The Reno City Council moved to approve Jacobs Entertainment’s proposed J Resort Pedestrian Walkways project during its Oct. 21 meeting.
Jacobs Entertainment is the owner and developer. Odyssey Engineering Incorporated is the civil engineer. Womble Bond Dickinson LLP is providing legal representation. This project previously appeared in a magazine-exclusive NVBEX article.
The project consists of two skyways. One will be over Fourth Street, while the other will be over Ralston Street. The enclosed skyways will be climate-controlled and provide access to the J Resort hotel-casino. Specifically, the skyways will lead to a planned parking garage and pool, spa and fitness center. The parking garage and pool projects have yet to receive approval.
Councilwoman Naomi Duerr had concerns surrounding the design of the archways and it potentially pulling pedestrian traffic away from local businesses on the street.
According to a justification letter submitted by Womble Bond Dickinson, “Pedestrian safety is a central priority in Downtown Reno’s ongoing revitalization efforts, particularly as increased density, tourism, and mixed-use development intensify in the area. The proposed Pedestrian Walkways are designed to address this need through a proactive approach that separates pedestrian circulation from vehicular travel, thereby enhancing overall public safety.”
Jacobs intends to finish the project within the next 36 months, which includes both architectural work and construction.
