Council votes to raze landmark

RENO -- The Mapes Hotel is a major step closer to its final chapter as a downtown landmark.

The Reno City Council rejected three last-ditch bids to buy the historic building and voted 5-2 late Monday to tear it down.

The move apparently ends a decade of debate and failed offers to save the vacant hotel-casino.

"Its time to let go of this thing," Mayor Jeff Griffin said. "There is no white knight." Griffin and council members Dave Rigdon, Sherrie Doyle, Bill Newberg and Tom Herndon favored demolition.

Councilmen Pierre Hascheff and Dave Aiazzi argued in favor of continuing to pursue one of the three proposals for purchase and renovation.

archive