Downtown Reno

Can you say 'controversy'? That's exactly what this project was. When the City of Reno demolished the Mapes it ticked off quite a few people no doubt. However no developer wanted to take the project of remodeling it on, and at the time it didn't seem viable to convert it to condos (if only it could have held on for five more years)

The City decided that the space to replace the Mapes should be a public plaza of some kind, and after years of design planning, it happened. We now have a permanent ice rink downtown. From the looks of it, the project is only half-done, and I am assuming will be completed this summer. The cool canopy has yet to be built (the rendered picture above shows the latest design concept for this), as well as a retail/restaurant building on the East side of the property.

10/20/2007 - 10 NORTH VIRGINIA UPDATE - Here is the first look for most of the public on the new proposed design for 10 North Virginia, mainly concentrating on the retail aspect (I beleive the canopy will be the last one proposed to the council). What do you think? Keep in mind I will delete any inflammatory comments, let's keep it constructive and professional on here, lol.
I am still adamently against filling in the Virginia St. portion of the property with buildings. From the concept, we lose the amphitheater function entirely without the grassy hills on that side. So far this is still just being referred to as an option. The building itself is modern, although a bit more square than the previous building. The graceful U-shape from the previous building is gone, but I still like the design. The design is by the same architect who designed the canopy, Sheehan Van Woert Bigotti. Click the thumbs below to see.

3/5/07 - UPDATED PICS - NOW ON TOP 3 LIST OF CITY COUNCIL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS - Click above for some updated pics from the document both the City Council and Redevelopment Agency will jointly discuss March 7. Here is the meeting info: Joint City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting - March 7, 2007 1:30 PM
Reno City Hall Chamber, One East First Street, Reno, Nevada
KEY ITEMS: B.1 Staff Report: Presentation of Priority Redevelopment Projects and potential direction to staff.
B.2 Staff Report: Discussion and Potential Direction to Staff Regarding the Updated Cost Estimate
for the 10 N. Virginia Street Plaza Canopy.

10/25/06 - THE DRAMA CONTINUES, CANOPY DECISION POSTPONED - Well, no progress in store for the 10 North Plaza Canopy. I think the Train Trench Cover will be built before this thing. Both the rink cover and REA building deal were carried over to the first week in December after a lot of contentious bickering about costs on both projects.  The council is VERY unhappy over the huge cost escalations on the entire 10 North deal.  So, they are going to have two members Gustin and Aiazzi conduct meetings with both parties in coming weeks and hammer away on the details before bringing both issues back to the full council. In the Council's defense, The REA group is really bad at continually going back for more concessions and creating more escape loopholes, and the entire council is livid. We all just want a canopy! Maybe it's time other people enter the bidding process....

- 6/29/06 - COUNCIL QUESTIONS CANOPY FOR ICE RINK - As a designer, I realize that designs are apt to change as time goes on; however, questioning building the very design element that WILL PUT THE ICE RINK ON THE MAP AS A LANDMARK is basically thumbing your nose at the citizens who were behind the project this whole time, like myself. Read the Article here.