The Next King's Inn?
So let's talk about this hideous eyesore downtown. The garage operated as part of the Fitz Hotel and Casino, but when the Fitz closed, so did the garage. According to the article, the owners stopped making lease payments to the City in October of 2009, and it was those lease payments that the city levied $6 million in bonds against in 2007.
My first question would be why did the Fitz owners (Fernando Leal , Bob Cashell Jr??) stop making lease payments to the city in 2009? I realize that the Fitz closed, but just because it closed doesn't mean it suddenly is free from its obligation of paying lease payments does it? I know if West Street Market suddenly closed, the City would be on the hook for lease payments to the owners of the building for the remainder of the contract (10 years) whether the market is open or closed...so why is this any different? The City owns the land and the Fitz owns the garage. There are bonds the city is on the hook for that are tied to these lease payments.
My second question would be, why can't the City of Reno lease the garage to a different tenant? Or sell the land? Or perhaps open the garage as a second city garage? One of the Redevelopment Agency's priorities was to have a second public parking garage downtown, well here's one, and they already own it how is that for convenience?
I decided to walk over and check out the building in question. Holy digusting, Batman!
In the interim while this mess is sorted out, we have a parking garage downtown completely unused, and frankly, starting to look worse than the Kings Inn.
Graffiti embarrassingly lines the top of the structure like some sort of ghetto crown molding, and it's quickly becoming the ugliest building downtown. The building could use a good hose-down too.
I hope the the Fitz owners clean this building up. This isn't good for downtown. If I left my own property in this condition, I would be turned into code enforcement by my neighbors, violating Reno's public nuisance law. This structure DEFINITELY violates City of Reno's public nuisance law.
Comments:
Post your commentsPosted by: Thomas L. - 10/5/2010 10:37:37 AM
Hmm the City of Reno is not what it used to be. The employees of the City and it's elected officials all have their own agendas and no longer care for the welfare of local small businesses. This is a great example of the hypocrisy and corruption that is running rampant within our system. Like the author said if this building were owned by he or I we would have code enforcement all over us to get it taken care of and would probably be fined.
Posted by: Anakin-Marc - 10/5/2010 12:37:56 PM
A little birdie told me that the CitiCenter Station is supposed to be converted into a parking lot after bus service moves to 4th Street Station. Personally, I would rather see the old Fitz garage turned into a compliment of the city-owned Parking Gallery, and CitiCenter turned into either a public plaza, or utilize the structures as a compliment to the West Street Market. Unfortunately, seeing as how the city's idea for additional parking was put forth with the new parking lot at the former Reno Sparks Gospel Mission site (a small parking lot that would barely be suitable for one business), it wouldn't surprise me if the city decided to let the Fitz Garage turn into the next King's Inn, while at the same time demolishing a perfectly usable facility such as CitiCenter for use as another parking lot.
Posted by: Justin - 10/6/2010 8:45:38 AM
This truly is an eyesore. I see it every day from the dog walk area on the 6th floor of the Montage. I'm hoping something can be done. I don't know the name of the group/organization, but I'm wondering if the people who painted the water tanks around town with artistic murals could use another project. They just might be able to turn this ugly unused structure into something colorful and unique. I mean seriously, something has to be done. This is in the heart of downtown Reno next to the arch. Every single tourist sees this. As for the old Citicenter next to the Fitz garage, I agree that this needs to remain a public plaza/park-type setting. It makes no sense at all to use this for anything else IMO.
Posted by: remano - 10/8/2010 8:24:53 AM
There was an update on plans to reopen the garage on KOLO last night. http://www.kolotv.com/news/headlines/Vacant_Parking_Garage_Gets_New_Life__104539069.html
Posted by: Matt - 10/8/2010 12:56:54 PM
That KOLO article sounds very promising, let's hope they're right. It does indeed sound like Fernando has not given up on us yet!
Posted by: citizen - 10/8/2010 8:38:00 PM
could someone forward this to Mr. Cashill? (i believe he is the current mayor?) thank you