History of the Redevelopment Agency 

The Reno Redevelopment Agency was established in 1980 in response to urban decline and shifting economic patterns following the mid-20th-century manufacturing downturn. As Reno’s population grew in the late 20th century, suburban expansion led to the deterioration of key projects, land parcels, and buildings in the downtown core. To counter this, the City of Reno created the Agency and established Redevelopment Area 1 (RDA 1), supporting major projects such as the National Bowling Stadium, the Truckee Riverwalk, and Greater Nevada Field. In 2005, Redevelopment Area 2 (RDA 2) was established, but the Great Recession led to a decline in property values and tax revenues, causing the Agency to go dormant in 2009.

In recent years, economic recovery and population growth have driven private investment in the urban core, leading to new developments and increased property values. With tax revenues now surpassing the thresholds set at the inception of RDA 1 and RDA 2, the Agency is once again positioned to drive economic progress and foster optimal land use in downtown and surrounding urban areas.

Agency Goals

1. Increase the diversity and quantity of products and services available from businesses in the Redevelopment Areas by attracting businesses that provide essential goods and services, dining, and retail, in addition to improving the structural integrity and visual appeal of buildings that such businesses may be located in.
2. Increase the diversity and number of residents living in the Redevelopment Areas through the creation of quality housing options that appeal to households of varying age, income, and size, and that are located near businesses providing essential services and leisure and recreation spaces.
3. Enable and encourage the flow of people into and throughout the Redevelopment Areas by increasing and optimizing the flow of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles into and throughout the areas via investment in safer and more accessible routes of movement for all modes of transport, bicycle storage, and parking options.
4. Enable and encourage the flow of people into and throughout the Redevelopment Areas by increasing the amount and availability of outdoor spaces, appropriate foliage, and public art, in addition to the general visual variety and attractiveness of the urban core.
5. Increase the presence of and access to the natural environment and resources and other outdoor spaces throughout Reno’s urban core by increasing the safety, cleanliness, attractiveness, pedestrian accessibility, number, and size of these spaces, and support activities that encourage the use and appreciation of these resources and natural spaces.
6. Preserve and emphasize the heritage and historic assets throughout the Redevelopment Areas through the rehabilitation and retrofitting of historic structures and sites in addition to increasing public knowledge of, safety of, and access to such structures and sites.

Redevelopment Agency Board

The Redevelopment Agency Board is currently comprised of the Mayor, who serves as the Chairperson, and the members of the Reno City Council, who serve on the Board. The Chairperson and the members of the Board are all voting members. 

Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board

The Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board (RAAB) plays a key role in advancing the goals of the Redevelopment Agency by assessing proposed redevelopment projects and providing recommendations to the Redevelopment Agency Board. 

The RAAB consists of nine (9) members of the community, appointed by the Redevelopment Agency Board and representing a diversity of expertise and experience relevant to redevelopment. Specific membership requirements are:

• At least one (1) representative from each designated redevelopment area, providing direct insight from those impacted by redevelopment efforts.
• Members may be residents, property owners, business owners, or individuals with professional experience in fields relevant to redevelopment including but not limited to transportation, urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public finance, commercial real estate, historic preservation, arts and culture, and economic development.