(Note: The Opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the writer, Reno resident Mike Allen, pictured in bottom right of the photo montage above. If you’d like to be featured in our Citizen’s Forum, please contact us via Facebook or our website Contact form.)
For Residents or Developers?
Does the city council work for those living and working in Reno or developers? Recently in the news we have heard of the hotel project at the former Park Lane Mall (https://www.parklanelife.com/), as well as a new project Westlook Resort Living Apartments (in west Reno) where there use to be an artist community.
This project will include: swimming pool and clubhouse with a communal kitchen area, leasing offices, pet spa, conference room, yoga room and fitness center. Most assuredly it will be unaffordable to many who work in or near the new apartments.
We also learned of a non gaming, non smoking hotel next to a church in downtown Reno. An out of state company came in and has been tearing down motels and houses to make room for sculptures, a parking lot, and possibly a neon district? The University is buying land and houses to expand, while the cost of an education is rising.
A recent protest on the streets of Reno, denouncing runaway rents.
Where is the New Affordable Housing and Safe Camping Ground?
The Mayor’s 1000 homes in 120 days is a bust. “Only one of the housing projects being proposed is truly affordable — all the others will be market rate,” city Revitalization Manager Aric Jensen was quoted as saying in an AP article in January. A hotel gets remodelled into an overpriced motel charging up to $1,000 or more for a 250 square foot studio. We have seen an apartment go from renting studios for about $600 to now costing $1,195 for a 301 square foot studio.
All across the city, rents are rising. One recent story online had this information: “A recent study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition says you'd need to make $18.26 an hour in Nevada to afford a two bedroom unit. You would have to work 89 hours a week making minimum wage.”
We have a city that is tearing down homeless camps for safety, yet they do not offer a safe camping zone. Members of our community have brought up the idea of safe camping zones for the homeless. Homeless, for a small fee, could legally camp and have services centrally located to help, but instead the city tears down camps leaving people without their few possessions or any shelter.
The city has brought in some big companies, but doesn’t make those same big companies build affordable housing for their employees. The city has also approved some new housing communities, but not everyone working in Reno can afford 300-thousand dollars or more for a house. They city has also refused to allow people to build in-law units that could be rented out.
So, I will ask again who does the city council work for? Do they work for people living and working in Reno, or do they work for companies moving here to take advantage of our tax laws?