Downtown Walk Construction Update

Great pictures as usual. The baseball stadium is really starting to look like a stadium. Exciting. Too bad about Grants Landing. That almost seemed like a no-brainer project.

Merry christmas everybody.

What is the current asking price (after the bank-owner's discounts) for the penthouses at Montage? Anybody have info? Thank you.

Reno city council and planning commission needs to spend city money in a calculated and responsible manner directed towards development in areas that will bring money and people to the city. Reno needs to immediately work towards capitalizing on what will bring out the best in the city, bring revenue and people to the area. First and foremost, Reno needs to become a Mecca for New upscale bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Reno needs to find developers to build upscale buildings, businesses and improve existing buildings in the downtown area within the next 2-4 years. Reno needs to keep its downtown area to include the area from UNR to the Reno/Sparks convention center looking fresh and exciting for visitors to keep coming and spending money. It's a good idea to be somewhat similar to Las Vegas in the development of new casinos/re-development of existing casinos however with additional focus placed on making the area a more family friendly adventure place. Downtown roads still look run down overall, uneven pavement at stop lights, always dirty with debris and need weekly special attention to keep them looking good. The city needs to act immediately to ensure Downtown buildings that are old or run down improve with a new facade or they need to be torn down within the next 2-4 years. Reno needs ground lights on all downtown cross walks immediately to improve traffic safety and to light up the area. Reno needs place special focus on becoming a mini silicon valley to attract more high paying jobs to the area. Long term plans for the city of Reno should include a high speed rail from Reno to Carson City and to the Lake Tahoe region to bring people and revenue to the city. These are just a few ideas that will help to re-invigorate the city of Reno and these recommendations need to be seriously considered if Reno is to remain competitive and reach its potential.

"First and foremost, Reno needs to become a Mecca for New upscale bars, nightclubs and restaurants." Really? More twenty-somethings buying drinks at D.J. dance clubs? That just brings suburban local workers downtown to buy some chicken wings and beers. It adds very little to the economy of the city. The city needs visitors coming in from other areas and spending money here. If I can do all of the things Reno has to offer in San Francisco, San Jose or in Los Angeles, why would I drive to Reno for more of the same? Special activity events based around activities not available elsewhere is the marketing edge the Indian casino areas would not be able to match. That means stressing the mountains, lakes and streams and related special interest activities.

Irv - I agree that Reno needs to get its visitor count up and that special events are a big part of this, but the days of Reno depending solely on tourism are quickly coming to an end. Not just upscale eateries and nightlife venues but eateries and nightlife venues targeting all income ranges are indeed an important part of downtown - which must also include residences targeted at a healthy mix of income levels, as well as mundane and specialty retail and services. There's no reason Reno should not be trying to get more locals - even the suburban local workers you refer to - downtown. Downtown needs to feel safe, comfortable, and open every day of the year - not just on those days when there is a special event. Not to mention an intended side effect of retaining a share of the locals who leave Reno for other towns that do a better job taking care of their downtowns and their locals. There is no "one" thing that's gonna fix Reno. It's a million little things.