The University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno landscape and its surrounding area continue to transform as the Gateway precinct expands to Interstate 80. The University Gateway, part of the University's Master Plan, will be a vibrant retail- and academic-oriented neighborhood center 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 Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County began work this spring on Virginia Street between I-80 and the West Stadium Parking Complex on sidewalk improvements, restriping roadways, adding RAPID Bus Stations and installing a roundabout. With slower traffic and pedestrian flow this spring as a result of stay-at-home orders due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the has made fast headway on its improvements and is ahead of schedule with plans to wrap up construction by mid-fall.
The University issues more than 10,000 parking permits annually with a current surplus of 1,300 permits. Projected student and faculty growth indicates that by 2021, that number will drop to a surplus of 600 permits. The Gateway Parking Complex will add an additional 814 parking spots at the south end of campus. The design concept calls for a seven-story structure with a proposed ADA compliant pedestrian bridge to connect from the fourth story of the parking complex.
The parking complex architects are Watry Design, Incorporated, and work is being performed by Clark/Sullivan Construction, a Construction Manager at Risk construction delivery method.
Construction will begin this fall and is estimated to be completed in spring 2022. The structure will be 250,000 square feet and is estimated to cost $33.2 million. The cost of the complex will be paid with funds the University receives from parking permit sales.
The complex will initially include 40 hourly spaces (with pay-by-number and pay-by-phone options), 17 disabled spaces, two electric vehicle spaces, motorcycle parking, blue-light emergency phones, and other features.
Two memorial trees of 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 9th Street stairs, will remain.
The University continues to limit permit increases to inflation-based adjustments and will institute the ÁùºÏ±¦µä System of Higher Education approved permit fees this fiscal year by three percent. The increase will be included in permits sold starting July 1, 2020.
