Abandoned Reno Town Square Plan Circa 1995
Look what Scott Schrantz over at Around Carson dug up–a plan for another downtown plaza on the river between Center and Virginia in 1995 that involved the downtown post office. He always finds the best stuff:
It would have involved filling in part of the river channel, closest to the Mapes, to create walking paths and shallow ponds. Also there would have been tree-lined public plazas on both sides of the river, with space for walking and sitting. Almost like an extension of the Riverwalk. The old Post Office itself would have been subdivided, and part of it set aside as restaurant space.
I like Scott’s idea about dusting off parts of this plan, of course I think the original plan for the plaza at 10 N. Virginia was supposed to resolve some of the aesthetic and use issues for this part of downtown along the river–at least on the North side. Although installing the infamous canopy at the plaza AND working in additional meandering water features would finish off that plaza with style. Think of how much better the view would be from the south side of City Hall fellas? Also, I love the fact that Reno has a functioning historic post office downtown. Its such a beautiful building inside and because its not that large, I don’t see subdividing it into various retail establishments as a better plan. It would be an entirely different story if it was a larger building like Washington D.C.’s Union Station.
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sooner or later that ‘dam-like” Virginia St. bridge will have to go as part of the flood plan.
maybe they can do more park-like stuff around it then?
Short article is in RJG today about Mayor Cashell saying aloud, “hey we’ve got to finish these projects”. Duh!
I would have to agree about keeping the post office in tact. The amazing art decco style makes the building truly beautiful. Have you looked at the intricate designs around some of the doors, just stunning. I would think if they were going to do something with the building it would require using the whole thing not just subdividing it.
Funny to see the Mapes on the plans.
Councilman Dave Aiazzi made the following comment regarding the Post Office Parcel on the Around Carson website…..
“Regarding the Post Office, the City is in constant communications with the US Postal Service. We would like to acquire the site in fact, we once thought we were so close to a deal we gave up Mill Street to the Siena because we thought that we would move the Post Office parking to Mill Street so we could make the existing lot an extension of the River Walk.”
Who knows, maybe some day it WILL HAPPEN. The existing parking next to the river would certainly make a wonderful addition to the River Walk if the city does manage to eventually acquire the property.