A friend of mine told me this morning that while shopping at Wal Mart, he espied Governor Jim Gibbons pushing a shopping cart containing mops and other cleaning materials. The Gov was closely followed by our former-mayor's wife, Leslie. (Leslie is kind of like Sher or Conan: readily identifiable by one name.)
Jim must have read the new and dismal polls in this mornings RGJ. I think he's planning on getting his deposit back.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
City Pride
Appeared in Reno Gazette Journal August, 2008
A few weeks ago, I crossed the bridge leading from the River plaza on First Street (after cautioning my six-year-old son to check for trolls, underneath. We read The Billy Goats Gruff) into Wingfield Park. A genial crowd of hundreds and hundreds of people lolled on the grass, awaiting the final concert of Artown. Kayakers bobbed and weaved through the newly-created Kayak Park. Children and parents and young couples gamboled in the River or sat on the shore. Last Summer, some friends were in town from Connecticut. "What would you like to do?" I asked them. "Let's go swimming in the river." one of them suggested. "Well..., OK," I ventured. I've lived in Reno since 1951 and had never been swimming in the River--at least, downtown. There's a first time for everything.
I unabashedly tingled with pride, crossing that flower-bedecked bridge into the park--pride with what our Downtown has become, or, more to the point, is becoming. The advent and competition of Indian gaming in California pushed several of the marginal hotel/casinos into the residential condominium business, and downtown Reno, for the first time in its history I can recall, is developing a strong residential component--not only the outdated hotels, but new residential construction, as well.
Increased numbers of residents, Downtown, create a demand for grocery and drug stores, clothing stores, restaurants, varied boutiques and shops of all kinds–including the City-sponsored retail on West Street. This not only benefits the Downtown residents, but creates points of interest for our tourists, as well, who, as everyone knows, like to hang out where the locals hang out. This is happening, but is hasn't happened, yet. Long-time local Mark Curtis, Jr., observed years ago that there was no place in our Downtown to buy a necktie. Still isn't, that I know of–unless it’s the kind of tie with a pair of dice or a fluorescent picture of Elvis on it.
Years ago, when the River movie complex was in the planning stages. I predicted its failure (who would ever go downtown to watch a movie?). I was wrong. Still, we have some braying dinosaurs in our City core, on or near First and Sierra Streets: the old Penny's and Woolworth buildings and the former (now old and decrepit-looking) Gold Dust Hotel. The aging Onslow Hotel has seen its day, as well. Where's the old Mapes demolition crew, now that we need them?
Hats off to Chairman of the Board, (Mayor) Bob Cashell and our City council. May all of them who are running for re-election be re-elected. But as we watch them taking the bows for our Downtown progress, let’s not forget the one who’s there where the rubber meets the road: CEO (and City Manager) Charles McNeely. He’s the guy who makes it actually happen.
Some years ago, if I were discussing some facet of our downtown with a Reno resident, I was apt to hear them say, “You know? I just don’t ever go downtown.” I don’t hear that much, anymore.
John Metzker is a commercial real estate consultant.
Appeared in Reno Gazette Journal August, 2008
A few weeks ago, I crossed the bridge leading from the River plaza on First Street (after cautioning my six-year-old son to check for trolls, underneath. We read The Billy Goats Gruff) into Wingfield Park. A genial crowd of hundreds and hundreds of people lolled on the grass, awaiting the final concert of Artown. Kayakers bobbed and weaved through the newly-created Kayak Park. Children and parents and young couples gamboled in the River or sat on the shore. Last Summer, some friends were in town from Connecticut. "What would you like to do?" I asked them. "Let's go swimming in the river." one of them suggested. "Well..., OK," I ventured. I've lived in Reno since 1951 and had never been swimming in the River--at least, downtown. There's a first time for everything.
I unabashedly tingled with pride, crossing that flower-bedecked bridge into the park--pride with what our Downtown has become, or, more to the point, is becoming. The advent and competition of Indian gaming in California pushed several of the marginal hotel/casinos into the residential condominium business, and downtown Reno, for the first time in its history I can recall, is developing a strong residential component--not only the outdated hotels, but new residential construction, as well.
Increased numbers of residents, Downtown, create a demand for grocery and drug stores, clothing stores, restaurants, varied boutiques and shops of all kinds–including the City-sponsored retail on West Street. This not only benefits the Downtown residents, but creates points of interest for our tourists, as well, who, as everyone knows, like to hang out where the locals hang out. This is happening, but is hasn't happened, yet. Long-time local Mark Curtis, Jr., observed years ago that there was no place in our Downtown to buy a necktie. Still isn't, that I know of–unless it’s the kind of tie with a pair of dice or a fluorescent picture of Elvis on it.
Years ago, when the River movie complex was in the planning stages. I predicted its failure (who would ever go downtown to watch a movie?). I was wrong. Still, we have some braying dinosaurs in our City core, on or near First and Sierra Streets: the old Penny's and Woolworth buildings and the former (now old and decrepit-looking) Gold Dust Hotel. The aging Onslow Hotel has seen its day, as well. Where's the old Mapes demolition crew, now that we need them?
Hats off to Chairman of the Board, (Mayor) Bob Cashell and our City council. May all of them who are running for re-election be re-elected. But as we watch them taking the bows for our Downtown progress, let’s not forget the one who’s there where the rubber meets the road: CEO (and City Manager) Charles McNeely. He’s the guy who makes it actually happen.
Some years ago, if I were discussing some facet of our downtown with a Reno resident, I was apt to hear them say, “You know? I just don’t ever go downtown.” I don’t hear that much, anymore.
John Metzker is a commercial real estate consultant.
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