If you haven’t been paying close attention, you may have missed the activity around the Fitz recently. All the old slots and gaming equipment have been presumably sold off, and trucked off on Friday. The agreement to sell the ground lease on the Fitz parking garage is back up for consideration this Wednesday by the Redevelopment Commission (staff report HERE) . Downtown Makeover and its Facebook doppelganger page have some juicy details, like no condos and no casino element.. I’m out and about enough to run into Fernando’s license plate in unexpected locations and have done some "asking’". You also overhear a lot waiting in line at Reno Permit Department.
So what’s in store for the Fitz? I have only heard bits and pieces, but am in AWE of what Nando is envisioning from what I’ve gleaned. "World’s Greatest". "West Coast’s Only". Things for both the Redneck and Riesling sets, for locals and tourists, visitors and local artists and even the local kids. And not a slot machine in sight anywhere.
The amazing thing is that there are probably a couple hundred local folks that are knowledgeable about at least some aspects of the new Fitz, and they have held their silence. What Nando is going to build is totally under the radar.
So don’t give up on the resilience and potential of downtown Reno just yet. Siena is scheduled to reopen in February, and the Fitz as soon as construction can be completed. We’re not dead yet!
Matt
Im sorry to say that Nando is going nowhere, he came here because he saw potential in Reno. It wasn’t even his idea to move here in the first place, once he did come here he thought it was a dump much like most of America thinks of it but once he talked with a friend of his from San Francisco did he decide to stay, I know this because I talked with people at The Montage before it was sold. Don’t talk down bout Nando, he is one of the few developers willing to do anything in Reno right now, cheer him on and forget about whatever past he had and nobody knows him like Downtown Makeover Dude I don’t think so don’t talk down about that, the Dude is smart and wouldn’t associate with someone who is not. Believe it.
oldjohnny
Matt, I’m sorry you think the rest of America thinks Reno is a dump and only the god Nando can rescue it from the waste, but you really should look at the area as a whole. Just because a speculator comes to town, leverages himself into some property, and begins a willy nilly building spree doesn’t mean his ideas are viable, nor are they necessarily good for the town. The Montage wasn’t a good idea, and it is not ancient history, it is recent, and it is the only thing he has done in town. The old Prima Donna next to Fitz is still closed up, although he cleaned up the front of the place to make it look like he cares, assuming for this next go round to get your support, it is unused. Lord knows what disaster he is scheming on for the Fitz. A plan should be made for the area, and developers should be restrained to the plan. Nando is not here to make the city a neato place. He is here to make money, and you all will let him because no one else is available. Darn shame. Come on! Where else can you drive down the street and see a goofy clown and Vegas style old school blinking signage, all with a small town atmosphere? Reno has flair, and it’s very cool in ‘s own way.As for the Dude, I already mentioned I respect his work. My opinion is that while I have that respect, he is either very naive about Nando, or possibly on his payroll.
GreenNV
Item J-12 on the City Council agenda had nothing to do with the Fitz in the end. Sorry for the red herring. The sale of the ground rights on the Fitz garage got continued.
I drove by today, and there were dumpsters on Commercial Row being filled up. The floors were being MEGA sanded and levelled. What ever Fernando has planned for the Fitz, he is moving forward with it. I wish I could track the permit history and tell you more, but Reno’s Virtual Permit Place system really sucks (or no permits have been pulled yet).
Matt
well oldjohnny that is your opinion and I respect that but I completely disagree with you on The Montage and Nando, you’re mistaken and I can’t understand why you would talk down about him when you don’t even know him or anything about him. It’s just sad, Im not saying Nando is a god, Im just saying he actually gives a damn. Would you care to name anybody else who cares about trying to gentrify the Downtown core?
oldjohnny
Matt, Happy Holidays to you. I enjoy a spirited debate. You think Nando is great, I think he is a putz. You do not seem to have many facts behind your opinion. You disagree with me on the Montage? Uh, Nando stiffed the mortgage company and gave it back to them. How is that not failure? In a capitalist society, it’s what we call a bad idea. I am merely calling him what he is. A speculator. And a bad one. Maybe he’s a nice guy, or more likely a great sales man. As far as his top secret “vision” for Reno, I am nauseated at the thought. Maybe I will be wrong. I bet not. And no Matt, no one else is speculating on downtown right now, it’s a recession.
Wait for it
What do you have Matt ? Let us in on the insight.
200 Basis Points
Fernando Leal developed the Montage because he cares about Reno?
Fernando Leal is doing whatever he is doing with the Fitz because he cares about Reno?
Oh Please.
Leal developed the Montage and is doing the Fitz because he wants to make money. He could give a flying fish about Reno. He would have done these projects in Dry Gulch North Dakota if he thought he could have made more money than in Reno.
This is no citicism of Leal’s pursuit of profits. Good for him. (Although so far his track record is very poor). But to suggest he is doing these things because he loves Reno is nonsense. It is emotional drivel. Spare us.
Sully
Matt asks – Would you care to name anybody else who cares about trying to gentrify the Downtown core?
Therein lies the heart of the problem. From the Reno city council to the planning commission. No one cares what is done, just do it. Bring in more taxes, just do it. Build condos no one will buy, just do it.
It’s time to get some vision in place. The first step should be in replacing the planning commission with some actual planners! 🙂
Wayne
I agree with Old Johnny, here, and on the Downtown Reno site.
We went to Reno for over 20 years until the Fitz closed. And I figured then the Montage would be a failure.
Gentrifying downtown Reno- to make it like everyplace else – is not why I have always loved Reno. How many others are there that agree?
I see failure if Gentrification is the goal, just like there has been.
Irv
A post on another blogsite suggests that one of the “new Fitz” amenities will be a rock climbing wall built on the outside of the hotel, from the ground floor up to the top level. Personally, I don’t see how that adds anything to the property other than higher liability insurance premiums.
At least an open hotel is better for the Virginia Street core than a closed hotel at that location.
Martin
A rock climbing wall?
Oh man, I really hope that is just a wild rumor with no basis at all. If a rock climbing wall is the “great secret” that is going to transform downtown Reno, what a farce this whole new Fitz thing is going to be.
For the sake of downtown Reno and the reputation of the Dude, I really hope this is just a groundless rumor and the reality will prove to be something far more substantial.
A rock climbing wall?
oldjohnny
Ah, yes, a rock climbing wall! That’s gonna save Reno!!! Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before???!!! We can attract kids to downtown! They can learn how to drink, smoke, sneak into casinos and learn whatever else they can glean from the 4th street crowd down there! What a great idea! NOT. Downtown is an adult area. Nando, figure out where you are. It isn’t Portland, it isn’t the Bay Area, and definately not Chicago, it’s Reno, Nevada. Build to compliment the area, don’t try to make it something it isn’t or ever will be.
Raymond
We all know the Dude is way too gullible whenever he is in the presence of a developer and has a case of Hero Worship for Leal. But I don’t believe that even the Dude would would get sweaty palms over a rock climbing wall.
Hopefully this is just another groundless internet rumor.
Cal
I don’t know. A rock climbing wall has a sort of carnival aspect to it. Most of downtown Reno already has a carnival aspect to it, or at least the look like the carnival just left town.
It might fit in. Give the hoodlums something else to do at 3:00 am besides hang out at the Circus.
Robert
The Reno Redevelopment Agency will shut down next year. It is funded by taxes that the casinos pay and next year there will not be enought tax revenue to fund the Agency. The valuation of the casinos continues to be in freefall and thus their tax obligations continue to nosedive.
The fine collection of pawn shops, bars, tee shirt stores, liquor stores, and struggling casinos that comprise the Downtown Experience will have to carry on. No doubt the new 5 Star resort at the shuttered up Siena and Leal’s Dream will turn downtown around. Probably by no later than July 1, 2011, at the latest.
There has never been a better time to buy a Belvedere condo.
TMZ
http://www.rgj.com/article/20101223/NEWS/12230330
I’m not sure how anyone can say with a straight face gaming should be what downtown or Reno as a whole should pursue when 20 downtown casinos have closed and their combined revenue have dropped by over 70%.
A rock wall? I did a little Googling, the world’s tallest outdoor wall is in Netherlands and is 121 feet tall. Impressive how many travel magazines have written about it, yet it seems to be in the middle of nowhere in sub-freezing temperatures but it seems to draw thousands. I’m neutral on the rumor until I hear more. If it goes all the way up to the top of the building, it could be a real draw with outdoor enthusiasts and climbers.
Horatio
Mike, What happened to the comment from doofus?
A little too close to the truth?
Tell us about the third floor?
Nikki Hebert
A post on another blogsite suggests that one of the “new Fitz” amenities will be a rock climbing wall built on the outside of the hotel, from the ground floor up to the top level. Personally, I don’t see how that adds anything to the property other than higher liability insurance premiums. At least an open hotel is better for the Virginia Street core than a closed hotel at that location.
GreenNV
Yeah, doofus let slip a little more information than she wanted to and asked to have the comment removed. But her link to the world’s tallest climbing wall was rad! http://izismile.com/2010/10/22/worlds_highest_climbing_wall_25_pics.html Note that the aerial pictures were shot from a kite! If the Fitzwall runs the entire height of the building, it will be 50% taller than this existing record holder.
Horatio
So I guess Nikki and Irv are one and the same, and it appears there is an effort to get the word out about the climbing wall. That’s really it? The big secret is a climbing wall?
MikeZ
Looks like doofus and Mike/GreenNV are also one in the same.
Now I wonder just how much deception is going on here … ?
GreenNV
Jeez, Zman, chill. I get an email notification when anyone comments on the blog, and I reposted the link from doofus because I thought the images were pretty cool. Didn’t you think so? No second gunman on the grassy knoll.
As far as Mike/GreenNV goes, everyone knows we are one in the same. I try to post as “Mike” on my posts when doing an official update or commentary. GreenNV (my screen name from long before I became associated with RRB) is for more informal comments and asides and when I comment on Guy’s posts. No secrets here.
Irv
Horatio — I don’t know who Nikki is, but she/he isn’t me.
Personally, I hope the Fitz succeeds however it is reopened.
Carol
The world’s tallest climbing wall?
How underwhelming.
But I agree that even a Denny’s restaurant open on the location would be better than another shuttered up hotel.
MikeZ
and I reposted the link from doofus because I thought the images were pretty cool.
The “Website” field in doofus’ original post pointed to rereno.com, just as your post does. That’s quite a coincidence.
Mike, if you’re posting under additional aliases, aside from Mike/GreenNV, I’d like to know why. And if you’re not, then say so.
oldjohnny
It’s been awhile. Anyone have any idea of what the Fitz is becoming yet?
oldjohnny
Ok so no one got back with me, but here’s what I got off of DMD’s site this am. Another bad idea courtesy of your local putz Nando. What a mutt. hhttp://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/Fitzgeralds_To_Become_Comm_Row_115330759.html
mackenzie
it’s a free country mike! anyone here can post under whatever name they want to!
Uh..Really?
To OldJohnny just read ur comment saying downtown is for adults no not really. Its for anyone anytime. Its not like adults can say its there Place and kids should leave the area becasue they are under age. I dont know i just wanted to comment on that 🙂 Ive read most of these comments and most talk about companies or rumours and everything but come to think of it. Why do anything really? Yes its be cool to have fitzgeralds back but whats that going to acomplish? Money? What if it doesnt? They will close agian say they will re open with a new spectacular thing and no they wont thats wasteing money. money that could help “education” Ok parts of it okay. it doesnt matter what they are going to do because sometime soon it will go downhill like other places have once agian and once agian then what? 🙂