Quite a few interesting tidbits for tomorrow's council meeting. Here's a link to the agenda.
First the city council says 'not-so-fast' to medical marijuana dispensaries by probably putting the brakes on dispensary applications until the State decides how its going to administer the program. The State has until 2014 to finalize the rules and regulations, however from what I hear peeps are already chomping at the bit to get in line for the 10 dispensaries allowed in Washoe County (possibly two in Reno.) So the City Council will adopt a resolution to put a stay/moratorium on applications until the state figures out what its doing.
Also interesting in tomorrow's meeting, Primm Gaming (the former Golden Phoenix Casino and Flamingo Hilton prior to that) is requesting for a special use permit to
re-establish a non-conforming gaming use without hotel rooms. The ±8,146 square foot site is located at 237 and 241 North Virginia Street in the MU/DRRC/ENT
(Mixed Use/Downtown Reno Regional Center/Entertainment District) zone. So Apparently what is happening here is the casino-portion port ion of the Golden Phoenix may re-open as a casino again, without the hotel rooms (because the hotel rooms were converted into the Montage condo tower.) This could be very exciting news for the downtown strip particularly when neighboring Whitney Peak Hotel is in full swing with its renovations as well. Opening up these two properties could substantially change the dynamics of our primary tourism corridor.
Also in tomorrow's meeting, the council will approve several vendors for the Virginia Street Bridge Replacement Project, and an interlocal agreement with Truckee River Flood Management Authority to the tune of $7,250,000. It looks like Qwest Communications will handle the adjustment of utilities for the construction project, some kind of manhole cover agreement with NV Energy, and more utility adjustments with Plumas Sierra Telecommunications. Any forward progress with this bridge replacement project is good news, considering how long it has taken to get to this point.
In other minor construction news downtown, the Community Assistance Center will probably get a security upgrade, the Bowling Stadium will have its lower two roof rings replaced by D & D Roofing (if approved), and a $300,000+ permit was pulled for the downtown Post Office project.
And lastly, an interesting discussion might go down with the staff item below. I'm not sure what projects would qualify for this but it might mean significant improvements to either streets or our public transportation system:
Staff Report (For Possible Action): Discussion, approval and potential direction to staff regarding the City of Reno’s selection and prioritization of eligible projects for the FY 13/14 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).