Downtown is on everyone’s minds. We have received hundreds of comments about Downtown via the ReImagine Reno online survey, including the one we’ve chosen for the title of this post. Many comments focus on issues: homelessness, the “wrong” type of tourists, weekly motels, crime, run-down casinos, too many liquors stores and not enough grocery/retail, vacant land and blighted buildings… a phrase repeated over and over is “clean up Downtown.” Many comments also focus on opportunities: the Truckee River and the Riverwalk, connectivity to the University, making Virginia Street a pedestrian promenade closed to cars, Start-up Row, high-rise housing, non-gaming hotels… a phrase repeated over and over is “vibrant Downtown.” What does your version of a cleaned-up, vibrant Downtown look like? Read some ideas below and attend the Downtown Focus group this Thursday, 9/17 to share yours! RSVP and get all the event details here.

“I would really like to see downtown Reno blocked off to motor traffic. We could make downtown beautiful and filled with little shops and boutiques and no traffic/exhaust/noise. We could develop lovely shaded sitting areas with trees and flowers for people to relax and enjoy great food where now there is asphalt streets. We could install beautiful solar lights for a magical experience in the evenings. It would take our town to a new level, encourage tourists and very likely relegate the homeless problem to a different area where their needs could be met more appropriately. Policemen on bicycles would lend a sense of safety without being obtrusive. It would also facilitate all the events we have downtown now that the street has to be blocked off for—why not make it permanent?” – Submitted on 8/4

“I would like to see a safer more vibrant downtown with high rises, shopping, and more elaborate Vegas like casinos that would draw a better crowd.” – Submitted on 8/6

“I’d like to be able to take a walk downtown in 20 years and see a community of fit and healthy individuals.” – Submitted on 8/16

“With Tesla and growth, you have people that want to live in a downtown area of a city.  You already know people are coming, so this is more than “if you build it they will come” for Downtown housing. Housing downtown will create the services/shopping/dining that most cities have and tourists like to see. Plus it creates foot traffic. The casino district/arch district deserves this attention to clean it up.  Would love to see Virginia Street closed with pleasant walkways like you see in other cities.” – Submitted on 8/18

“Reno should embrace its roots in gaming, while exploiting its incredible outdoor opportunities. Reno has so much to offer, yet seems to retain a low self esteem view with outsiders. Clean up the downtown area image, and Reno becomes the gem that it really is.” – Submitted on 8/20

“I want Reno to be Reno. More commercial development along the river balanced with parks and paths and natural landscape. I want something BOLD and innovative in terms of bicycle/pedestrian transportation” – Submitted on 8/20