Historic Reno Preservation Society

The City of Reno Historical Resources Commission met on November 12, 2009. Some of the issues presented to the Commission included:

• The historic Jones Ranch structures and 1845 immigrant trail property:

  This property is supposed be acquired for the Flood Control Project. It was noted that a condition of sale of the Jones Ranch may be for the relocation and preservation of the historic buildings. These structures include the 1865 barn and an 1859 stone creamery. During public comment, Jack Hursh, a HRPS board member, discussed the importance and history of the Jones Ranch property buildings. The buildings are featured in his publication Truckee Meadows Remembered.

  Due to the difficulty of moving such structures, the Commission recommended to the Flood Control Project staff and City of Reno City Council that every effort be made to maintain in place the historical structures on the Jones Ranch. With some modification and rehabilitation, these ranch heritage buildingscould be the centerpiece for a scenic park along the Truckee River. The Commission is also concerned that a visible portion of the 1848 Immigrant Trail to the east of the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility could be lost in the terracing for the Flood Project. The Commission recommended that every effort be made to preserve the trail.

• From City Council Liaison Dan Gustin:

  There had been some comment from a resident about the phrasing in the Powning Conservation District that has encouraged property owners to take pride in the district.

• Other items:

  The two closed and fenced motels on Virginia Street across the street from Circus Circus are probably part of the future Tessera Project that will adjoin the gateway to UNR. The historic motel signs are available and the Redevelopment Agency is attempting to contact a local neon sign collector.

  The Commission expressed concern that there was public comment about the dilapidated condition of the former Masonic Temple at 98 Commercial Row (the oldest extant Reno commercial building) and that the building maybe demolished by neglect. There was concern about who now owns the building and Councilman Gustin commented that he will find out.

  Demolition of the Virginia Street Bridge will probably move forward now that the Federal Highway Administration amended a Memorandum of Agreement from the 1990s that originally saved the bridge in agreement to demolish and replace the Center Street Bridge.