News 12-2-07 ReTRAC MASTER PLAN COMMENTS
Post your commentsPosted by: Ken - 12/2/2007 4:02:27 PM
Thanks for getting this out! I've been wondering when we were going to see the PDF. Yes to all of it.
Posted by: RenoSteve - 12/2/2007 4:56:14 PM
For those who lack the time (or willpower) to read the entire document, i'd recommend at least an initial focus on section 3 which identifies the FUTURE VISION of the authors for the ReTRAC corridor (and downtown). This section includes pages 27-62 and it really creates a COMPLETE VISION of how ReTRAC, finished correctly in an architectually pleasing style (not utilitarian concrete walls topped with chain link fencing), can become a vibrant corridor that essentially ties all of downtown together - from Wells on the east all the way to Idlewild Park on the west - with a new and attractive "Grand Boulevard" that will seed the new private development which will in turn spread North and South of the ReTRAC spine. It is a powerful - and I think correct - vision of what all the currently vacant and underutilized parcel adjacent to the trench can and should become.
Posted by: Tony Picotto - 12/2/2007 5:45:40 PM
That was a loooong read. Yes to all of it, but I don't understand the Fourth Street bridge-to-idlewild part of it, since there really isn't anything of interest on 4th street across from Idlewild.
Posted by: RenoSteve - 12/2/2007 6:53:50 PM
Tony, as I understood the commentary, there could well be a phase 1 (they feel almost mandatory) and phase 2 (less critical but still important) of the fourth street pedestrian bridge proposal. Phase 1 would be a bridge from 2nd/Dickerson over to Idlewild. This would complete the "loop" created by the riverwalk pathways and the "trenchwalk" paths - allowing walkers and bikers to use the new "loop". Phase 2 would be an extension of the pedestrian bridge from 2nd/Dickerson across the trench to Fourth Street (where the authors propose a large new retail area). This is less critical but still important to the authors vision of a whole lot of new residential (being created along 2nd street south of the trench) to a whole lot of new retail (being created along fourth street north of the trench). Currently there is only one primary entrance to the southern area - turning west at Keystone onto 2nd. Other than that access point, the region is virtually walled off to the south by the river and to the north by the train tracks/trench. On the west end, after 2nd street transitions to Dickerson, the road currently simply dead-ends at the little-known Oxbow Nature Study Area along the river. Right now, this entire area is sort of a mixed up mess of old industrial along the tracks (on RR parcels along Dickerson and former old RR parcels - many of which were cleared for the shoofly tracks - along 2nd that just transitioned to city ownership) along with the sprawling old Chism trailer park to the north and south of 2nd (which they would reportedly like to sell) as well as a few newer condos, a new development near the end of Dickerson (named "Upstream" that is currently completing its models) along with two or three other significant riverfront property owners that have rezoned to multi-family but not yet started any projects. IF, the police station is relocated as the authors suggest, and the footbridge is built to connect it to Idlewild (and perhaps eventually to new retail to the north), THEN I think this whole area may become a new "hot spot" for downtown redevelopment and that it will look a heck of a lot different in a decade or so. Think about it. It "could" become a PRIME residential redevelopment area connected to both the river, Idlewild Park and "via the trench boulevard," the heart of the downtown entertainment district would be only a few minute walk away.
Posted by: Erik Flippo - 12/2/2007 8:01:13 PM
I hope the draft report will be revised to include the impact of the ballpark project on the ReTRAC corridor. As it stands now, this "vision for the potential future" of the area is compromised by the omission.
Posted by: Mike Van H - 12/2/2007 8:16:06 PM
Hi Erik, on page 154 you'll find a note in bold midway down the stage mentioning the baseball stadium, and how it will be well-complemented by the entertainment spine concept. There's also a note on page 165 stating the graphics were developed prior to the approval of the baseball stadium. Also you'll find notes at the top of pages 161-169, So I'm sure before the final plan is approved, the baseball stadium will be incorporated into it on a deeper level.
Posted by: Doofus - 12/3/2007 6:34:47 PM
I'm still trying to digest it all - huge, well reasoned analysis. W 2nd /Dickerson is an area that I find fascinating. High and low end condos, motorcyle parts stores, billiards supply, Red Cross wharehouse (til the roof caved in, literally), water garden retail store, Ox Bow, Steve's Bathhouse, wedding event locations, trailer parks. If you want to get it, buy it, or cure it, it is in this little slice of RNO. The irony is that this area touted for its high developement potential under the RETRAC study was effectively killed by RETRAC eliminating the W 2nd Street intersection to 4th, isolating this whole district.