News Bites and Rumors

Sticks Expanding Again, Post Office Project on Track

Sticks in Midtown is expanding again, which is great news. News 2 reports that the expansion includes two retail shops and a 2,800 s.f. restaurant, all facing Virginia Street. Nice! You can bet I'll be there taking progress shots. They are hoping to deliver three buildings by the end of the year. Speaking of Bernie Carter, work on the former U.S. post office downtown is still ongoing. I walked by just yesterday and saw some serious renovation happening inside.

City Council Considering Eliminating Gaming

The RGJ is reporting that the city council is considering removing hotel/gaming as a use in a portion of downtown Reno to expand, connect to the University. This is a big deal, and something I'm a proponent of. This is basically 'north downtown' and includes the Circus Circus property, though no existing businesses would be affected. It would however make it easy to convert certain hotel towers to student housing. It wouldn't literally give the land to the University of Nevada Reno, but it would encourage University-centric development in this area rather than entertainment/tourist-oriented development as currently mandated in the Downtown Regional Plan. This would be a crucial step in creating a 'University Village', a supportive network of services catering to the 20,000 students plus faculty in the area. Some of the comments on RGJ's Facebook Post about this are hilarious. I don't get what the big deal is. What are the chances a new hotel/casino will be built in this section of downtown? Not likely.

Rumors Marriott Is Back on Track

Hearing rumors that because of a financing deal with their 300 East Second Street tower, Basin Street is now poised to begin construction on that extended-stay non-gaming Marriott across the street from the Reno Aces Ballpark. Below is an early rendering...they design may have changed since.

Koch Industries

I hear they are hunting for a downtown office.

The Bridge

The Bridge, a new pub style venue, will be opening up at 425 South Virginia Street, in the infamous space that has was home to many restaurants, including Adele's, Amendment 21, a fish place, a steakhouse, and Scampi.

Antonio's

The fish taco place on Sierra and First closed a while back, and Antonio's is taking its place, described as a Mexican grill.

Gamen Ramen

Z-Pie closed in West Street Market on West Street between 2nd and 1st, however coming soon in its place will be a ramen restaurant from Bowl-creator Larry Dunning.