Much was discussed at the Reno City Council meeting on Wednesday.
Yori Avenue is getting a makeover after the council approved almost ten million dollars for the project.
The 2024 Yori Street Rehabilitation Project is split into two sections.
The north side of the Yori will take place between Mill Street and Bresson Avenue.
The south end will take place between Plumb Lane and Gentry Way.
Residents in the area may already see some work being done right now with water line replacements, but this particular project starts sometime in the spring.
"So, we'll be removing the majority of the concrete out there," said Catie Harrison, Engineering Manager for the City of Reno. "So, sidewalks, driveways, curb and gutter, those will be replaced. There will be some drainage improvement, the catch basins will be upgraded and then we'll be taking out all of the asphalt pavement and be putting in a brand-new road."
The Reno City Council approved the area in 2022 to allow the team to design the project.
Today the contracts were approved to Sierra Nevada Construction.
Yori Avenue North came to $3,074,007, and Yori Avenue South totaled to $5,531,000.
Council also approved $758,310 with Lumos & Associates, Inc. to perform construction engineering services, daily inspection, surveying, and materials testing.
Harrison says this is an area that's needed work for a long time.
"Yori is adjacent to three schools within the limits of these projects so addressing pedestrian connectivity, sidewalk condition and roadway condition was exceptionally important," she said.
The project is expected to finish in the fall.
Another item on the agenda today was a survey on how the community feels about accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals coming to Reno.
Back in November, the council initiated an ordinance for more STRs and ADUs to come to Reno.
They said before an ordinance like this gets adopted, the council and community's input are extremely important.
The survey gathered responses from more than 2,000 community members from January through February.
For those who don't know, ADUs are like a guest house with a kitchen.
Grace Mackendon, Senior Management Analyst, City of Reno, says you can build guest houses, just not with kitchens in most areas.
ADUs are allowed in some parts of Damonte Ranch and Somersett, but are prohibited in most parts of the city.
This ordinance is looking to have them be more accessible.
Mackenson says most people build ADUs for their kid that's in college or for an aging parent.
"The majority of people were in favor of ADUs but when we asked how likely they would be to build one that was mostly uncertain, and I think that's probably due to the cost of construction," she said.
The survey gathered that 1,361 people said ADUs should be allowed.
About 309 said no and 318 said yes, but only in certain areas.
Many people cited concerns with parking, neighborhood compatibility and how the big the units would be.
While favorable for ADUs, short term rentals proved to be a little more contentious.
"Short term rentals, it was still fairly mixed," Mackendon said. "I think a lot of people see those as barriers for affordable housing if we're using them for short term."
According to the survey, 891 people said short term rentals should be allowed.
More than seven hundred said no and 364 said yes but depending on a certain neighborhood.
People expressed concerns with parking, length of stay and parties with them.
After Mackendon presented her findings to the council, they said they would like to see more details brought to them.
So, within the next couple of meetings there will be more updates on if this will move forward.
Other meeting highlights included approving an additional $75,000 to cover legal fees to defend the city in a lawsuit filed by Councilmember Jenny Brekhus and the construction of two new fitness courts for Damonte Ranch Park and Brodhead Memorial Park.
For more information on today's meeting, click the link below.
