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Various Tidbits
Woolworths Building - According to Northern Nevada Business Weekly, the Woolworths Building downtown will be getting a serious makeover. Hey, that's my favorite word! The first floor will be renovated into restaurant/retail space with glass fronts, and floors 2 through 7 will be converted to office space. Remodeling the first floor of the structure —stripping the structure to its concrete and steel columns and steel floors — is scheduled to begin in January.
RSCVA - The RSCVA has landed 3 new conventions for the area.
University Master Plan - Two articles written for and against land rezoning in the are south of the University of Nevada Reno. Reno News and Review dude Dennis Myers doesn't paint a pretty picture in this article, while Reno Passport has a more positive view. What are your thoughts on the rezoning?
City of Reno Bond Announcement - The City of Reno put out a press release serving as a reminder about the Recovery Zone Facility Bonds, and possible projects it can be used for. They hope to have a prioritized list by the December 16 City Council Meeting. What would you like to see done?
Parking Debate - An interesting parking debate is happening in Santa Monica. Man, don't get me started on Santa Monica. It's got to be one of the most regulated cities in America. They do some odd things there. The rent control system is unreal, they are VERY serious about street sweeping (you better not be parked at the wrong place at the wrong time or you are towed immediately) and now they are engaging in a bold new parking experiment. Check this out. What are your thoughts? Something for Reno to look at or don't go there?
Comments:
Post your commentsPosted by: RenoSteve - 10/20/2009 9:26:35 AM
In my opinion, redevelopment of not only the blocks between 9th and I-80, but also of the blocks to the north of 5th St south of I-80 are crucial to redefining downtown. The area to the north is blighted and the area to the south is largely a disaster. Ownership has been consolidating for years waiting for the right redevelopment spark and it is time for the Universtiy and the City to help light the fuse.
Posted by: RenoSteve - 10/20/2009 9:42:34 AM
I don't think Reno parking is similar to Santa Monica, because most of the parking is provided by privately owned casino garages. But if one accepts this "rule" from the article - "Ideally, Shoup contends, a city would charge enough so that 85% of all parking spaces were occupied at any one time. If too many spaces are vacant, the price is too high. If no spaces are available, the price is too low." - then pricing would depend upon the relative occupancy of various types of city parking. Changes in rates on steet meters vs the "theater" garage might vary considerably according to time of day and location - which would of course be possible in the garage pricing, but not at the meters unless they were replaced by sophisticated new electonic instuments that could accomodate various rates based on time of day, etc. In total, I don't know whether rates and city revenues would go up or down right now.
Posted by: RenoSteve - 10/20/2009 9:47:22 AM
Great news on Woolworths. Let's hope the JC Penney and Masonic foks follow suit :-)
Posted by: RenoSteve - 10/21/2009 6:44:18 AM
After reading the following in the article about Woolworths - "Remodeling the first floor of the structure —stripping the structure to its concrete and steel columns and steel floors — is scheduled to begin in January." - I was pleasantly surprised yesterday afternoon to see two high lift vehicles with workers already at work beginning to strip the exterior facade off the building. January sounded good but October is an even better start time in my book :-)
Posted by: NorNev - 10/21/2009 9:37:48 PM
I can't believe people don't think the university shouldn't have a vested interest in what happens to that land. I also can't believe that the university would sponsor gaming in that area. If anything, they want a buffer between our beautiful campus and the downtown. Development of this area should be a priority for the university and the city council.
Posted by: Kenny - 10/22/2009 3:45:32 PM
its better than the four block stretch of lawn they originally intended. Until the University is less commuter oriented, you are better off leaving it alone