There's new apartment housing coming to downtown Reno. Las Vegas-based Siegel Suites is expanding in Northern Nevada. It's an apartment community with what they call “flexible-stay living.”
Right now there are new signs going up advertising the Siegel Suites Nevadan. The building was recently purchased, by the Siegel Group, along with the Virginian across the street. Both were previously owned by the Cal-Neva. Owners tell us its apartment housing that will offer flexible stays for residents anywhere from a week, to years.
“Siegel Suites is an apartment building that offers fully furnished apartments with all utilities included, including cable TV with premium channels. There is a 30 day minimum commitment to live with us then after 30 days our tenants can stay a short or long as they would like to. They also have the flexibility to pay weekly or monthly, whichever is best for them,” said Senior Vice President Michael Crandall.
Some local business owners we spoke with didn't want to go on camera but they told us that they think the optional housing apartment plan would be a step backwards from the downtown revitalization project."
Reno Tattoo Company wasn't as shy with their opinion, saying it could be a bad idea. "I think that if they're long term apartments it would be a step forward. But short term, I think that's definitely a step backwards. There already is a kind of an issue with some people loitering around and stuff. That kind of doesn't give us the best image downtown. Like some druggies and things like that,” said owner Jordan Isaacson.
Others say it's good to fill up empty buildings. "As far as opening up vacant buildings and putting people in them. It's got to be a plus for downtown Reno,” said Bob Martini of Reno Pizza. "As long as they keep it upscale."
People are already living at the Siegel Suites Nevadan. Siegel reps told us they're hoping to open up the Virginian sometime this year with apartments up top and offices along with possible stores at the bottom. "If they are trying to put in even more apartments and things like that -- there needs to be a grocery store downtown,” said Isaacson.
Reno City Hall is located right next to the Virginian and across the street from the Siegel Suites Nevadan. Channel 2 News asked for a comment from the city which initially said “At this time we are not aware of any proposal at the City of Reno of the Siegel group's moving forward. However we hope that it fits in with our downtown and our vision for the future.”
About an hour later, the city gave another response to Channel 2 News from Mayor Hillary Schieve saying “The city is extremely concerned with advertisements that are popping up. Based on an advertisement that we have seen recently we have some serious concerns about their intentions. This does not fit in with our vision for downtown.”
One thing that everyone seems to agree on is the focus to keep downtown booming with more business opportunities. "A little bit more down in the midtown but I think they're trying to carry that up here and move north. I think that's great for us,” said Isaacson. “I think it's kind of essential if you want to keep downtown alive.”
Siegel Suites owns more than 5,000 apartment units from Las Vegas to Reno, including two locations in Sparks.
