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Construction Activity on Sierra Street

I spotted some activity in the buildings across the street from the Montage on Sierra Street. I called L3 Development who confirmed they are prepping the Old Reno Casino and old Golden Phoenix Casino spaces to be leased as space. A high demand for leasing the space prompted the clean-up and renovation. I was offered a tour so expect photos soon!

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Posted by: Wiley_n_reno - 3/26/2010 11:07:44 AM
This is good news! That storefront is a true eyesore! Wonder if they can fix up the ugly, white painted, and abandoned Masons Building too? It's the oldest standing structure in downtown (1870).

Posted by: Marc T. - 3/26/2010 2:29:22 PM
+1 to refurbing the old white place! I wondered about the big hole punched in the front, 2nd story. Is that part of work being done? I see pigeons going in and out, think how freakin' nasty it must be in there
Posted by: RenoSteve - 3/26/2010 4:43:55 PM
Mark T, the big hole on the second floor has been there for years. It used to anchor a sky bridge that went over Sierra St and connected that ("Vino") building to the old Golden Phoenix (now Montage). I think that Fernando Leal owns the Vino Building (with the hole), the closed down Golden Phoenix Annex (just east of Vino across the alley and facing Virginia Street, as well as all the buildings facing the train trench (Old White Masonic, Old Reno Casino and Fitzgeralds). If Leal is beginning to spruce up Vino, Golden Phoenix annex AND Old Reno Casino, that is an excellent start to perhaps bringing that entire closed up bunch of real estate back to life. It will be interesting to see the pics that Mike takes and what he finds out about Fernando's plans.

Posted by: remano - 3/26/2010 6:08:31 PM
Steve, he's asking about the old white building, which I take to be the Masonic temple. The Vino building isn't white. There is a large hole in the second story of the Masonic building overlooking the train trench plaza that looks like a large broken out window, not large enough for a man to walk through but plenty big for pigeons. I hope they're working on something, but there's been a green dumpster parked in front of the Vino building for weeks and I haven't seen much activity.

Posted by: RenoSteve - 3/26/2010 6:55:59 PM
Oops, my bad. The "hole" in the Vino bldg is much bigger (I'm not sure what "hole" he was speaking of in the old Masonic) and when Mike referenced a building facing Sierra I totally zoned out on the "White" building reference. Regardless, if Leal is beginning to do something with ANY of those 5 buildings (and particularly if he is doing something with THREE of them) it is a VERY BIG DEAL.

Posted by: MattO - 3/26/2010 7:58:27 PM
Does this mean we may see something happening to the Fitz? Will Fernando really come through? I SURE HOPE!!! If they are working on those buildings, they got to have something up their sleeve for the Fitz

Posted by: doofus - 3/26/2010 10:14:06 PM
Maybe a %.98 store to compete with our new jewel on 2nd Street? The leasing market downtown is on FUEGO! Not. I'd love nothing more that to believe in any feint and swoon Fernando has in his book of tricks, but I just can't anymore.

Posted by: Downtown Makeover Dude - 3/27/2010 12:04:25 PM
Fernando or L3 Development has no plans for the Fitz in the short term. He hasn't lied to me, ever... which is more than I can say for other developers in town. Why would he spend money (his own money, not STAR Bonds) to fix up the places if there wasn't interest? That would seem counterproductive in a market like this.

Posted by: Matt - 3/27/2010 3:23:34 PM
Mike, when are you going on the tour and taking pics? Im really interested as to what is going on

Posted by: wer - 3/30/2010 8:22:01 AM
A "virtual reality" navigable 360° panorama tour inside the white old Masonic/Reno Mercantile building is online at the ALL AROUND NEVADA website: http://www.allaroundnevada.com/?p=213.