Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 | 2 a.m.
Nevada is a sprawling state with most of its people in two population centers. But beyond the reaches of Las Vegas and Reno is a land filled with attractions and history. Some of them, of course, might not be familiar to most Nevadans.
The Sun has reached out to mayors and representatives of the Silver State’s 19 cities, giving them a platform in our pages to talk about their area’s history and attractions and to describe what makes them special and what challenges they face.
Today, we present a Q+A with Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.
Give us a history lesson. What makes your jurisdiction unique?
Reno is unique in many ways. It became a city in 1868 and was named for Union Civil War Gen. Jessie Reno. The “Biggest Little City” was known for quick divorces and was a more popular gaming destination than Las Vegas until the 1960s. The 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics helped put Reno on the map as an incredible outdoor destination. With Lake Tahoe only a short, beautiful 30-minute drive away, Reno is now known for its skiing and outdoor recreation as well as its nightlife. Where else can you ride a breathtaking mountain bike trail in the afternoon, play blackjack at night and ski a black diamond run during the day?
What kind of attractions and events do you have that people may be interested in visiting?
There are 15 ski resorts within a one-hour drive of downtown Reno that surround the majestic beauty of Lake Tahoe.
There are world-class mountain biking and hiking trails, a wide range of golf courses and incredible nightlife from the gaming hotels and the lively midtown shopping and dining district. From the Hot August Nights car show, to the Reno Rodeo, hot air balloon races and the Street Vibrations biker rally — every weekend there is something big and fun happening in the “Biggest Little City.”
What is the biggest challenge facing your jurisdiction?
The biggest challenge is a combination of issues that come together on the streets of Reno — and so many other cities around the nation. The lack of mental health care, combined with drug addiction and a lack of local funding, helps fuel the issue of unhoused people in our community.
Without treatment centers for people suffering from mental health issues, they will often self-medicate with illegal drugs and live on the streets. While funding for mental health often goes to the counties, it’s cities like Reno that feel the burden on services because this population gravitates toward the cities.
While Reno and Washoe County have worked together to create outstanding shelter programs, the problem persists.
The city has also addressed the issue with housing. In terms of housing assistance, between 2022 and today, Reno has added 2,600 apartments and single-family residential housing units and provided $11.7 million in rental assistance funds to support more than 3,600 households.
The city also embarked on a program to spur expedited construction of new housing by reducing more than $5 million in sewer and building fee costs to help create 1,244 new affordable housing units.
What industry is most important to your town’s economy? What about diversifying?
Tourism is still a tremendous driver of the regional economy.
Between gaming, nightlife and incomparable outdoor activities at nearby Lake Tahoe, visitors fill the local casinos and ski resorts. However, Reno’s economy is rapidly diversifying with tech companies, sustainability-related businesses and warehousing leading the way.
What opportunity does your community provide for public education? What challenges does it face?
Reno is Nevada’s college town with the gorgeous campus of UNR just seven blocks from downtown Reno. We have strong public schools, private schools and charter schools.
What challenges do your residents face with health care availability and cost?
While the community is well-served medically by Renown Health, Northern Nevada Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital, mental health care services need to be enhanced.
