearing they are running into funding issues with some of the proposed projects downtown, but last I heard the Waterfront was moving forward. The Grand Sierra Resort also looks quite promising. They still claim they are going to have a Dolce Restaurant (owned in part by Mr. Demi Moore himself) and a Viper Room, which would be quite impressive.

Well, enough of my ranting. I hope I didn't bore too many of you. :D
It's a beautiful day and they're talking about snow in the mountains by this weekend so I better get outside and enjoy it while it lasts.

[kenratboy]

BTinSF - thee who is upstream controls the tap :cool: There is a lot of water around here, just an issue of getting it. In Vegas, they have a lot more problems. Not worried.

jwaters943 - yeah, looks like Q&D is fighting hard for it, if anything, it would be a great flagship project for them! I think this will help the region grow (make it easier, faster, and safer to go between Reno and Carson, and points north/south)

As for the freeways, I am no expert, so I cannot really say if what they are doing is right or wrong, but I do believe the people doing this stuff are pretty good and it really is helping. You have said what I think, so not a lot more for me to add.

No idea about the bus systems, but I will say I have lived in Reno for 6 years and have never been on the bus (other than shuttle buses) - no desire or interest. I agree that a shuttle bus from downtown to Meadowood to Summit (stops at Atlantis/Peppermill/GSR as well) would be cool. No idea how feasible it is.

Yes, I really hope Waterfront and Wingfield get built - it would look amazing (help get rid of the undeserved stereotypes Reno has) and would hopefully jump-start downtown development. I also hope that GSR goes ahead as well. The Hilton site is huge, and they could do a lot. I just don't know if they will actually do cool stuff.

No, you are not boring me, interesting to hear this stuff from another person from the area.

Even though we live in Reno, I am still really interested in the stuff happening in Sacramento and San Francisco - cool stuff.

Oh, another thing even - Virginia City. They just built one large hotel off the main street, and should be building another soon (total or a few hundred rooms!) This is big news for a tiny city. They just need to get some more tourist stuff in, and build out the fvcking railroad! You should be able to leave Carson City (or at least the base of 50) and take the train up to Virginia City, be able to easily get to your hotel, and be done. I think there is a lot of potential up there, I just hope they take advantage of it.

[jwaters943]

Here is some info. on the BRT system planned for Virginia Street. The first phase will go from UNR to Meadowood, with the second phase extending all the way to Mt Rose Hwy. a few years after. BRT is much similar to Light Rail than a traditional bus. Here is a link with more detailed info.:

http://www.rtcwashoe.com/planning/transit/brt/
http://www.rtcwashoe.com/about/organization/planning/transit/images/BRTBus_Rendering_Sm.jpg

Transit article from Reno Magazine (2005):

Transit of the future

Within eight to 10 years, a $40 million rapid bus transit system will run the length of South Virginia Street in a designated lane from the University of Nevada, Reno to Mount Rose Highway. This won’t be any ordinary bus route. It will have its own lane, elevated platforms, and automatic doors, and it will make the trip in a fraction of the time it takes to drive it. Although the system still is in the planning stages, RTC executives already have started socking away money for it. When the line is operating, officials hope to see a rebirth of retail business along Reno’s main corridor as more and more shoppers and commuters find the speedy bus route to be the most practical way of getting around the area.

New transit centers in Reno and Sparks, scheduled for completion by 2008, will be designed as the home bases for the existing Citifare bus system. They will be much larger than the existing transit center in Reno and will include retail services and other amenities, such as day care centers. Picture it: commuters will be able to drop off their kids, get a cup of coffee, and know precisely to the minute when their bus will arrive to carry them to work. At the end of the day, they’ll be able to stop off at the grocery store to pick up milk or vegetables or some chicken for dinner. It all will be there for them.

“We have to make transit more attractive to get more people to use it,” Krause says. “These kinds of transit centers that have retail services and day care either incorporated into the project or adjacent to it have been a great success in other cities and we think it will work here, too.”

The RTC has almost completed right-of-way property acquisitions in Sparks and hopes to start building the transit center there this fall. Property acquisition in Reno is more complicated, so that project isn’t expected to start until 2006.

The train trench will be completed (in November this year) and traffic will be able to flow smoothly instead of waiting while the engines roll through town. But you probably already knew about that. What you may not know is money has been set aside for a new two-block plaza over the top of the trench downtown. Planners haven’t decided yet where to locate the plaza, but as redevelopment downtown continues, you can expect to see improvements to the roads, sidewalks, and crosswalks that will make downtown friendlier to people on foot.

High-density housing downtown already is being designed to make the decision to go without a car easier for many residents. Reno and Sparks citizens may some day find they have something in common with San Franciscans, who often find it easier to park their cars and just ride the bus. Sparks already has a housing project planned adjacent to the site of its transit center.

Based on this article I guess there won't be any construction on the project for about another 5 years or so. Just FYI, I don't currently ride the bus either, but I think well designed public transportation (i.e. light rail, subway systems and even advanced bus systems like BRT are an asset and necessity to any developing city) The Bay Area, S.F. in particular, is pretty much the only western city/metropolitan region I can think of with a truly "good" public transit system IMHO.

[jwaters943]

This is an update to my previous post:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=110928

New picture of Arterra Condo Tower:
16 Story Condo tower, scheduled to break ground in 2007 and to be completed in 2009.

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/arterra/arterranew.jpg

Wingfield Towers gains final approval of the planning commission. When complete, it will have two towers containing 499 condos, 19,817 square feet of retail space and 20,603 square feet of office space. One tower will be 40 stories (the tallest in Northern Nevada) and the other will be 28. For more pics go to http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/WingfieldTowers.asp

http://www.renodiscontent.com/wp-content/thumb-wingfieldtowers.jpg

The Denovo, formerly the Kings Inn Casino and one of the biggest eyesores in the downtown area, appears to be gaining momentum. Plans now include another 18-story tower on the other side of the railroad tracks with a plaza covering the train trench between the towers. Here is a pic of the existing building and what is should look like after they add 8 stories to it (they've had engineers come in and say the building is quite robust and the foundation can support the extra weight which is a bit suprising given it's appearance). There are no pics of the planned 18-story tower as of yet. They also plan to include a restaurant, dog spa and a boutique grocery store on the bottom floor.

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/kingsinn.jpg
http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/Kings_Inn/crowleypres_13_0002-sm.jpg

New Train Trench Cover/Pedestrian Plaza between Virginia Street & West Street:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/jwaters943/Trenchcover.jpg

The Reno City Council on Wednesday approved a design for a two-block plaza west of Virginia Street, covering the city's new trench for Union Pacific Railroad tracks that cut through downtown.

The $16 million pedestrian plaza, built with railroad trench and related grant and bond money, is the final part of the $313 million trench, creating a new landmark for Reno.

"The last 10 percent of it is 100 percent of what people will see," Montage condominium developer Fernando Leal told the council.

"It's just beautiful," Mayor Bob Cashell said.

Between the plaza and a new look for Virginia Street now under way, Cashell said the two projects are going to bring people back to the downtown area.

"Just like the whitewater park did," he said. "This has been coming for 20 years."

Councilman Dave Aiazzi said the series of huge trellises remind him of railroad tracks.

Each of 12 trellises spanning 60 feet would be planted with wisteria and trumpet vine to shade the plaza. Paving stones would be laid over precast concrete sections that cover the trench, with rows of shade trees at the edge of the trellises.

The trellises disguise a series of towers that are 24-26 feet tall. The towers are equipped with fans so smoke and fumes can be removed quickly from the tunnel if there's a train accident.

The towers also help support the trellises, said Gene Webber of plaza designer PLACES Consulting Services of Sparks.

"We took a very ugly item and tried to create something beautiful," said Jack Hawkins, a Reno architect who was part of the design team. The trellises will create "a hanging garden effect," he added.

Nighttime glow

The top of each tower will glow at night, and colored light bulbs can be used.

The designers said special-event organizers believe the plaza could be used every week, and outdoor vendors could set up shop every day. Water and other utility outlets would be provided.

Source: Reno Gazette Journal

[Vtown420]

Here's a few construction pics I took.

Palladio
http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/3136/067copymf5.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2097/068copygc8.jpg

Former Golden Phoenix being converted to condos
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/4051/069xn2.jpg

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/585/070copyls5.jpg


And a couple skyline shots
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/4118/skylinegy9.jpg

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/9821/renolightskd4.jpg

[Vtown420]

...

[TheDesertFox]

Reno is in Nevada.

[jwaters943]

For the record I originally posted my Reno related threads in the Mountain West Forum and several members suggested posting them here instead. The city limits have been extended all the way to the Cal/Nev border so maybe they figured it was close enough. ;)

Regarding the Palladio, go to http://www.thepalladio.net/ for more info. and a pic of what it should look like once construction is complete.

[Vtown420]

There's no Nevada forum and nobody in the Mountain west cares about it. But some people from California do. That's why we posted here.

[fflint]

Okay--I just merged the two threads.

Just to quickly address something and move on: Reno forumers are always welcome to post in the Califorum. Reno shares a border for a few miles with California, but more importantly, Northern Californians generally are infinitely more familiar with Reno than are southern Nevadans, let alone people in the rest of the Mountain West.

--
What an amazing building boom downtown. What are the chances for Wingfield? Also, is it just me, or has the Palladio taken a long time? I was there last Christmas and it was nearly topped out then.

Oh--and nice skyline shots.

[Vtown420]

Yeah, it seems like the Palladio is taking forever. Especially when I compare it to stuff going up in Vegas, where things seem to move alot faster.

[Jay916]

nice pics!

[J Church]

Can't wait to see the trench cover. Also:

The designers said special-event organizers believe the plaza could be used every week, and outdoor vendors could set up shop every day.

Will there be any sort of concerted effort to keep the plaza active? It's got such a great location; would be a shame for it to just sit there unused.

[jwaters943]

The Palladio has taken longer than expected. I think there were some cash flow ploblems. As for the Wingfield Towers project, word of mouth has been good, but I have no real "inside" information. From everything I've heard they have the financing necessary to get it built. The Waterfront and Wingfield towers, if built, will totally transform our skyline.


One last update I forgot to mention has to do with the Grand Sierra Resort (formerly the Reno Hilton). Aside from a bit of painting and sign changes, the outside has not undergone any renovations as of yet. Work on the inside is progressing a bit faster. Due to open within the next month is Dolce, the restaurant owned in part by Ashton Kutcher. Here is a blub from GSR's website:

Coming Soon!

Perhaps the ultimate test of style and taste is a resort's ability to attract a restaurant of renown. In proudly presenting the second location of Los Angeles' famous Dolce Enoteca, the Grand Sierra cements its reputation as a world-class destination for culinary delights.

Designed by Dodd Mitchell, Dolce Enoteca combines classic, high-end Italian cuisine with glamourous Hollywood ambiance. Whether patrons enjoy the classic menu of extraordinarily prepared pastas, meats, and seafood, the enoteca menu of small plates at the bar, or the sommelier's selection from among thousands of the world's finest wines, Dolce Enoteca is certain to become Reno's finest option for everything from casual drinks after work to private dinner parties and events.

http://www.grandsierracondos.com
http://www.grandsierraresort.com

[jwaters943]

Can't wait to see the trench cover. Also:

The designers said special-event organizers believe the plaza could be used every week, and outdoor vendors could set up shop every day.

Will there be any sort of concerted effort to keep the plaza active? It's got such a great location; would be a shame for it to just sit there unused.

It remains to be seen, but I don't think they'll have a problem. As it is now, there is a severe shortage of outdoor public space in downtown. Reno has lots of special events that take place downtown and it's not uncommon to find Virginia Street closed off during the weekend during much of the Summer on the weekend. The plaza could be utilized at any of the following events that take place downtown: Hot August Nights, Street Vibrations, The Great Italian Festival, Blues & Brews Festival, Artown, Gay Pride, etc.

At other times of the year I would love to see the plaza become a gathering spot for musicians/artists and cart vendors (hot dogs/falafel/ice cream/funnel cake, etc.). It would also be a great site to house a Farmers Market like the one in Sparks, NV.

[EastBayHardCore]

Awesome pics and info. I was just in Reno 2 weeks ago and it's looking great. I was wondering what was up with the former Hilton, thanks for filling us in about it!

[jwaters943]

More info. on The Palladio from http://dianecohn.blogs.com:

Last week I took a hard-hat tour of The Palladio, Reno's first built-from-scratch condominium project downtown. Hidden under a green tarp for many months now, what surprised me about the building were the numerous expansive windows, high ceilings and generous outdoor terrace space in almost every unit I saw. This project is right on the Riverwalk, so the water views from the south and west units are fantastic.

To keep HOA fees under control, the project went light on homeowner amenities. The deck and spa area will feature an infinity edge pool overlooking the river when complete, and of course, residents will enjoy a high-style lobby. That's about it.

But the retail spaces below may more than make up for this. Starbucks has leased the corner unit on Sierra and First, and Mikuni, an extremely popular Sacramento sushi bar plans to occupy the back side of the building facing the river, potentially offering up to 3000 square feet of outdoor dining. Port of Subs and The Melting Pot are also looking at possible locations there.

So with the movie theaters across the street, Coldstone Creamery, Taco Del Mar, that new lounge going in and the Silver Peak Brewery all right there, plus that little art gallery turned downtown market up the street and the big new nightclub going in on Second and Sierra... pretty much this project is at the epicenter of our slowly emerging, soon-to-be-cool, new downtown.

According to the developer, the people buying here are well-to-do locals and some out-of-towners. Many plan to live there full time, while some will keep them as second homes. There are a couple of one-bedroom units available facing First Street in the mid threes, a wonderful one-bedroom with a huge private terrace on the pool level in the mid fours, and a gorgeous two bedroom with a curved wall of windows overlooking the Truckee River for $800,000 that just fell out of escrow. There are other units available as well, but these are the ones I remember.

The penthouse views are incredible, but sorry, all four are sold. The best one, at a little over 3000 square feet, went for about $1.7 million. The Montage, however, still has a few left, and the views from there are arguably more magnificent.

More info. on the Wingfield Towers project:

-Building will be LEED Silver Certified
-Parking for up to700 cars and 500 bikes
-Towers are quite narrow and designed to cast a minimal shadow on the nearby Truckee River & Wingfield Park. The towers will cover only 41% of the lot, with 48% going to patio/plaza space and 11% for landscaping
-Lower floor designed to be water tight in the event of a flood

For the complete article go here:

http://www.renodiscontent.com/2006/10/10/wingfield-towers-update-2/

[jwaters943]

News of a much smaller scale. The tacky Fitzgerald's pedestrian bridge near the Reno arch is biting the dust. It will be torn down to make way for the new train trench cover/public plaza.

http://img423.imageshack.us/img423/5739/0220867r105425a6yl.jpg

Here's to hoping the demolition crew somehow manages to take out the pawn shops and discount gift shops across the street as well. :cheers: ;)

[kenratboy]

Hey - don't hate on the discount gift shop - this town was built on $.99 shot glasses and clear dice with tequila worms in the middle!

:p

On 10/3, I posted a link to a local new story saying Wingfield was still moving along and had passed some city approval meetings. The article is gone, but this was only a week ago - things are moving...slowly.

However, a 28 and 40-story building in Reno are worth waiting for.

[jwaters943]

The website for Arterra has just been updated. There is a wide array of floorplans and sizes (from around 640-3500 square feet, not including the large balconies). The interior appliances/fixtures seem high-end. I'm somewhat suprised to see no mention of a pool. Given the expected pricing, one might expect a pool.

Either way, it looks pretty impressive. Check it out!
http://www.arterra-home.com/

[Ronin]

That pedestrian bridge is the stupidest thing ever! No wonder they are tearing it down. Take an elevator up to walk over to the otherside, when you could have done the same thing on the street level.

Also, wow, so they really did gut out all of the interior on the Golden Phoenix. I thought they would just be remodeling the rooms. It looks like something to take into consideration.

[jwaters943]

The pedestrian bridge was needed to get tourists to the other side of the train tracks before they were lowered. Quite a few trains roll through Reno each day. Downtown used to be a nightmare certain times of day and it created a real problem for Ambulance and Police vehicles. You would not believe the amount of controversy it caused locally when City Council decided to lower the train tracks. It was during the height of downtown's "depression" in the 90's. People said it would bankrupt the city and how it was a waste of money. Now it's being credited, along with the Whitewater Park, with helping revitalize downtown and everyone loves it. It has even been referred to as Reno's "Big Dig".

As for the Montage (formerly Golden Phoenix), they always intended from the start to give it a "true" redo by stripping it all the way down to the metal framing. By the time it's done it should be unrecognizable which is a great thing IMO. Even the demo at the Belvedere Towers (former Sundowner Hotel) is fairly extensive. The outside will be spruced up with new paint, windows and details around the roof as well as the addition of a couple floors in certain spots. The interior has been completely gutted.

I'm just glad they're not doing it half-assed like the former Comstock, which is now The Residences at Riverwalk. The interior of those units are quite nice, but the exterior lacks any architectural definition whatsoever. Aside from new paint and removal of neon, it looks largely the same, which is to say, like many other buildings of it's time period (60's-70's).

[kenratboy]

Yeah, the bridge was for when the train would block people - it served its purpose, now it is time for it to go.

And the trench was a great idea - yes, it was expensive, but in the long run, a great idea.

[Ronin]

BTW, anyone know what happened to the pawn shop owned by that one dude who killed his wife?

[fflint]

The pedestrian bridge is outdated and unnecessary today, but it served its purpose, as others have noted. It was fairly cool inside--initially lined with a center aisle of slot machines, later (at least on one of my visits) featuring an exhibit of historic photos of downtown Reno from the city's founding until about the 1950s. Needless to say that caught my attention.

I liked being able to gamble while trainspotting, but I like the trench a lot better and the plaza will be gravy.

[fflint]

Reno city officials negotiate details of Fitzgeralds deal

Susan Voyles and Scott Sady
Reno Gazette-Journal
10/12/2006

http://cmsimg.rgj.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=J7&Date=20061012&Category=NEWS10&ArtNo=610120349&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&border=0&Maxw=299

http://cmsimg.rgj.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=J7&Date=20061012&Category=NEWS10&ArtNo=610120349&Ref=V2&Profile=1002&MaxW=800&MaxH=600&Site=J7&Q=100&Border=0&Title=1
An artist’s rendering of what the plaza would look like

One more piece in building a landmark plaza in downtown Reno is falling into place as city officials negotiate the final details for a land swap with Fitzgeralds Casino-Hotel.

Fitzgeralds would gain the city-owned Old Reno Casino in exchange for giving up small strips of land on both sides of the train trench. The city wants to build a two-block plaza over the year-old railroad trench.

The Reno City Council authorized negotiations on Wednesday to complete the deal.

Fitzgeralds would agree to demolish the Rainbow Bridge that crosses the trench at Virginia Street. It would be in the way of the plaza.

The City Council on Wednesday also took the first step to authorize the sale of $15 million in bonds, backed by leases from 77 properties along the trench inherited from Union Pacific Railroad.

Finance director Andy Green said those funds could be used for a variety of projects. This could include helping pay for the last $2 million needed to build the $16 million plaza.

Steve Varela, Reno public works director, said he expects to bring a final design for the two-block plaza to the City Council for approval in November. The plaza, also fronting the Montage condominium development at what was former the Golden Phoenix Hotel Casino & Resort, would include a series of giant trellises. They would be arched over the plaza for shade and hanging lights.

Fitzgeralds' Rainbow Bridge opened in January 1998, serving as a pedestrian overpass while the trench was under construction and a temporary track was laid to keep trains moving. Union Pacific gave Fitzgeralds $800,000 to build it.

With the trench opening last year, Varela said there's no need for the bridge.

Final details to be negotiated include arranging for Fitzgeralds to retain some valet parking spaces on Commercial Row near its hotel entrance.

How it would work

The city would give up the Old Reno Casino, a 4,225 square-foot parcel between Fitzgeralds and the Old Masonic building on Commercial Row. With the small parcel and its ownership of the Masonic building, Fitzgeralds would own the entire block on Commercial Row.

Bud Hicks, Fitzgeralds lawyer, said the company has no plans for either property for now. Fitzgeralds is in bankruptcy and controlled by a court-appointed supervisor.

Looking inside the windows, the interior of the Old Reno Casino has been trashed and exterior signs ripped off the wall.

Hicks said the Masonic Lodge building, the oldest building in Reno, probably can't be restored.

"The structure is not sound. It has a rubble foundation," said Jerry Priddy, Fitzgeralds' general manager. And he said the foundation is disintegrating.

In 2003, Reno condemned the property and bought it for $1. The condemnation allowed a company owned by Harvey Whittemore to retain the unlimited gaming license and use it elsewhere without having to build 200 hotel rooms.

The city agreed to that deal to avoid a lawsuit from Old Reno Casino over lost business while the trench was under construction.

Whittemore and the Peppermill later considered using that gaming license to open the Lazy 8 casino project in Spanish Springs. Then they decided to build the 200 hotel rooms.

[jwaters943]

From http://www.ktvn.com:

Another downtown bridge’s days are numbered. But there’s not much fuss from historic preservationists since it’s only been around a decade.
The City of Reno is moving forward on a deal that would allow them to tear down the old Fitzgeralds pedestrian bridge parallel to Virginia Street. In turn, the casino would take ownership of the shuttered Old Reno casino property which sits next door.
The city says the reason behind all of this is what will be the focal point of the area, a new plaza that will cover the train trench from Virginia to Sierra Streets.

This article pretty much confirms what fflint posted above. It's also worth noting that on KTVN's newscast this morning they stated the City Council anticipates the demolition to be completed before the end of the year. It seems they are putting the train trench plaza on the fast track. It's too bad the ice rink canopy near the river isn't getting the same prioritization.

The canopy and retail building pictured below were supossed to be done by now. Supposedly, there will be further discussion of the canopy of the 25th. I hope concerns over cost don't create a major revision. I for one like the design.....it's different and interesting.

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/icerinkcanopy.jpg

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/virginiastreet.jpg

[jwaters943]

Many more pics of downtown Reno can be found in my Photo thread here:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=2387577#post2387577

[jwaters943]

New Hyatt Place Hotel @ the Reno/Tahoe International Airport:

http://cmsimg.rgj.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Dato=20061109&Kategori=BIZ04&Lopenr=611090310&Ref=AR&MaxW=800&MaxH=600&Site=J7&Q=100&Border=0&Title=0

Hyatt near airport could open by summer
RYAN RANDAZZO
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 11/9/2006

A 127-room Hyatt all-suite hotel could be open at Reno-Tahoe International Airport by summer, officials said Wednesday, touting the project as a crucial component in attracting business travelers to the region.

The Hyatt Place is a prototype for the company. The lease on airport land is fully executed and plans for the six-story hotel are nearly ready to submit to the city, airport Executive Director Krys Bart said. Work could start this year, and the property could open next summer.

"At the gateway to the city from the airport, it will give travelers a good first impression of the city," Bart said.

The hotel is planned for the south side of Plumb Lane just west of the main entrance to the airport. It does not include a casino, but will have meeting space to cater to business travelers, particularly those going between Northern and Southern Nevada.

The approximately $15 million Hyatt will be managed by Intermountain Management of Monroe, La., and it is their fourth property in the region, said Dewey Struble, senior adviser with Sperry Van Ness real estate in Reno.

The project is one of just three Hyatt Place hotels being built from the ground up, he said, with the rest of the 120 planned Hyatt Places across the country being converted from AmeriSuites hotels that the Hyatt chain purchased. That gives the builders the opportunity to customize the Reno project with stone, wood and a mountain decor, he said.

The airport also is working with a confidential developer to build three-story offices with underground parking, retail and a restaurant on the remaining acreage surrounding the Hyatt, Bart said.

The upscale plans for the hotel include granite counter tops and flat-screen televisions for the rooms.

"Right outside the airport we'll have a national hotel chain with a points program," Bart said. "That is important to business travelers."

Other officials have suggested the lack of a major hotel brand in the region following the transformation of the Reno Hilton into Grand Sierra Resort is a weakness for efforts to increase tourism.

"Right now, there are no traditional hotels in Reno that travelers know," said Ellen Oppenheim, president and chief executive of the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority. "Long term, we need more national flags here."

The airport will generate $170,000 in rent from the property annually in a contract that raises the rate over time, Bart said, adding that the more money the facility earns from nonaviation operations, the less expensive it is for airlines to fly to Reno and more likely they'll maintain or increase flights.

The project has been in negotiations for years, Bart said.

"We were really concentrating on the high end," she said. "It came down to Hilton and Hyatt."

http://www.hyattplace.com

I'm not sure what they mean by a lack of name-brand "traditional hotels", maybe they were referring to high-end hotels? Either way, I can think of quite a few "traditional" name-brand hotels in Reno, such as Hampton Inn, Marriot Courtyard & Residence Inn, Travelodge, Extended Stay America, Best Western, Holiday Inn, etc. There are also two Hilton Hotels planned for South Reno, one of which is currently under construction.


Cedar Dwellings (new Live/Work Lofts project in downtown):

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/cedardwellings/main.jpg

-Italian Designer Kitchen—Scavolini™ kitchen, Miele™ and Bosch™ appliances. Striking design and lifetime hardware are a Scavolini hallmark while meeting ISO14001 environmental standards. The components for Miele appliances are designed to last for 40 years!

-Walk in closet— Panelite™ A lightweight opaque sliding wall separates the extensive dressing area and laundry facilities are incorporated. Directly connected to the bathroom and well lit.

-Toto™ and Kohler™ bathroom fixtures.

-Ceiling to floor mosaic tile shower and exterior french door.

-Harvested bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring is a superior replacement for traditional rain-forrest derived hardwood floors.

-Two decks—Step directly from the kitchen to a balcony—a personal space for that morning laté as you read the blogs. The larger rear deck has ample of room for sun chairs and and a barbecue, a great place to entertain many guests.

-Heat recovery ventilator (HRV) — fresh air drawn into the house passes through a heat exchanger keeping up-to 80% of the heat from the stale exhaust air. You get to have filtered fresh air and maintain the comfort.
Designer Interior Lighting—balancing natural lighting, supplemental lighting and full nighttime illumination is an integral aspect of good contemporary design.

-Loft-like open floor plan and 17 foot ceiling makes the interior truly a living space.

-QuietRock® Soundproof Drywall

-Super-Insulated—sound and temperature control.

-The building envelope is the single most important factor in sustainable design. Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) combined with a Sarnafil EnergySmart Roof® and commercial-grade low-E profile windows actually reduce the required size of the heating and cooling system by around 40%. The insulated concrete walls provide R-50 equivalency while providing fantastic sound insulation, fire, high wind and seismic resistance. Most stick built tract homes around Reno are lucky to achieve an effective R-19! ICFs are the wall of choice for million dollar homes in south-west Reno as well as Habitat for Humanity homes in Stead.

-Geothermal Heat—the most reliable and cheapest heating and cooling.
Geothermal heat pumps deliver high efficiency and reliability with the lowest operating cost. No volatile fuels, exhaust fumes or dangerous carbon monoxide. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems, occupy less space and run quieter and more reliably. Heating and cooling savings can range between $358 and $1,475 annually.

-Live/Work—multi-purpose design for mixed-use zoning.
The first floor layout is specifically designed for dual-use. You can keep it 100% residential or it can become the ideal consulting office/design studio! No matter what you choose the upper floors maintain their residential privacy and security. Mixed-use zoning combined with Cedar Dwellings' dual-use design provides the modern professional with a live-work experience unseen in Reno.

-Urban in-fill project—using what we have and not sacrificing more open space. The myriad of new developments (usually miles away from where you need to be) all have one thing in common; they bulldoze away the very essence of Washoe Valley life. Cedar Dwellings is an urban in-fill project that helps reduce the impact of growth by using and improving the existing infrastructure on previously developed land. For example, we use pervious concrete paving that allows rainwater to replenish the groundwater while reducing the impact of storm-water runoff.

http://www.cedardwellings.com

[jwaters943]

On a more somber note, some of you may have heard on the National News about a fire in downtown Reno on Halloween. The Mizpah, one of downtown Reno's oldest structures, was badly damaged in a fire started by an angry resident of the hotel who set a mattress on fire in a hallway. Twelve people died and over 30 were injured. The hotel was so badly damaged that a section of it will have to be demolished. There are several small businesses, including a very good pizza place (The Blind Onion), that sustained water damage. What's so frustrating and sad about the whole thing is the lady who started this was convicted of murder in the late 80's and released on parole in 2005! Not only that, but 2 years before being parolled, she was convicted of selling drugs inside prison! How the hell does that even happen?!? She should fry IMHO.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS/61102004&template=theme&theme=MIZPAH&GID=6NP/mH3JtEiPH0lexSLCMdeW7jP280NGR21iZw8ODIM%3D

http://cmsimg.rgj.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=J7&Date=20061101&Category=SPECIAL01&ArtNo=61101005&Ref=AR&border=0&Maxw=600

In better days:

http://www.nevadamax.com/snap/smpho.jpg

http://drewish.com/albums/random-rno/IMG_1323.sized.jpg

[kenratboy]

Great posts.

Yeah, 12 dead at the Mizpah now, very sad event. Shows just how safe modern buildings are in comparison to the older stuff. Looks like there were no code violations, just a old building and bad events.

As for the Hyatt, 6 stores isn't tall...but its sure going to be nice. Its the little stuff that 'fills in' the area.

[jwaters943]

Below is an interesting report on the financial problems plaguing the developers of the Palladio. At least it explains why construction on the project has taking so long. I still find it odd that the developer, BCN Development, didn't budget for a pitched roof design when that is what they submitted to the city and were approved for. I still remember a few months back when they came to the city and were denied approval to build the tower with a flat roof. I hope they don't run all their developments this way. Last I heard they had some pretty big plans for Sacramento. Anybody know how the Aura & Epic towers are coming together?

http://www.bcndevelopment.com/

Anyway, check out the video:

http://ww2.kolotv.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?ClipID1=1055790&h1=Palladio%20Problems&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=137333&LaunchPageAdTag=Homepage&fvCatNo=&backgroundImageURL=&activePane=info&playerVersion=1&hostPageUrl=http%3A//ww2.kolotv.com/global/category.asp%3Fc%3D52937%26title%3DFeatured+Videos%26WNResizeIframeID%3Dwn_frame46890810728072%26clientType%3Dwn_video_c%26WNResizeFileURL%3Dhttp%3A//www.kolotv.com/video&rnd=9464240

[Web]

Any new news on BCN's development here in Reno?

[jwaters943]

Well, their only project in Reno is the Palladio and it's nearing completion. The roof is going on now. Here's the newest pic I could find online.

http://www.newtoreno.com/gallery/palladio27.jpg

[urban_encounter]

There's an amazing amount of activity going on in Reno, and the Palladio will be a nice addition.

[Stilosilva]

Condo developers upbeat on downtown Reno market
STEVE TIMKO
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 4/28/2007
STORY CHAT(read or post comments)
advertisement


The real estate market may be softening in Nevada, as well as the rest of the nation, but the effort to add new condominiums to downtown Reno is still going strong.

Officials at Riverwalk Towers, which used to be the Comstock Casino, report they have sold about 90 percent of their units. There still are about 13 units left, including a penthouse, said Tasheena Weishaar, director of marketing.

"Everything has slowed down, but I don't think that the condo market is in the same category as the housing market," Weishaar said. "We have not slowed down as much as they have."

Most of the people who bought units at the Riverwalk live there as opposed to owning them for investments, she said. While a significant amount of people moved from the Bay Area, even more are from the Reno area, she said.

"We have a ton of locals who wanted to live downtown and did not want to deal with the responsibilities of a house," Weishaar said.

One is Norm Robins, 70, who moved in after living in a home on Clear Acre Drive. Robins moved to the Reno area from San Francisco two years ago.

Before living in the condo, Robins said he had a yard.

"I can't tell you how much I do not miss it," Robins said.

The yard was nice until there was a maintenance problem such as a leaking water pipe, which had to be repaired as soon as possible.

"Life without that sort of thing is much more carefree," Robins said.

Living downtown, Robins said he and his wife go to events at the Pioneer Theater, and they've seen just about every Bruka Theater production not meant for children. They walk along the river, and they enjoy restaurants like Lexie's at the Siena Hotel Spa & Casino or Beaujolais Bistro across the street from their condominium.

The Palladio has sold 74 of 92 units and people will start moving in there in about a month, said Dave Clark, who is the court-appointed receiver for the development.

The market is not as hot as it was in 2006, but a large part of that is a lack of speculators, Clark said.

"I've been on the project for six months now, and we have not had any speculators buy in that period of time," Clark said. "It's been all people who intend to live here."

People still are buying the condos, he said.

"We're still satisfied that the market is out there for our product," Clark said. "People are driving harder bargains, but we're still meeting our sales goals."

Chris Nelson, a principal with Capstone Partners that is building Arterra at Sierra and Liberty streets, said groundbreaking has been postponed from this fall to spring. Nelson has also noticed the speculators have left the market.

"There's not the hype in the market that there was a year or two ago," Nelson said. "The market is more real."

Arterra so far has not attracted as many young urban professionals as he expected, Nelson said, but it's attracted more empty nesters than they expected. They expect about two-thirds of the buyers to be local.

The city of Reno in November approved the 499 units of the Wingfield Towers on Court Street near Arlington Avenue and spokesman Chris Barrett said it is on schedule with groundbreaking still set for this fall.

The Belvedere Towers, a conversion of the former Sundowner Casino, is proceeding at full speed, said sales manager Anita Perez. Half of the first tower is under contract for occupancy and workers have installed cabinets to the fourth floor and sheet rock to the eighth floor, Perez said.

A spokesman for the Montage, the conversion of what used to be the Flamingo Hilton and most recently the Golden Phoenix, could not be reached for comment.

Two other projects, The Waterfront Towers on First Street near Second Street and deNovo, the conversion of the long-closed Kings Inn Casino, were reported to be on hold. Representatives for those two properties could not be reached on Friday for comment.

Downtown condos
The Palladio: Total units completed: 92.Sold: 74 of 92 Open for occupation: June
The Belvedere Towers: A conversion of the former Sundowner Casino. Total units: 377. Sold: 98. Open for occupation: July
Riverwalk Towers: A conversion of the Comstock Casino. 2nd and West streets: total units: 127. Sold: 114. Residence already occupied.
Wingfield Towers: Court Street near Arlington Avenue. Approved for 499 units. Construction scheduled for fall.
Arterra: Sierra and Liberty streets. Total units: 191. Construction postponed until spring.
Montage: A conversion of the Golden Phoenix Hotel-Casino. Second and Sierra streets. Total Units: 380. Sold: unknown.
SOURCE: Reno Gazette-Journal research.

[ozone]

I'm really glad to see Reno develop beyond it's casinos. Reno's setting reminds me of Colorado Springs. While the suburbs are generally awful (as most contemporary suburbs are) it's downtown could really become a showpiece.

[jwaters943]

There is a good article in this months Nevada Magazine about development in Reno/Sparks. (too bad the web article doesn't include all the pics/renderings).

Here's the text for those too lazy to click on the link ;)

R E N O
RENAISSANCE

Dramatic Changes Planned For Reno
and Neighboring Sparks.

BY MATTHEW B. BROWN


PRETEND IT'S 2010. RENO AND SPARKS ARE?

A peek into the region's crystal ball will entice your inner child like a slippery water slide. In three years, or less, Northern Nevada should claim the largest indoor waterpark in the nation, the world's biggest all-sports superstore, and a minor-league baseball stadium.

At the same time, two downtowns less than five miles apart will bustle with new condominium developments. Add to the mix hip entertainment establishments, top-of-the-line restaurants, and posh clubs, and you've got an urban plastic surgery that would make even Dr. 90210 blush.

That is, if everything goes as planned.

Grand Sierra Shines

Grand Sierra Resort and Casino President Michael Carsch believes the stage is set for a Reno renaissance, and his 145-acre facility will be front and center during the transformation. Some of the most ambitious renovation and building projects in Washoe County are complete, underway, or projected at the former Reno Hilton property, where eight of the hotel's floors have been converted into more than 600 lavish condos. This fall construction on a 150,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, the nation's largest, should break ground.

Grand Sierra Resort Corporation bought the Hilton in 2006 with plans to forge Northern Nevada's first luxury destination. "We have the basics of a fabulous hotel, what I call a tired grande dame that we need to dust off and put the sparkle back into," Carsch says. "In line with the changing face of Reno it just makes sense."

With an estimated completion date of 2009, the waterpark tops an impressive Grand Sierra to-do list. Also proposed are a 200-room hotel next to the waterpark, two 48-story Kobi Karp-designed twin condo towers, a waterfront retail esplanade, an 80,000-square-foot day spa, and a $45-million water show, similar to the Las Vegas Bellagio fountain display. Celebrity chef Charlie Palmer plans to open two restaurants on the property, a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant.

Carsch says the changes speak to the community-locals looking for an upscale facility, better dining, and an environment that isn't gaming-specific-and the traveling public. It's an enormous undertaking, but Carsch is realistic. "We need people to understand this doesn't happen overnight. We're talking a five- to seven-year build out," he says. "People say, 'We're skeptical.' All understandable, but at the end of the day, watch us do something spectacular that Reno hasn't seen."

In February, Grand Sierra announced a partnership with elegant lifestyle and entertainment brand Nikki Beach. Plans call for a Nikki Beach Hotel-about 165 rooms-to occupy Grand Sierra's top three floors, a poolside Nikki Beach Club, and multiple nightclubs inside the resort. Nikki Beach could build another 200-room hotel next to the waterpark.

Change at Grand Sierra started almost the moment new ownership took control. One of three in the United States, Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante-actor Ashton Kutcher is an investor in the Dolce Group-opened inside Grand Sierra late last year and was Los Angeles designer Dodd Mitchell's initial stamp on the premises. In the same vein as the restaurant's dark, sleek décor, Mitchell designed The Summit at Grand Sierra, the name of the condo conversion of floors 17-24. The condos-ranging in price and size from $280,000 to $1.9 million and 420 to 2,100 square feet-were completed in April.

For those uninterested in an upscale condo investment, $3 will buy a ticket to the Grand Sierra Cinema. The movie theater, formerly the Keystone II Cinema, opened late last year after a $120,000 upgrade in digital sound equipment. Construction on a new lounge and wine bar, tentatively titled Reserve, began in March. Grand Sierra didn't forget the gamers, either. The revamped casino floor includes new slot and table games, new carpet, and fresh paint.

Downtown Reno's Critical Mass

When Charles McNeely took his seat as Reno City Manager in March 1996, he recognized a disconnect in the heart of the city. "The prevailing view was that nobody came downtown," he says after speaking at the Directions 2007 forum in Reno in February. "So what [the city government] wanted to do was make a concentrated effort to put in place amenities that would attract people."

According to McNeely, whose Directions presentation focused on the continuing enhancement of downtown, the City of Reno is fulfilling its mission. At the core are more than a dozen condo developments centered around the lifeblood of the city, the Truckee River. More than a decade ago, McNeely and the Reno City Council realized a vital resource was being ignored, similar to how Grand Sierra Resort Corporation President Thomas Schrade and other visionaries saw the former Reno Hilton. So the City of Reno took action. "Part of the first step was to get control of the river and those properties that were boarded up and vacant and a source of vagrants and panhandlers," McNeely says.

Little by little, downtown began to transform. In 1999, an old parking garage became Century Riverside 12 Theater, a nice complement to the Truckee River Walk. Shortly after, Riverside Artist Lofts and Residences at Riverwalk paved the way for the mixed-use (live, work, and shop) trend, and, in late 2005, Rink on the River breathed life into a space once occupied by the historic Mapes Hotel. The ice rink is part of a public plaza under construction on North Virginia Street. The winds of change also blew on the old Grenada Theater. In its place is Palladio, a 12-story, 92-unit, mixed-use condo complex scheduled to open this spring.

With construction underway and a projected March 2008 completion date, the old Golden Phoenix Hotel Casino will become Montage, a $150-million luxury condo tower with units ranging in size from 500 to 3,200 square feet. At the site of the former Sundowner Hotel Casino, the Belvedere should open its north tower some time this year and offer close to 370 upscale condos by 2009. Grant's Landing, also set to open this year, will feature 137 townhouses next to the National Automobile Museum. The existing Kings Inn will be renovated into 130 condos and retail space and renamed Denovo.

The residential flow doesn't stop there. Arterra (16 stories, 185 units), Freight House District (50 lofts and townhomes), The Waterfront (35 stories, mixed-use), and Wingfield Towers (499 condos, mixed-use) are in downtown Reno's future plans. The city is working on a master plan for the ReTRAC corridor-a two-plus-mile train trench through downtown completed in 2005-that will open up more real estate opportunities like plazas and mixed-use developments. Not only is Reno "giving people a reason to come back downtown," as McNeely says, but it's also giving people a reason to live downtown, which in turn promotes business and builds what McNeely calls a critical mass.

Too much, too fast? Not in Reno Mayor Bob Cashell's estimation. "I'm excited about all the different projects we have working here," says the fifth-year mayor. "I'm just tickled to death about the condos that are being built. Over the next five years you're going to see some dramatic changes in this region."

Putting Sparks on the Map

Like Siamese twins, it's difficult to separate Sparks from Reno or Reno from Sparks. The difference is so subtle, a matter of seconds on I-80 East is all it takes to pass through the Reno-Sparks continuum. One mammoth development, the estimated 1.35-million-square-foot Legends at Sparks Marina, will finally distinguish the city from Reno on a national level. "It's definitely going to put us on the map," says Sparks Mayor Geno Martini. "It's almost a billion-dollar project. No other development in Truckee Meadows is going to be close to Legends."

With a projected two- to three-year build out, the 100-acre Legends is being tagged as a destination development. In contrast to a typical Northern Nevada retail center, it's projected that most visitors will come from more than 100 miles away, with more than 10,000 visitors expected daily. The Red Development project will be anchored by the largest Scheels outdoor superstore in the world. There will be golf, bike, ski, whitewater, and fishing shops and special attractions such as giant aquariums, an indoor Ferris Wheel, shooting galleries, and interactive simulators where customers can test their athletic skills.

Move over Jurassic Park, because Rainforest Café founder and creator Steven Schussler is bringing T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure to Legends. Enormous animatronic dinosaurs will greet diners and shoppers. Just the third T-Rex planned for the U.S., it will offer interactive activities such as dinosaur digs with actual fossils and artifacts. If sporty superstores and prehistoric playgrounds don't do it for you, you'll be able to ride the mechanical bull at Saddle Ranch Chop House, but make sure you do it before you indulge in a savory steak and a one-liter specialty drink.

Other tenants announced by Red are Brooks Brothers, Camping World/FreedomRoads, Corona Cantina, Pin-Up Bowl, and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse. Plans for Legends also include a $500-million resort and casino to be built by Southern Nevada developer Olympia Gaming and a minor-league baseball stadium. "The project itself is a home run," Martini says. "If we get baseball, it's a grand slam." As of February, Red was negotiating with a Triple-A Pacific Coast League team. If Red is unable to attract a baseball team, the stadium land will be used for additional retail, Martini says.

Corresponding with the massive Legends project, Trammell Crow Development will unveil The District at Victorian Square, a community of 171 condos, townhomes, and live-and-work residences. To be located in the Victorian Square Plaza, The District will consist of one four-story and two three-story buildings. The condos and townhomes will offer 20 different floor plans, ranging in size from 760 to more than 2,000 square feet. The project follows the condo trend in neighboring Reno and will result in what developers call an urban village.

"Communities like The District give folks the opportunity to enjoy a city life where nearly everything they need is within walking distance," says Par Tolles, Trammell Crow area director. To break ground later this year with a projected completion date of 2008 or 2009, the project will be the city's first mixed-use development and will front other construction meant to spruce up downtown Sparks. City Hall will relocate to the downtown square, and roadway improvements, landscaping, additional lighting, and decorative paving will add appeal and charm to an existing tourism area. New Victorian Square construction began in early February.

If you think of Sparks as a big house, as city redevelopment manager Armando Ornelas does, then the new-look Victorian Square will be central to downtown’s revitalization. “We want it to play the role of the city’s living room,” he says. “What we’re looking for is a sense of street theater. You can come down and see and be seen.”

Adventure Means Advantage

Las Vegas might be the king of Nevada when it comes to drawing tourists, but its little sister from the north has an irresistible wild side, which happens to be Northern Nevada's marketing advantage. The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority thought so when it introduced the slogan "America's Adventure Place" in 2002. And the world is taking notice.

National Geographic Adventure featured Reno as its "Adventure Town" in the February 2007 issue. Titled "Rapid Transition," the article reads, "Over the past three years, Reno has begun a transformation from Nevada's runner-up gaming town to an adventure hub on par with Salt Lake City and Seattle." Of course the article doesn't ignore nearby Lake Tahoe's year-round attractions-not counting the back country, there are 22,000 skiable acres and 583 miles of hiking trails. Now Sparks, Reno's close neighbor, has caught the adventure bug.

Riding-or is it kayaking?-the success of Reno's Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield, Sparks city officials want to join the party. If the project is permitted, plans are to turn Rock Park, located 3.5 miles downstream of Wingfield, into an easy-access, easygoing whitewater facility.

"It's going to be on a lesser scale of what's in Reno," says Sparks Mayor Geno Martini. "This will be more for amateurs." The city hopes to complete the 1,400-foot segment of the river by October 1. The National Geographic article mentions the possibility of a 15-mile continuous stretch of recreational whitewater in Reno-Sparks. "That's what's planned for a few years down the road," Martini says, "[but] the process to do anything in the river is difficult."

If you're wondering where you're going to buy your favorite outdoor apparel, Reno-Sparks has you covered. Two of the nation's most recognizable outdoor superstores, Scheels and Cabela's, are to become permanent residents of the region. Scheduled to open this fall, Cabela's will encompass 125,000 square feet of hunting, fishing, and outdoor paradise across from Boomtown Hotel and Casino, seven miles west of downtown Reno off I-80. Not to be outdone, Scheels, a 240,000-square-foot portion of the Legends at Sparks Marina project, is scheduled to open in fall 2008. If you're not yet ready to take the bait, a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World superstore could accompany Station Casinos' proposed resort at Mount Rose Highway and U.S. 395.

Outdoor enthusiasts will soon be falling for Reno, hook, line, and sinker.


Source: http://www.nevadamagazine.com/Reno.Renaissance.html

[kenratboy]

Update on Wingfield towers (not good, not bad):

**********

Wingfield Condo plan survives bankruptcy:

The developer of the proposed Wingfield Towers said the high-profile downtown condo project is still a go despite the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 25.

Reno-based BSC Investments LLC, which plans to build the 40- and 28-story twin towers on the southern bank of the Truckee River, said the filing was meant to extend the deadline to close the deal for the land, which is being sold by Dr. John Iliescu.

The proposed site is on the southeast corner of Island and Arlington avenues and would surround the existing Park Towers' east and south sides.

Filing for Chapter 11, said Cal Bosma, general manager on the project for BSC, freezes the company's assets and pending transactions. That included the deal for the land, so the company can reorganize, buying it time to secure the $350 million in financing need for the project, he said.

"We have a deal that it was difficult to get to the final terms by the time it came to a closing, and we had somewhat onerous relationship at the time with the owner, which we have since resolved," Bosma said.

Iliescu was out of town Thursday and was unavailable for comment.

Bosma said the deal is on track, and he expects to have all the paperwork filed for the closing for the land "in the next week or two."

BSC is awaiting approval for a $350 million loan for construction of the project, but Bosma said he thought groundbreaking on the 499-unit Wingfield Towers project in October is still possible.

Bosma said filing Chapter 11 was the best way to be sure that BSC could still complete the deal for the land.

"It's a way to protect your assets from a business transaction if it is going awry," Bosma said. "It protects the investment that we've made to date to ensure that we can complete the transaction."

Two-thirds of BSC is owned by Portland, Ore.-based DeCal Inc., which Bosma is the general manager, with the balance owned by Berkeley, Calif.-based Consolidated Pacific Development Inc.

The judge in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court case in Reno is Gregg Zive.

**********

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070511/BIZ12/705110485/1071/BIZ

Well, its news, and the project is still alive and people want to build it, so lets hope for the best.

[jwaters943]

Just a small update on some misc. projects, including the neverending saga that is the Palladio.

-They're finally finishing the roof on the Palladio, which means they should finally complete the building by this Summer! A crane was erected today over 1st & Sierra Street. Starbucks looks days away from opening, but I didn't see any action inside on Mikuni Sushi.

-The Belvedere should see it's first residents this Summer as they near completion on the small tower. They've already added the steel framework for the two additional floors on the small tower.

-The Montage has also added steel framework for the top two floor addition (penthouses)

-The Ice Rink Canopy finally has approval and should be ready for the ice rink the winter of 2008-09.

-Construction on the downtown ballroom is progressing nicely and should be done by years end.

[kenratboy]

LAME!!!

Hi-rise construction downtown "on-hold"

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070708/BIZ12/707080348/1071/BIZ

It was less than two years ago that it seemed a downtown condo project was being announced each day.

But with a slowing housing market, the brakes have been put on such vertical projects as Arterra and Waterfront Towers.

Yet, many in the building industry believe that the urban lifestyle the downtown developers hoped to create in Reno is still very much in the cards.

"Unlike the development of single-family housing where you can phase construction, vertical development is a zero sum game," said Fernando Leal, developer of The Montage, an ongoing conversion project that will turn the former Golden Phoenix into a luxury condominium tower.

"Either you build the whole building or you don't. It should not come as a surprise to anyone with development experience that these projects are not going forward in this economic climate. These projects should not be viewed as the barometer as to how downtown Reno is doing or will do."

Indeed, the projects that got off the ground early, including conversion projects such as the Montage, the Belvedere Towers and the Riverwalk Towers, as well as the Palladio, which currently has its first condo owners moving in, are full steam ahead.

But others projects have not been as lucky.

Portland, Ore.-based Capstone Partners announced last week that it is putting a hold on its plans for Arterra, which is planned for the northwest corner of Sierra and Liberty streets.

The Waterfront Towers, on the southeast corner of Second and Lake streets, has also been put on hold as the developers of that project redesign their initial plans.

The developers of Wingfield Towers, which is planned for Sierra and Island Drive, have filed for bankruptcy protection in hopes of securing financing.

"It's just the tight housing market right now and trying to get things done," said Chris Barrett, spokesperson for BSC Investments LLC's project. "Things are moving forward with securing our financing, and we look forward to building the project."

Part of the problem is skyrocketing construction costs that have risen from about $225 per square foot of livable space to $425 per square foot for downtown high rises, said Bill Miller, president of Reno-based SilverStar Communities, which is developing the Grant's Landing townhome project next to the National Automobile Museum.

But, Miller said, the interest still is there for downtown living, and projects that aren't new high-rise towers, such as the hotel conversions, still have a good chance of success.

"Things have changed in the downtown market rather dramatically with respect to the hotel conversions," Miller said. "But we also have been gathering some very good information about various levels of interest from people that are looking for downtown lifestyles."

That interest is enough to keep Capstone from scrapping its Arterra project altogether, said Martha Shelley, principal in Capstone.

Shelley said if Capstone had lost its confidence in the Reno market, it would have sold its remaining inventory at The Village at Idlewild at a discount. Instead, Capstone is renting the final 108 units of that project as apartments until the market improves.

"From our perspective, everything we hear from buyers that have expressed interest in Arterra is that demand and that interest still exists," Shelley said. "That's why we are convinced and committed that we will continue to move forward with that project once we're confident that it is the right project at the right time for that marketplace."

Leal, who has expressed doubts about non-conversion projects in the past, said the slowing market for condos still is better than that of single-family homes because, unlike the single-family market, the amount of unsold inventory actually is decreasing.

"Demand for every developer has slowed to what previously would have been considered 'normal' and part of the real estate cycle," Leal said. "However, unlike single-family homes, the supply of downtown condos has contracted immensely while the improvements to downtown, driven by both the public and private sector, continues to attract a segment of the market that wants an urban lifestyle.

"On Sunday (July 1), we had a party that had over 300 attendees, with over half being buyers. I can assure you that their excitement for our project and all that is happening downtown has not diminished one bit."

[bigd]

I just returned from my first trip to reno, and had a great time. It is a great city:

UNR is a beautiful campus, and there is lots of construction. It must be growing very quickly.

The park at the river was awesome. There were many people there, and it appears that it has helped out the riverfront.

The downtown area is very urban and pedestrian friendly for a city its size.

Does anyone know if all of the proposed buildings will be built. What about the Wingfield and Waterfront?

[UrbanBrain]

Hello Reno experts, just hoping for a little help.

The Denver Post announced that there may be plans to do a trench train plan instead of putting them completely underground for our next biggest project, the Union Station Neighborhood. I understand that Reno has done this and wondered if you could offer some thoughts, advice, feedback, etc. We have a little local site and forum where we talk about it here (http://www.theurbanbrain.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=10#p63) if you could drop off your $0.02.

Any other cities you would recommend to look at for an example would be great to hear as well. Thanks from Denver!! :yes:

[kenratboy]

I just returned from my first trip to reno, and had a great time. It is a great city:

UNR is a beautiful campus, and there is lots of construction. It must be growing very quickly.

The park at the river was awesome. There were many people there, and it appears that it has helped out the riverfront.

The downtown area is very urban and pedestrian friendly for a city its size.

Does anyone know if all of the proposed buildings will be built. What about the Wingfield and Waterfront?

Unfortunately, those projects are on hold/dead in the water at the moment. However, next economic upswing, and we might get something. I have a feeling the next big building will be for a hotel/casino.

[jwaters943]

Four 30-story Condo Towers proposed for the South Meadows area of Reno:

http://m.rgj.com/news.jsp?key=53075&rc=op

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/comments.asp?CZID=196

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/Brin2/drsmtower.jpg

[mdiederi]

What lake is that those towers are next to?

[Guatemalanking]

Hi I would like to know more about Reno, hows housing/rent going for?what the cheapest and closest I can get to UNR? what about the jobmarket? transit and overall to rent if your on a colege student budget?

[mdiederi]

Olympia says they have acquired the land last week and are ready to start building their $800 million resort project in Sparks in the first quarter of 2008.
http://www.globest.com/news/978_978/gsrwest/163471-1.html

Down here in Vegas Olympia has put their project on hold because of the credit crunch. There were supposed to have broken ground in August, but didn't.

[jwaters943]

Triple A Baseball is headed to downtown Reno! A while back a group of investors bought the Tucson Sidewinders with the intention of bringing the team to the Reno/Sparks area. The new stadium will have seating for 10,000 as well as neighboring retail/restaurants. For those of you familiar w/ the area, it will be located downtown, a couple blocks East of Virginia Street, near the Truckee River. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for January.

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/baseball/Untitled-1.jpg

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/baseball/LDC07-00412%20(City%20of%20Reno%20Baseball%20Stadium-South_13_0001.jpg

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/baseball/LDC07-00412%20(City%20of%20Reno%20Baseball%20Stadium-South_12_0001.jpg

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/baseball/LDC07-00412%20(City%20of%20Reno%20Baseball%20Stadium-South_11_0001.jpg

http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/images/baseball/LDC07-00412%20(City%20of%20Reno%20Baseball%20Stadium-South_10_0001.jpg

http://www.sierranevadabaseball.com/uploadgraphics/Stadium_rendering_jpeg.jpg

For more info:

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770829036

http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/9458761.html

Sierra Nevada Baseball's website:

http://www.sierranevadabaseball.com/index.php

(Several of the pics and information contained within is outdated. Keep in mind, this is the same stadium that was originally intended to be built as part of the Legends shopping/entertainment complex near the Sparks Marina, but the deal fell through)

[jwaters943]

What lake is that those towers are next to?

It's just a small manmade lake in the South Meadows/Double Diamond area of Reno. The entire area is surrounded by wetlands.

These are the only pics I could find online, which admittedly aren't very good. I should just take a couple shots since I live in the area.

http://www.meekspartners.com/projpics/southmeadows_main.jpg

http://www.renocommercialproperties.com/images/renocommercialproperties600.jpg

http://netopiadesigncenter.com/hamptoninnreno/nss-folder/pictures/arial2.jpg

[ltsmotorsport]

Very cool news about the stadium and AAA baseball. Sucks for Tucson though.

[kenratboy]

The baseball stadium is cool - but there is no parking and mass transit is a joke in this town. No idea what they are trying to prove.

[hi123]

Are the "waterfront towers" dead? If not when will they begin construction?

[bigd]

It sounds like the waterfront towers most likely wont happen, although I think the baseball stadium will give them a better chance.