AMBASSADOR HOTLINE:
Downtown Reno Partnership Year Eight
Dear Downtown Stakeholders,
As we reflect on our last fiscal year (July 2025 – June 2026), our eighth 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 it’s creating an activation for the 55,000 bowlers that visited downtown or adding additional flowering planters along Virginia and Fourth Streets, we are constantly looking for ways to increase value to you, our stakeholders.
During the year, our Ambassador and Licensed Security Guard teams did incredible work keeping the BID safe and clean. The Ambassadors performed 26,906 stakeholder check-ins, collected 260,447 pounds of trash, completed 2,894 pressure washes and gave more than 800 van rides to services and shelters. In addition, we transitioned our Ambassador services third-party contract to Block by Block for expanded stats and tracking coverage, fleet maintenance and more robust leadership operations. Our Ambassadors and Licensed Security Guards work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Throughout the year we continued our partnership with the City of Reno in a variety of ways including our weekly walks with the Reno Police Department, Code Enforcement, Parks and City leadership. These group walks continue to prove to be beneficial in identifying hotspot areas and issues while allowing the team to address problems in a coordinated and timely manner. We also meet with Reno Police as well as other agencies in our office weekly to coordinate efforts to benefit downtown.
The DRP team welcomed the 55,000 USBC Bowlers with an activation on our plaza each Tuesday from mid-March to mid-July with free music, treats, swag and more. In addition, we added 30 flowering planters to Virginia and Fourth Streets to bring the number of planters to 130. As an effort to share downtown with the community at large, we secured an every other week, free, live morning spot on KRXI Channel 11 to highlight all things, events and businesses in Downtown Reno. The DRP also continued to share information about Downtown Reno through numerous community meetings and presentations as well as on social media with its ever-growing reach to highlight the numerous events and businesses through more organic content.
Economic development remains a core focus of the Downtown Reno Partnership, and we continue to lead efforts that shape the future of downtown. With our Downtown Reno Main Street program now nationally accredited by Main Street America, and with expanded use of advanced mapping tools, we’ve strengthened our role as a go-to source for data and insight that drives investment and revitalization. This year, we released Version 3.0 of the State of Downtown Report, building on the baseline established last year to better equip investors, developers, businesses, and brokers with the information they need to make strategic, data-driven decisions.
We also published the retail attraction booklet to let developers and potential businesses know of spaces available in downtown. 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
- Basin Street Properties
- Caesars Entertainment (Eldorado, Silver Legacy & Circus Circus)
- City of Reno
- Club Cal Neva / Siri's Casino
- Community Foundation of Northern Nevada
- Design on Edge
- Dickson Commercial Group
- Greg’s Garage
- Governor’s Office Of Economic Development
- Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.
- Karma Box
- Basin Street Properties
- Caesars Entertainment (Eldorado, Silver Legacy & Circus Circus)
- City of Reno
- Club Cal Neva / Siri's Casino
- Community Foundation of Northern Nevada
- Design on Edge
- Dickson Commercial Group
- Greg’s Garage
- Governer's Office of Economic Development
- Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.
- Karma Box
- Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful
- Lifestyle Homes
- Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce
- Regional Transportation Commission (RTC)
- Riverwalk District
- Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
- The Depot / Louis’ Basque Corner
- The Montage
- The Palladio
- Tolles Development Company
- University of Nevada, Reno
- Visit Reno Tahoe
- Washoe County
- Washoe County Sheriff's Department
DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS BY THE NUMBERS
POPULATION OF DOWNTOWN
MEDIAN AGE OF DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS
AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE
HOUSEHOLDS OWN PETS
AVERAGE DISPOSABLE INCOME MEDIAN: $38,679
$
ASSOCIATES DEGREE OR HIGHER
0
%
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
0
%
SOME COLLEGE
0
%
TOTAL BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN
0
WORKERS IN DOWNTOWN
0
HOUSING UNITS IN DOWNTOWN
0
IN TOTAL PROPERTY SALES FOR 2025/2026
Source: Downtown Reno Partnership analysis of regional data. Environmental Systems Research Institute, Demographic, and Income Comparison Profile numbers from within BID boundaries.
Meet the Downtown Reno Partnership Ambassadors & Licensed Security Guards
The Downtown Reno Partnership deploys Ambassadors & Licensed Security Guards throughout the downtown area to help everyone who visits, lives and works in our evolving district. Our Ambassadors patrol the 110-block of Downtown Reno representing 1,500 property owners. The job of an Ambassador is to create a cleaner, safer, more vibrant environment for visitors, residents, businesses and students. We contract with Block by Block to hire, train and manage our ambassadors. Ambassadors & Licensed Security Guards work 24 hours a day, seven days a week patrolling the public realm (sidewalks, The Riverwalk, alleys and parks.) On a regular basis, Ambassadors work with Reno Police, Reno Fire, REMSA and City of Reno Code Enforcement maintenance departments to maintain the district.
Ambassador Stats
July 2025 - June 2026
STAKEHOLDER CHECK-INS
POUNDS OF TRASH REMOVED
HOTLINE CALLS TAKEN
PRESSURE WASHES COMPLETED
0
SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRALS
0
VAN RIDES TO SERVICES / SHELTERS
0
SHOPPING CARTS RECOVERED
0
PIECES OF GRAFFITI REMOVED
0
What Are They Saying About
The
DRP Ambassadors?
Ambassador & Licensed Security Guard Success Stories
On January 16, 2026, Social Services Ambassador Tremaine helped a long-term client take a major step toward stability by entering Safe Camp. After years of trust-building and encouragement, the client chose shelter, was accepted, and completed every requirement. She is now in Safe Camp with her dog, receiving the wrap-around services she needs, and moving toward permanent housing.
While patrolling 4th Street during the USBC Open Championships, Security Guard Sazo encountered a group of out-of-state visitors wanting to explore the river walk. He volunteered to safely escort the group and provided simple instructions to return to their hotel, ensuring they could enjoy their time in Reno with confidence and safety.
Nearly 20 New Businesses Opened in Downtown Last Year
From July 2025 until June 2026, 17 new businesses opened in Downtown Reno! Businesses included a spa, numerous restaurants, a vintage store, a coffee house and bar, three sushi restaurants and more adding to the numerous dining and service options in Downtown Reno.
Downtown Reno Partnership Supports Bowlers in Downtown Reno
March to July saw more than 55,000 USBC Open Championships bowlers come to Downtown Reno to compete at the National Bowling Stadium. Each week during that time frame, our team enjoyed welcoming them to Downtown Reno, especially during the Tuesday activation we held for them each week which featured treats, swag, music, Rollin Rec and more while also recommending small businesses in the downtown area for them to visit and enjoy. In addition, the DRP added bowling-specific signage to its plaza, more lighting and bowling-themed trash can clings to the area.
ACTIVATIONS FROM MAR - JULY
FROZEN TREATS CONSUMED
HOURS OF MUSIC ENJOYED
OF BOWLERS DANCING
0
S
PIECES OF SWAG HANDED OUT
0
OF BOWLERS SMILING
0
S
Downtown Reno Partnership Social Media Continues to Reach Audiences and Make an Impact
The DRP continues to create and push original content on our social media channels to inform and share all the work the Ambassador are doing as well as all the businesses and events in Downtown Reno.
DRP’S Social Media by the Numbers during FY25-26:
MILLION VIEWS ON FACEBOOK
INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS ON FACEBOOK
%
EST. REACH ON INSTAGRAM
NEW FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM
+
MILLION VIEWS ON FACEBOOK
INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS ON FACEBOOK
%
EST. REACH ON INSTAGRAM
NEW FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM
+
Downtown Reno Partnership’s District Event Sponsorship Continues to Make an Impact
For the second consecutive year, the DRP was able to offer an events and or marketing sponsorship to the two formed districts in our BID, the Riverwalk and Brewery Districts. In the Riverwalk, the sponsorship went to support the monthly Wine Walk. In the Brewery District, the sponsorship went to support the annual OffBeat Music Fest that takes place in the district in early October.
Downtown Reno Partnership Secured Regular Segment on KRXI Fox 11
In an ongoing effort to promote all things Downtown Reno, last fall the Downtown Reno Partnership secured a free, live, in-studio segment to talk about all things downtown. From events, to businesses and our Ambassadors and more, this bi-weekly segment allows us to bring a guest to help them highlight what they are doing to make Downtown Reno so special. Below is a list of business, events and topics we’ve covered as part of this earned news segment.
- The Depot, spring events, classes and menu offerings
- Pitch Black Printing Anniversary
- Broadway Comes to Reno
- Festival of Lights
- Soundstar coming to the Brewery District
- New exhibit opening at the Nevada Museum of Art
- Holiday events at 50 S Virginia
- Ambassador and Downtown Reno Partnership year in review
- New Year’s Eve in Reno
- DRP launches Dog Waste Campaign
- Neon Line district updates
- The Discovery new exhibit, Above and Beyond
- Pasta Fresca Blue Carpet Treatment
- Updates about the University in Downtown Reno
- Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center awards
- The Elera Spa Grand Opening
DRP-hosted Blue Carpet Events Highlight New and Expanded Businesses
The Blue Carpet Treatment is the Downtown Reno Partnership’s signature event to highlight and celebrate new business openings, renovations, and expansions in the city’s urban core. We literally roll out the blue carpet to create a fun, high visibility event that doubles as a content party, with full support from our team. Each event is promoted through our social channels, email newsletter, press release with direct invitations to City of Reno leaders, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Nevada Small Business Development Center and other partner organizations. Events are designed to generate great social content, with photo opportunities, media coverage, and local influencers.
Blue Carpet Treatments last year:
- Pasta Fresca
- The Elera Spa
- Playfield Sport & Games
- Block Party celebration with Home Means Nevada, Pizano’s Pizza, Karajillo & Co., El Malecon, Sierra Street Kitchen & Cocktail.
Downtown Reno Partnership Holds Lunch and Learn’s for Stakeholders
The Downtown Reno Partnership holds various lunch and learns throughout the year for different stakeholder groups including residents, Riverwalk and Brewery District members. These lunch and learns give stakeholders a chance to hear from the DRP team about all the work and efforts they are doing throughout our 110-block district as well as gives participants an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback.
Nevada Main Street Programs in Reno
Downtown Reno has a substantial commercial core with three officially recognized Nevada Main Street Urban District programs. These private nonprofits do extensive work to enhance their neighborhoods and revitalize the surrounding areas. The three districts in downtown are: The Downtown Reno Main Street, The Riverwalk District and the Reno Brewery District.
The Downtown Reno Main Street program is administered by the Downtown Reno Partnership and was started in 2019. They were awarded $20,000 in grant funds for wall and window murals. Multiple events welcomed over 125,000 visitors in 2025.
POPULATION
BUSINESSES
EMPLOYEES
HOUSEHOLDS WITH PETS
NON-RESIDENT VISITS
M
POPULATION
BUSINESSES
EMPLOYEES
HOUSEHOLDS WITH PETS
NON-RESIDENT VISITS
M
Source: Placer.ai
Economic Development
Our economic development team has built on the work and success of previous years by continuing established programs while launching new initiatives.
Downtown’s economic fabric remains stable, supported by ongoing residential development, property investment, and institutional growth. The University of Nevada, Reno continues to be a catalyst for downtown revitalization with the completion of the new John Tulloch Business Building and continued growth of University Village.
We consistently manage business and property data, identify vacancies, track investment, plan streetscape assets, and help partners better understand downtown conditions. Our geospatial analysis and mapping capabilities have become a valued resource for tracking, managing, and deploying streetscape assets and other public realm investments.
We continue to maintain strong relationships with key partners, including re:up, Northern NV now, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada Small Business Development Center, Washoe County, City of Reno, and many others.
Our Downtown Reno Nevada Main Street program once again earned national accreditation from Main Street America. In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Nevada Main Street, we facilitated strategic planning workshops for the Riverwalk and Brewery Districts and continue to participate in their district board meetings. We were also awarded a $20,000 Nevada Main Street grant to place wall and window murals at visible downtown properties.
Version 3.0 of the State of Downtown Report was published to provide updated information to developers, brokers, leasing agents, real estate professionals, investors, businesses, residents, and other stakeholders. We met with more than 170 groups and individuals seeking to learn more and participate in the downtown conversation. We fulfilled more than 52 requests for data and foot traffic reports, participated in eight media interviews, and conducted more than a dozen downtown tours and walk audits.
We continue working to address vacant and underutilized properties through our Retail Opportunities Booklet, property owner outreach, and the development of retail attraction strategies. Following strong positive feedback from businesses and residents about our downtown sidewalk planters, we added 30 more along Fourth Street to create additional visual beauty, greenery, and colorful softscape.
In collaboration with our marketing team, we continued our signature Blue Carpet Treatment events, honoring eight businesses celebrating openings, anniversaries, and other important milestones that contribute to downtown vibrancy.
Together, these efforts support a stronger, more informed approach to downtown revitalization. By combining reliable data, strategic partnerships, business support, placemaking, and direct engagement with property owners and stakeholders, our work helps create the conditions for continued investment and a cleaner, more active, and more vibrant downtown.
Three Pillars of Economic Development
- Data & information
- Partnerships & policy
- Community development
Development Activity
2025-26 DRP STAFF
Neoma Jardon
Executive Director
Harold Cofer
Operations Manager (Ambassadors)
Jonah Clark
Operations Manager (Ambassadors)
Kristen Saibini
Assistant Executive Director /
Marketing Manager
Nathan Digangi
Economic Development Director
2025-2026 Budget
THE OVERALL BUDGET FOR 2025-26: $4.08 MILLION
$2.5 million of that paid for the Ambassadors, security guards, their manager and equipment.
$1.1 million paid for staff, operations, economic development and marketing programs.
$480,000 paid for the City of Reno staff who performed additional maintenance and cleaning throughout the district and for improvements along Virginia Street.
2025-26 Board Members
Board Chair Tony Marini
Vice President of Player Development, Caesars Entertainment
Vice Chair Jonathon Boulware
Vice President of Nevada Operations at Jacobs Entertainment
Secretary Par Tolles
President of Tolles
Development Company
Treasurer Mike Rossman
Director of Development,
Reno Basin Street Properties
Eric Edelstein
President, Reno Aces Baseball
Immediate Past Chair Chris Shanks
Dickson Commercial Realtor, Owner of The Depot Craft Brewery-Distillery & Louis Basque Corner
Paul Irving
Resident of the Palladio
Condominium Tower
Resident of the Palladio
Condominium Tower
Jeff Siri
President and CEO of Club Cal Neva
Eaton Dunkelburger
Northern Nevada Community Foundation
Mark Reece
Director of Business Development, Marketing and Communications at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Courtney Meredith
CEO of Design on Edge, Marketing Director of the Reno Riverwalk District
Mariluz Garcia
Washoe County Commissioner
Kathleen Taylor
Reno City Council Member
Emily Skyle
Resident at Arlington Towers
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
Steven T. Polikalas
Attorney at Law
Board Chair Tony Marini
Vice President of Player Development, Caesars Entertainment
Vice Chair Jonathon Boulware
Vice President of Nevada Operations at Jacobs Entertainment
Secretary Par Tolles
President of Tolles
Development Company
Treasurer Mike Rossman
Director of Development,
Reno Basin Street Properties
Eric Edelstein
President, Reno Aces Baseball
Immediate Past Chair Chris Shanks
Dickson Commercial Realtor, Owner of The Depot Craft Brewery-Distillery & Louis Basque Corner
Paul Irving
Resident of the Palladio
Condominium Tower
Resident of the Palladio
Condominium Tower
Jeff Siri
President and CEO of Club Cal Neva
Eaton Dunkelburger
Northern Nevada Community Foundation
Mark Reece
Director of Business Development, Marketing and Communications at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Courtney Meredith
CEO of Design on Edge, Marketing Director of the Reno Riverwalk District
Mariluz Garcia
Washoe County Commissioner
Kathleen Taylor
Reno City Council Member
Emily Skyle
Resident at Arlington Towers
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
Steven T. Polikalas
Attorney at Law
*Photos in this report were taken by Frank Haxton, Jen Schmidt, David Calvert, Mike Higdon, Brian Bosma, Kristen Saibini, and courtesy of the Visit Reno Tahoe and Caesars Entertainment.