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Downtown Reno Partnership Year Six
Dear Downtown Stakeholders,
As we reflect on our last fiscal year (July 2023- June 2024), our sixth as a business improvement district (BID), we are proud of the work the Downtown Reno Partnership (DRP) has accomplished and the expanded focus on making Downtown Reno a safe, clean and vibrant place. Whether hosting events or creating the first-ever State of Downtown report, we are constantly looking for ways to increase value to you, our stakeholders.
During the year, our Ambassador team did incredible work keeping the BID safe and clean. The 28-member team made 92,788 stakeholder check-ins, collected 176,721 pounds of trash, completed 4,988 pressure washes and gave more than 1,200 van rides to services and shelters. The team’s ongoing commitment to the downtown area is their top priority and we are grateful for their efforts and appreciative of the thanks they receive from residents and visitors for their tireless work.
Throughout the year we continued our partnership with the City of Reno with ongoing City Walks while also focusing on several other operations in key hotspot areas in the district to address concerns in real-time. These additional operations have focused on recovering and returning shopping carts, educating individuals about Reno Municipal Codes, regularly partnering with the Reno Police Department and attending meetings with community groups to share everything that is happening in Downtown Reno.
The DRP created a very popular event called Rollin’ Reno to activate Locomotion Plaza in the heart of Downtown Reno. More than 1,000 people attended the two events which featured roller skating, music, food and drinks bringing together people from Reno and surrounding communities in Nevada and California. The DRP team also added another project to its Vacant Storefront Beautification Program by creating and installing decorative fence screening at the old Harrah’s property. Applying temporary art or screening on a vacant property or building helps breathe some life into the space, making it more vibrant and eye-catching as the location awaits a tenant or renovations while helping to reduce blight.
In the realm of Economic Development, the BID remains a critical partner in shaping downtown’s trajectory. We consistently collect and report on downtown metrics, regularly collaborate with Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, Urban Land Institute, EDAWN and the City of Reno’s Revitalization leaders who are all working in the economic development space. And finally, we created the first ever State of Downtown Report. This report is a downtown data baseline that will assist investors, developers, businesses and brokers in making informed, data-driven decisions.
We are grateful so many are passionate about the downtown area, and we are proud to be a part of its revitalization.
Partnerships With The Partnership
Partners
Ambassador Program
Continued Collaboration Between Ambassadors and the Reno Police Department
The Ambassadors, the Reno Police Department and City Leadership have a regular schedule of collaboration to help keep Downtown Reno safe and clean and address issues in real time. Together, the team clears hotspots in the downtown area and identifies code issues. Together, their work is making a positive impact in downtown for residents, visitors, businesses and students.
Ambassadors Featured in the Media
The DRP Ambassadors have had their impact and work highlighted in the media throughout the year, both personally and professionally. The Ambassadors were highlighted in two segments on KOLO News Channel 8 as part of Anchor Noah Bond’s story on the Cares Campus and how the Ambassadors play an important role in connecting people to services. In addition, Ambassador Juan was featured in Washoe County’s Documentary on the Cares Campus, and Ambassador David was featured on the front page of the Reno Gazette Journal sharing how he came to be an Ambassador.
Ambassadors Presence at Downtown Events
The Ambassadors can be spotted at the numerous special events and parades in Downtown Reno. From walking through the event and along the perimeter as part of their daily patrols, Ambassadors help to ensure a safe and clean environment during the many events in the heart of Downtown Reno. They also engage with attendees, providing area recommendations and more. The Ambassador team provided assistance at many events including: the USBC Bowling Tournament, the Shriner’s Convention, BBQ, Blues, & Brews, the Great Italian Festival, the Biggest Little City Wing Festival, Hot August Nights, Reno Aces Baseball Games, concerts at Glow Plaza, and many more.
Ambassadors By The Numbers
The Downtown Reno Partnership ambassadors were trained by Reno Police, Northern Nevada HOPES, The Life Change Center, Advantage CPR Instruction and toured numerous service organizations in downtown. They use this training to keep downtown safer by approaching everyone with kindness and administering CPR or Narcan in life-threatening situations. They keep downtown cleaner by alerting City of Reno Public Works and Code Enforcement to problem areas that need immediate attention. They track those interactions as they happen.
Stakeholder Check-Ins
990
+
Pounds of Trash Collected
1000
+
Hotline Calls Taken
0
+
Stakeholder Check-Ins
990
+
Pounds of Trash Removed
1000
+
Hotline Calls Taken
0
+
Social Service Referrals
0
Pressure Washes Completed
0
Social Service Referrals
0
Van Rides to Services/Shelters
0
+
Van Rides to Services/Shelters
0
+
Shopping Carts Recovered
0
Syringes Removed
0
Pieces of Graffiti Removed
0
Pressure Washes Completed
0
Shopping Carts Recovered
0
Syringes Removed
0
Pieces of Graffiti Removed
0
Downtown Engagement
The Downtown Reno Partnership in the Community
While the Downtown Reno Partnership focuses on patrolling the 110-block boundaries in Downtown Reno to keep its district safe and clean, we always welcome the opportunity to share the work we do as well as all that is going on in downtown with other groups and those in other parts of Reno.
Throughout the year, the DRP made presentations to the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Board of Directors, the Business Expo with the Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and EDAWN.
Lunch & Learns
In an effort to hear feedback from specific groups in the downtown area, the DRP launched a Lunch & Learn series. The team held Lunch & Learns for downtown residents, the Brewery District and the Riverwalk District with another Lunch & Learn scheduled for the Arts/Theater/Museum organizations.
During these meetings, the DRP presented on all things Downtown Reno from our safe and clean mission and strategic plans to marketing and economic development while also taking questions and feedback from attendees.
DRP Draws People to Downtown for Rollin’ Reno
Over the last year, the DRP created and hosted a one-of-a-kind roller skating event in the heart of Downtown Reno called Rollin’ Reno. During the two events, Rollin’ Reno drew more than 1,000 locals and visitors into the heart of downtown for a night of roller skating, music, food, drinks and fun.
Celebrating Businesses with the Blue Carpet Treatment
In 2022, the Downtown Reno Partnership created the Blue Carpet Treatment as “a special way to celebrate new businesses or those celebrating a milestone anniversary.” The DRP and Ambassadors roll out a blue carpet to celebrate the business and invite representatives from the City of Reno, EDAWN, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of Small Business Advocacy, and the community to join as well. Over the last year, the DRP rolled out the Blue Carpet for the Biggest Little Cafe located at City Hall and Food Shed Cafe at the Great Basin Community Food Co-op, among others.
Marketing & Media
DRP in the Media
Throughout the last year, the DRP and Downtown Reno received 177 media mentions that reached an audience of over 300,000,000 people. Some of the larger media coverage came from our Rollin’ Reno event, a feature on Ambassador David Papaleo and the launch of our Ambassador overnight program.
DRP Social Media Grows Accounts & Reach
Our social media reached new heights, with our platforms achieving record reach and engagement. Our Facebook impressions grew by over 215%, reach by nearly 200% and followers by 66%. Our Instagram account also saw its reach increase by 122%, its clicks by 100% and the account grew by more than 3,450 followers. Don’t forget to tag us on social so we can help share all the great events, work and happenings in Downtown Reno.
DRP Launches Video Blog to Highlight Downtown Businesses
In an effort to showcase and share all the great businesses located in Downtown Reno, the DRP launched a video blog series called “What’s Up Downtown.” In this series, downtown businesses are featured in a short, interview-style video with DRP Executive Director Neoma Jardon as host to learn more about what makes each business unique and a place you don’t want to miss. Blog entries have featured Battle Born Brewery, Pitch Black Printing Company, R\Lab at the Reno Renaissance, The National Automobile Museum and more.
Downtown Reno Partnership Debuts New Website
The Downtown Reno Partnership launched a new website! Designed by the talented team at Design on Edge, the new site allows users to stay up-to-date on all the latest DRP and Downtown Reno news, events and developments on their mobile and desktop devices. The site has a new events calendar, district pages with highlights and offerings, Ambassador stats and archive of their work, a getting around Downtown section and more. The URL remains the same: downtownreno.org
Downtown Reno Partnership Creates First-Ever State of Downtown Report
The State of Downtown report provides a recent snapshot of data to illustrate the current state of downtown, utilizing a 1-mile radius as an area of economic influence to allow for easier evaluation and comparison. This report establishes a baseline to measure future progress and it is an asset to help investors, developers, businesses and brokers to make better data-informed decisions.
Former Harrah’s Site is the Latest Addition to the Vacant Storefront Beautification Program
While all of downtown and those in Reno are excited to see the Reno City Center site activated (former Harrah’s location), we also realize the location is central to Downtown and appears in the background of countless photos that tourists take in front of the Reno Arch. Given that, the DRP team worked with the Reno City Center to create screen wraps with images and graphics central to Downtown Reno to temporarily shield the unfinished front of the plaza as the community awaits the next step in that project.
Marketing By The Numbers
Media Mentions
0
Audience
0
Media Mentions
0
Audience
0
Economic Development
Mission:
Continue to transform downtown into a more vibrant community that is economically diverse, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, dynamic, beautiful, and resilient.
Our mission within economic development aligns with the values of our organization to help build a downtown that has something for everyone. We have identified the core competencies of our department to include three goal areas as our core categories.
Goals:
Data & Information – Collect it, manage it, analyze it, be a strong resource for it.
Community Organizing – Facilitate meetings, make connections, collaborate, and be available.
Main Street – Be involved, support entrepreneurship, small business, beautification, placemaking, and activitation.
In our fifth year of downtown economic development, we have significantly advanced in data collection and sharing, expanded our stakeholder network and sphere of influence, promoted effective policies and best practices, beautified downtown, collaborated with local businesses and deepened our expertise in all downtown-related matters.
We consistently monitor downtown metrics, including foot traffic, fulfilling over 30 data report requests and more than 200 information inquiries from businesses and partners. We have joined the Data Advisory Group for Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, and recently published the inaugural State of Downtown report to assist investors, developers, businesses and brokers in making informed, data-driven decisions.
We attended the International Downtown Association (IDA) conference in Chicago, IL, where we connected with experts to learn about new initiatives and research best practices. To collaborate with regional partners in attraction-based economic development, we participated in ICSC Las Vegas to understand retail trends, developer priorities and paths to success while engaging with brands to invite them to Reno.
To better connect with professional communities in planning and urban development, we joined the Urban Land Institute and are actively involved in establishing a Northern Nevada chapter.
In downtown beautification, we are advancing a river path makeover that has evolved from our 1-Mile Makeover initiative to the comprehensive City of Reno Truckee River Vision Plan, led by our friends at Dig Studio. Additionally, we continue landscaping and maintenance at Locomotion Plaza and have beautified the area around the Reno Arch by installing custom fence screens at the former Harrah’s property.
Summarizing our accomplishments over the past year is challenging, even when focusing on the most significant achievements. Our collaborators and those most impacted by our work have witnessed the benefits provided by the Downtown Reno Partnership. We have created numerous opportunities for citizens to engage in conversations about downtown revitalization. The importance of downtown-focused economic development is firmly established, and we will continue striving to be leaders and experts in making downtown a place where people love to visit, live, work and play.
By The Numbers
Number of Housing Units
0
in Total Property Sales From Year 23/24
$
10000
Total Businesses in Downtown
0
Workers in Downtown
0
Development Activity
Staff
Neoma Jardon
Executive Director
Gary Bartolomeo
Operations Manager (Ambassadors)
Kristen Saibini
Strategic Operations Manager
Nathan Digangi
Economic Development Manager
2023-2024 Budget
The overall budget for 2023-24: $3.725 million
$1.6 million of that paid for 25 ambassadors, their manager and equipment.
$810,000 paid for supplemental Reno Police officers.
$708,000 paid for staff, operations, economic development, and marketing programs.
$415,000 paid for the City of Reno staff who performed additional maintenance and cleaning throughout the district and for improvements along Virginia Street.
$92,000 paid for premium services for beautification and improvements on Virginia Street.
$100,000 supplemental Revenue Contract/Contribution Revenue
The overall budget for 2023-24: $3.725 million
$1.6 million of that paid for 25 ambassadors, their manager and equipment.
$810,000 paid for supplemental Reno Police officers.
$708,000 paid for staff, operations, economic development, and marketing programs.
$415,000 paid for the City of Reno staff who performed additional maintenance and cleaning throughout the district and for improvements along Virginia Street.
$92,000 paid for premium services for beautification and improvements on Virginia Street.
$100,000 supplemental Revenue Contract/Contribution Revenue
Board Members
Board Chair Chris Shanks
Dickson Commercial Realtor, owner of The Depot Craft Brewery-Distillery and Louis Basque Corner
Vice Chair Tony Marini
Vice President of Casino Operations, Community Relations, Midway & Caesars Sports Book
Secretary Jim Gallaway
Resident of the Palladio Condominium Tower
Treasurer Mike Rossman
Director of Development,
Reno Basin Street Properties
Past Chair Par Tolles
President of Tolles Development Company
Jonathan Boulware
Vice President of Nevada Operations at Jacobs Entertainment
Jeff Siri
President and CEO of Club Cal Neva
Eaton Dunkelburger
Northern Nevada Community Foundation
Sharon Chamberlain
CEO of Northern Nevada HOPES
Mark Reece
Director of Business Development, Marketing and Communications at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Chris Phillips
GM / Chief Operations Officer at Reno Aces Baseball
Courtney Meredith
Co-Owner of Design on Edge, Marketing Director of the Reno Riverwalk District
Britton Griffith
Vice President of Reno Engineering & President of the Riverwalk District
Mariluz Garcia
Washoe County Commissioner
Kathleen Taylor
Reno City Council Member
Eric Lerude
Resident of The Montage
Troy Miller
Assistant Vice President of Community and Real Estate at the University of Nevada, Reno
Kaya Stanley
Co-Owner of Old Granite Street Eatery and President of TEDxReno
Steven T. Polikalas
Commercial Property
Board Chair Chris Shanks
Dickson Commercial Realtor, owner of The Depot Craft Brewery-Distillery and Louis Basque Corner
Vice Chair Tony Marini
Vice President of Casino Operations, Community Relations, Midway & Caesars Sports Book
Secretary Jim Gallaway
Resident of the Palladio Condominium Tower
Treasurer Mike Rossman
Director of Development,
Reno Basin Street Properties
Past Chair Par Tolles
President of Tolles Development Company
Jonathan Boulware
Vice President of Nevada Operations at Jacobs Entertainment
Jonathan Boulware
Vice President of Nevada Operations at Jacobs Entertainment
Jeff Siri
President and CEO of Club Cal Neva
Eaton Dunkelburger
Northern Nevada Community Foundation
Sharon Chamberlain
CEO of Northern Nevada HOPES
Mark Reece
Director of Business Development, Marketing and Communications at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Chris Phillips
GM / Chief Operations Officer at Reno Aces Baseball
Courtney Meredith
Co-Owner of Design on Edge, Marketing Director of the Reno Riverwalk District
Britton Griffith
Vice President of Reno Engineering & President of the Riverwalk District
Mariluz Garcia
Washoe County Commissioner
Kathleen Taylor
Reno City Council Member
Eric Lerude
Resident of The Montage
Troy Miller
Assistant Vice President of Community and Real Estate at the University of Nevada, Reno
Kaya Stanley
Co-Owner of Old Granite Street Eatery and President of TEDxReno
Steven T. Polikalas
Commercial Property