The University of Nevada, the landscape of Reno and surrounding areas continue to transform as the Gateway District stretches to Interstate 80. The University Gateway, which is part of the master plan of the University, will be a vibrant neighborhood center focused on retail and education developed primarily by the University. It will extend campus life south of the current campus, in the area between 9th Street and Interstate 80.
The Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission began work on Virginia Street between I-80 and the West Stadium Parking Complex this spring to improve sidewalks, redeploy roads, add RAPID bus stations and install a roundabout. . With slower traffic and pedestrian flow this spring due to stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus outbreak, the RTC transit extension project has progressed rapidly in its improvements and is ahead of schedule. schedule with plans to complete construction by mid-fall.
The University issues more than 10,000 parking permits per year with a current surplus of 1,300 permits. Projected growth in students and faculty indicates that by 2021 that number will drop to a surplus of 600 permits. The Gateway parking complex will add 814 additional parking spaces to the south end of the campus. The design concept provides for a seven-story structure with a proposed ADA-compliant pedestrian bridge to connect from the fourth floor of the parking complex.
The architects for the parking complex are Watry Design, Incorporated, and the work is being performed by Clark / Sullivan Construction, a construction manager at the Hazardous Construction Delivery Method.
Construction will begin this fall and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2022. The structure will measure 250,000 square feet at an estimated cost of $ 33.2 million. The cost of the complex will be paid with funds the University receives from the sale of parking permits.
The complex will initially include 40 hourly spaces (with pay-by-number and phone-based options), 17 disabled spaces, two electric vehicle spaces, motorcycle parking, blue light emergency telephones and other features. .
Two memorial trees from the University Arboretum, one in memory of Eugene S. Faust and the other in memory of Jim and Cleo Ronald, which are located at the bottom of the stairs on 9th Street, will remain .
The University continues to limit license increases to adjustments based on inflation and will institute the license fee approved by the Nevada System of Higher Education this fiscal year at three percent. The increase will be included in permits sold as of July 1, 2020.