RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The Reno City Council received a detailed look today at the aging infrastructure of the Virginia Street Arch, which has served as the city’s primary landmark since 1987. Maintenance Director Travis Truhill explained that while the current version is a landmark rather than a historic icon, it requires significant investment to remain functional, currently costing the city $20,000 a year in general fund money to maintain. The proposed $1.5 million modernization would replace the current manual lighting with an automated LED system, potentially saving on the eight-hour labor process currently required for every color change.
Before the million-dollar price tag was revealed during the presentation, Mayor Hillary Schieve expressed strong support for the investment. She noted that the Arch is the most identifiable gathering place in the city and argued that the landmark should not be maintained in a “piecemeal” fashion. The Mayor emphasized that the city needs to make a significant initial investment now to prevent even larger repair costs over time, especially as visitors frequently use the site for photos and community gatherings.
The discussion also highlighted ongoing technical failures with the Arch’s neon lighting. According to city staff, the system frequently shorts out during rain or high moisture events, and there is currently no known fix for the aging components. While the average annual maintenance cost is relatively low at $20,000, the city currently charges promoters $4,400 every time the bulbs are changed to a different color for special events. Recent weather damage—including a $15,000 repair following high winds in December—and the wear and tear from manual bulb swaps have prompted the push for a permanent technological fix.
Next Steps and Timeline
The proposal is now headed to the Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board for a critical budget discussion. That meeting is scheduled for next week…