The Right Direction

[Tom Clark]

Do you believe the City of Reno (not Sparks or Washoe) is moving in the right direction under the guidance of the existing City Council?

[Jim_Scripps]

Downtown redevelopment seems to be making a lot of progress -- at least to the point where there are developers at the table with plans (who knows what will end up happening long term) for projects that need to get done.
One of the big things I've had issue with is the transportation corridor and how zoning changes have made it impractical or impossible to add restaurants in non-corridor areas (because of parking requirements). While I don't have anything against Big-Box restaurants, the result will be more of those and less neighborhood, family run establishments. Also, if you are going to really promote alternative transportation, you have to make bikes a prominent part of the mix. There are a lot of people in Reno who would prefer to ride bikes, but they don't want to die on Virginia Street — the east/west class 1 path along the river is great .. How about a North South path?

[dave aiazzi]

And where should this north south route be?

[Jim_Scripps]

Isn't that something for our elected officials to figure out?
Just kidding. And good point. Obviously, a north-south path couldn't be contiguous like the river path — maybe it could dart from street to street in a couple places, etc., and it is doubtful that a class 1 path would be practical or even achievable. But if we are going to encourage future development to put more pressure on Virginia Street, it's a stretch to believe that all those people are going to take the bus.
Maybe they'll have hovercraft by then ... (or gas prices will force people to buy Vespas)

[Wolfy]

I think as the Reno Rambler says, dedicated bike lanes are recreational in nature and will foster a separationist attitude, sure, a lot of people use the river path for commuting, but that's MAINLY because east west routes are problematic. Bike laned need to be an intigral part of EVERY city street.

That said, north south is not bat @ all. I take Forest to Lakeside and then back to plumas. From McCarran Kietzke isn't bad, but S Virginia could use more lanes.

Moana is GREAT until the lane dies over the hill into S Meadows. WTF!!! BUT cruising through the traffic from Neil to Keitzke @ rush hour is AWESOME!

-M

[Moses Achoka]

Piggy backing on Jim's thoughts - I walk to work everyday and notice that Reno is very pedestrian unfriendly. There are frankly very few places you can commute to on foot around this city. Most pavements ironically truncate where establishments end and mostly at the end of their parking lots. I also wonder about green zones where the city breathes through - the parks seem like an after thought. Certainly I would think a more pedestrian friendly city, more green zones - open spaces. Bike paths definitely. Plant a flower by the roadside for goodness sake.

[sorg]

I gotta bring up Winnemucca Ranch. It's a touchy subject that my friend Dave Aiazzi reminds us needs to be engaged in with the county, not just the city (and I hope he'll continue to defend his position here.) It is half an hour away from our city limits... which is EXACTLY why we disagree with allowing the limp infrastructure plans currently existing for the project.

I had the idea to hold a 'paint-in' out there at the spot in order to generate some physical examples of the landscape's beauty. Erik Holland and the Voters For Sensible Growth proceeded with this idea and it has so far manifested in one art exhibition at Patagonia with another on the way.
Please call or email Erik Holland with questions.
775-322-3582
[e-mail]

The city council will be starting to spar with the public again about it pretty soon in the fall. In the mean time, see this beautiful land. I need to go back out and get some more great shots; it may not always be there for me.


And a painting by Jean LeGassick

[~M~]

Well, they pulled off the Green Summit 2 years in a row... and seem to be making some smart decisions.

I'm just getting into the game so to speak and reading agendas and minutes and attending my local NABs over the last year. But all in all I'm impressed with the speed at which decisions are made. And they are VERY responsive.

Now if more people would just show at meetings and give their 2 cents in the 3 minute comment period I think WAY more good stuff would happen. The only people who seem to attend are developers and the people making money off an idea... where are all the folks who live here?

I know noon on a Wednesday is a sucky time to try to make it over to City Hall... but man, when people do come, even just 2 or 3, from what I've seen the Council really stops and takes notice. So in that way, yes I do. But when no one comes to speak their mind, then I think its a crap shoot.

[Willie]

NO. And I think it might be time for the City of Reno to disincorporate from (not consolidate with) Washoe County. Perhaps that would truly solve some of the fiscal inequities and budget problems.