Projected Spring Opening for The Village on Sage Street

Plans for a low-income housing development in Reno are moving forward, though the project is taking a little longer than originally expected.

"It's a village built by a village," Chris Askin, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Western Nevada said of The Village on Sage Street.

The wet weather has slowed construction at the site this week, but the bulk of the work is done.

"Almost all the utilities are in the ground now and a lot of the hard stuff has happened," Askin said.  "So what we're going to see next is the stuff above ground."

He says those are the projects that will transform the four-acre space near the Reno Public Works property.

"Things like curbs and gutters, walkways, landscaping, parking, that kind of stuff," Askin said.  "It's the things that come last that will make this look good."

The utility work and permitting took a little longer than expected - the original plan was to open the dorm-style housing project late last year. Now, the hope is to see residents there by spring.

"For the Community Foundation, this is the first project of this type," Askin said.  "And if we have people moving in by the end of March or April, that's still twice as fast as it's ever been done. So we're not unhappy."

There are about 170 people on the waiting list so far - and there's still room to sign up at https://www.voa-ncnn.org/sagestreet

"This is providing housing for 224 separate rooms," Askin said.  "A few of the rooms will accommodate couples so as many as 250 people at $400 a month all-inclusive.  It's basically a very inexpensive place for people to live who are earning between 30%-60% of the average median income.

The hope is to help with the city's affordable housing problem.

"Volunteers of America is going to operate this," Askin said.  "There will be an exercise facility and TV lounges, a grab-and-go food store and a dining hall. Outside, there will be a BBQ area and fire pit.  We're looking at putting in horseshoes and other things like that."

They're planning a Grand Opening Celebration when the project is finished.