Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Note: This summary is based on the meeting packet (minutes and transcript were unavailable or not used).
What Happened
The Reno Redevelopment Agency Board approved its FY27 capital budget and operational spending plan across two redevelopment areas in a single meeting with six board members present.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — University Village East Phase 2 Pedestrian Improvements budget increase of $775,000 (from $825,000 to $1,600,000) — vote count not recorded — University cannot contribute funding; RDA will now cover full cost from Redevelopment Area 2 budget.
APPROVED — $6,000,000 for River Path Phase 1 Construction (Lake Street to Brodhead Park) — vote count not recorded — largest single capital project; funded by Redevelopment Area 2.
APPROVED — $2,000,000 for 4th Street Bistro Lighting improvements — vote count not recorded — Redevelopment Area 2 project.
APPROVED — $2,000,000 for Linden Street sidewalk and lighting upgrades — vote count not recorded — Redevelopment Area 2 project.
APPROVED — $2,000,000 for Lear Theater stabilization and blight mitigation — vote count not recorded — Redevelopment Area 1 project addressing historic preservation concerns raised during public comment.
REJECTED — Shade on Believe Plaza ($150,000) — Staff recommended deletion due to low return on investment and small coverage area; board concurred.
REJECTED — Wayfinding Signs project ($250,000) — Staff recommended deletion because wayfinding signs are already being installed using ARPA federal dollars.
REJECTED — Play elements at Brodhead and John Champion Parks ($300,000) — Staff recommended deletion citing insufficient residential population in area to generate demand.
Debated But Not Resolved
River Path Design Phase 2 and 3 ($1,200,000) — Staff raised question about workforce capacity to begin design work; board recommended deferring design start until Phase 1 construction is underway in FY27/28 — decision deferred pending workload assessment.
What to Watch
$6,000,000 — River Path Phase 1 construction — Redevelopment Area 2
$2,000,000 — 4th Street Bistro Lighting — Redevelopment Area 2
$2,000,000 — Linden Street sidewalk and lighting upgrades — Redevelopment Area 2
$2,000,000 — Lear Theater stabilization — Redevelopment Area 1
$1,600,000 — University Village East Phase 2 pedestrian improvements — Redevelopment Area 2
$1,200,000 — River Path Phases 2 & 3 design documents — Redevelopment Area 2
$900,000 — Parking Gallery maintenance — Redevelopment Area 1
$650,000 — Historic Rail Depot tenant improvements — Redevelopment Area 1
$550,000 — Studies and analysis (parking, fiscal evaluation, strategic plan) — Redevelopment Areas 1 & 2
$400,000 — Virginia Street sidewalk improvements assessment — Redevelopment Area 1
$400,000 — Event Center/Bowling Stadium exterior lighting — Redevelopment Area 1
$325,000 — Tax Increment Finance consultants — Redevelopment Areas 1 & 2
Vacant to Vibrant Program — RAAB board recommending final direction on storefront activation policy in May 2026; RDA board will vote on master lease/sublease pilot program approach May 20, 2026.
River Path Design timing — Board will revisit Phase 2 and 3 design start once Phase 1 construction gains traction (likely FY27/28).
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