Big Reno projects sound exciting, but will they actually get finished?

If you have been following the headlines about Reno, Nevada, it can feel like every other week we are getting a new “game changing” announcement. New arenas, new districts, big conversions downtown, massive industrial campuses, and shiny renderings that make it look like we are about to turn into a mini version of a major metro overnight.

Here is the part nobody loves to say out loud, big announcements are easy. Real development is hard. The hard part is financing it, building it, operating it, and making sure it actually improves daily life instead of just creating bigger, more expensive versions of the same problems people are already complaining about, like traffic, housing costs, and uneven neighborhood investment.

In my world, which is helping families relocate here and choose the right area for their lifestyle, I look at these projects through one simple lens. Will this change the day to day reality of living in Reno and Sparks, and if so, where and how?

Some projects end up being huge wins. Others stall. Some finish, but do not deliver what people hoped. Reno has a track record for all three outcomes, which is why it is smart to stay optimistic, but not naive.

The best “proof” that Reno can pull off big projects, TRIC

If you want one modern example of Reno region development that went from “no way that works” to “okay, that is real, ” it is the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, often called TRIC. It is out off USA Parkway, about halfway between Sparks and Fernley, and technically it is not in Reno proper, not in Sparks, and not in Washoe County either. But in terms of impact on jobs, growth, and infrastructure pressure, it has absolutely been a defining project for the region.

One of the best pieces of advice from the conversation is a simple one. If you are local, or if you are thinking about moving here, go drive it. Take USA Parkway and actually look at what is out there now. It is a different world than it was before the big employers showed up.

Why TRIC worked, anchor tenants and momentum

The success story inside TRIC is really the “anchor store” effect. Tesla was the anchor, and once that backbone was in place, a lot of other companies followed. Data centers, industrial operations, logistics, and a whole ecosystem of jobs built around that corridor. That is how real projects become real communities, not just news headlines.

A quick local anecdote that still makes me laugh, because it is so Reno. When Tesla was first proposed, people were freaking out. The vibe was basically, “There is no way this works, it is going to be a waste of money, and it is going to change everything.” Then it actually happened, and now you can drive out there and see how many operations are already up and running.

Key takeaway: When you have a legitimate anchor and long term corporate commitment, the odds of follow through go way up.

The downside of success, the commute and I 80 pressure

Success has a cost, and in the TRIC case that cost is the drive. Anyone commuting from Reno or Sparks out to USA Parkway knows what I am talking about. That stretch of I 80 east between Reno, Sparks, and USA Parkway is going to have to change. It is not optional. More jobs out there means more daily traffic, more freight movement, and more stress on a corridor that has physical constraints, mountains on one side and the Truckee River on the other in sections.

This is one of those areas where I tell relocating buyers to slow down and think. Your job location and your tolerance for a commute should influence where you live. If you work out by USA Parkway, the “right” neighborhood might be different than if you work in South Reno or downtown.

Midtown Reno, a real world example of “one step back, two steps forward”

If TRIC is a regional story, Midtown is a lifestyle story. Midtown Reno is one of the most visible examples of a redevelopment process that was painful in the middle, but has created a more vibrant district over time.

Midtown started with road construction and street improvements. And here is the honest part, during that phase some businesses struggled, some relocated, and some did not make it. When streets are torn up, access is limited, and parking is disrupted, it can be brutal for small business.

But after the work, Midtown got the facelift. More restaurants, more color, more foot traffic, more reasons to hang out. That energy has continued to spread in the direction of downtown, and it has helped create the sense that central Reno is becoming more livable and more “sticky, ” meaning people do not just pass through, they stay, meet friends, walk around, and spend time.

What Midtown means for buyers and homeowners

If you are house hunting, Midtown is a great example of why you should evaluate a neighborhood based on where it is going, not just where it has been. The improvements can lift demand, and demand can impact values, rent potential, and long term desirability.

That said, it can also change the feel of an area. A quieter pocket near Midtown might become a busier pocket. So if you want walkability and restaurants, you may love it. If you want peace and quiet, you may prefer a little more distance.

If you want to compare parts of town, we keep our neighborhood guides updated here: https://thelessingerteam.com/neighborhoods

Downtown conversions, higher upside, higher risk

Downtown Reno is where the risk conversation gets real, because a lot of what needs to happen downtown involves converting older buildings and reinventing properties that were built for a different era. Some of those buildings still feel like they have not been updated since the 1980s, and renovating at that scale is expensive.

The Harrah’s building is a perfect example. It is iconic, it is impossible to miss, and it is exactly the type of project people want to see succeed because it can bring more residents downtown, which then creates more demand for services, safer streets, better retail, and more investment.

But it has also had glitches and delays, and that is not shocking. Converting a massive older building is hard. You are dealing with modern building requirements, cost overruns, and the reality that you often have to pause or shut down portions of a structure to do major work. When the project is that big, every delay is expensive.

What should buyers take from the downtown debate?

Two things can be true at once. Downtown can be improving, and downtown can still need improvement. If you are thinking about living downtown, you want to evaluate it block by block, not by a broad label. One street can feel energized, another can feel empty, and a third might be in a major transition.

Key takeaway: Downtown projects tend to be higher risk, but the upside can be meaningful if the pieces come together.

The Park Lane area, a long wait, then real momentum

Another case study is the old Park Lane Mall site, sometimes referred to as the RED development. This is just off the south end of Midtown. The mall was torn down a long time ago, and then the site sat vacant for what felt like forever, well over a decade.

Now it is turning into something people actually use, with newer buildings and a more modern feel. We are seeing more people down there, more activity, more positive feedback, and it is landing at a location that connects nicely with Midtown and central Reno.

I am a big believer in building cities from the inside out. When you strengthen the core, meaning downtown, Midtown, and the neighborhoods inside the McCarran loop, you create a healthier foundation. You also help protect the charm of older neighborhoods, where people love the character homes, tree lined streets, and established community feel.

Grand Sierra Resort arena district, big hole in the ground, big bets on entertainment

If you drive the freeway, you have probably seen it. There is a very real, very visible “big hole in the ground” situation happening near the Grand Sierra Resort. That is the tell. This is not just a concept, it is underway.

What is planned is more than just a basketball arena. The conversation points to a roughly 10, 000 seat venue, which honestly is a size that makes sense for Reno, Nevada. You want a venue that can attract solid entertainment, sports, and events, but you also want one that the region can realistically fill on a consistent basis.

There is also talk of additional mixed use elements, including residential and commercial components. So the goal is an entertainment district, not a single purpose building that sits empty half the year.

Why this location is logical

Even if you are skeptical about big projects, the location choice is at least defensible. You have highway access right there, and the Grand Sierra area has room for parking and circulation. Think about what Las Vegas did placing a major stadium close to freeway access. Reno is obviously a smaller scale, but the access principle is similar.

Key takeaway: Entertainment projects are partly about quality of life, but they also test the economy. They require people with discretionary spending, and they require visitors who want a reason to come here.

A new soccer stadium, another sign that growth is not slowing down

Another visible project is the soccer stadium plan, going where an older Ford building is being demolished. For Reno, a roughly 6, 000 seat stadium is meaningful, and it fits the pattern we often see. Cities start with smaller professional or semi professional sports, then build a stronger event calendar over time.

And like most stadium projects, the stadium itself is only part of the story. The ripple effects can include nearby restaurants, pre and post event activity, and redevelopment of adjacent parcels that were previously underutilized.

So what could derail these projects, the honest list

This is the part that matters if you are planning a move, buying a house, or investing in a neighborhood that you think will benefit from a nearby project. A lot of Reno’s current momentum depends on the broader economy cooperating.

Here are the big categories that can slow things down or change timelines.

• Economic slowdown: Big venues and mixed use districts need consumer spending and business confidence.
• Interest rates and financing: Development is expensive, and higher borrowing costs can pause or shrink projects.
• Housing market signals: Buying and selling activity often reflects local economic health and household confidence.
• Infrastructure lag: If roads and access points cannot keep up, public pressure can grow, and timelines can shift.
• Execution risk in older buildings: Downtown conversions can hit unexpected costs and code requirements fast.

Also, a very Reno specific reality, construction fatigue is real. Road projects frustrate people. That frustration can turn into political pressure, which can impact how quickly supporting infrastructure gets funded and built.

New construction in Reno and Sparks, steady, controlled, and worth watching

In the middle of all this, one area that has been comparatively steady is new home construction. Builders are active, and it is not just one or two names. You have national builders and local builders pushing projects across the region, including places like Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and Minden.

What is different right now is that construction feels more controlled. Homes are being built, but timelines can still be long. It is not unusual to see completion estimates of eight or nine months on certain new builds, depending on the neighborhood and the phase.

We are also seeing more builder incentives and specials than you might expect, which can matter if you are weighing resale versus new construction. But I will keep saying this, talk to a Realtor before you walk into a new home sales office, because the on site team works for the builder, not for you. It is not adversarial, it is just reality.

If you want to talk through new builds, resale options, and how nearby projects could influence an area, reach out to us.

Where growth hits hardest, and where it matters less

Not every neighborhood feels these projects the same way. If you buy in a more established pocket of Reno, you might notice some general city growth, but you may not be directly impacted by a new stadium or a new commercial district.

If you prefer newer neighborhoods, or you want to be closer to where the region is expanding, you need to pay more attention. Growth often concentrates in places like:

• Northwest Reno
• Spanish Springs
• Sparks, Nevada growth corridors
• South Reno

These are the areas where new rooftops, new retail, and new road projects can change your commute patterns and your daily routines. If you want to research areas before visiting, start here: https://thelessingerteam.com/neighborhoods

What out of state buyers usually ask, and what they often do not know yet

When families call us from California, Oregon, or Washington, most of the time they are not asking detailed questions about individual development projects. They are asking practical questions first, about safety, schools, commute, weather, and which parts of town fit their budget.

Many do not realize how much is in motion until they come tour the city. Then it becomes obvious, especially with visible projects like the Grand Sierra site and the stadium demo areas. That is when the conversation shifts from “Is Reno growing?” to “Where exactly is it growing, and will that affect me?”

One thing I tell people is simple. Cranes are usually a sign a city is investing in itself. That does not mean every project will be perfect, but it does mean there is momentum.

If you want more on what it is actually like living here, including the tradeoffs, check out the channel.

Conclusion, optimistic, practical, and paying attention to the right details

Reno, Nevada is in a growth phase, and the growth is not stopping anytime soon. The region has proven it can land major projects, TRIC is the obvious example, and Midtown shows how painful construction can lead to a better end result. At the same time, downtown conversions like the Harrah’s building remind us that older building projects carry more risk and more variables.

If you are considering a move, the smartest approach is not to obsess over renderings, or dismiss everything as hype. Instead, look at what is already under construction, evaluate how it could change traffic and daily life, and pick a neighborhood that matches your tolerance for change.

We will keep breaking these topics down in a practical way, because it is easier to make a confident home decision when you understand what is happening around you. If you want to keep reading, explore other posts, and if you want a deeper dive into specific parts of town, start here: https://thelessingerteam.com/neighborhoods. And when you are ready to talk about your move, reach out to us.

> as a city I feel like we did our best to support it and I don't think any of us really knew what was going to go with it because no we we had never done anything like that >> and the fact that over the last however many years it has become as big as it has and is still slated to get even bigger has been both a good thing and obviously there are certain drawbacks. We have a little bit more traffic now but for the most part I think it's been a really positive thing for us. Well, I think the people that are driving out there every day for work now, those are going to be projects that we're going to do over the next 5 years where they've got to do something with 80 east of town between Reno Sparks and USA Parkway. So, that would be one of those failing things. But if you drive on that road, you'll see some of that's going to be really easy to expand. Some of not so much. You got mountains on the left, you got the Truckucky River running on the right, you know, you've got basically two lanes each direction. But if you turn right onto that USA Parkway, it is crazy how many things are already out there. All kinds of different companies. So whether it is data centers, whether it is more just your industrial type companies, there's a lot of stuff out there and it's not going away. So they're going to have to figure this out over the next 3 to 5 years as far as that stuff goes. But I think of Tesla as kind of like the old school mall. They were the anchor store and then all these other companies started coming. Yeah. They're the J Penney. They're the ones that like got Reno on the map and then with that other companies started coming here. So I personally think it's a win. I'm sure there's lots of people that would disagree with what we have to say there, but it's something that started this really making us what we always jokingly call now Reno is kind of the Bay Area's back office where a lot of tech companies that are smaller that people maybe never heard of came here and it's one of those jobs come, growth comes. Not everybody loves it, but it is one of those massive projects where for a city to be healthy, it kind of does need to keep growing and keep expanding and create that tax base. And we're going to talk about this in some other videos and it's a reason why a lot of people from California and Oregon and Washington come here whether it's for political reasons, you know, income tax reasons, lots of different stuff. So, but let's talk about a project that we talked about in the video from a few weeks back, which is about Midtown and Midtown. You're one of the people that goes down and uses Midtown on a regular basis and it started off kind of as a road construction project and then what kind of happened? >> Midtown, I mean, it it sort of had a facelift a little bit just like downtown starting to happen and tons of new restaurants. I mean obviously like we had talked about earlier when the road construction was happening certain businesses did really struggle did have issues relocated. >> Exactly. So it wasn't always a good thing. It has become a better thing and it's slowly becoming a better and better thing as they're expanding more into downtown. There's more restaurants. There's more things to do. There's just more. It's more vibrant. There's a lot more color. >> It's always always say it's always the one step back for two steps forward. And because of that when you're taking the one step back and you're going through it, it's a pain in the rear. It's like people don't want to go through it. And unfortunately, some business owners get caught up in it cuz while they were doing all that road construction and putting in those roundabouts and putting on those new roads, some businesses went out of business or some businesses had to relocate. But once it's done and it starts to pick up and thrive, I think a lot of business owners that are down there now, you know, we'd have to ask them specifically, but it seems like most of them now are feeling good about it and they're winning. And of course it is leaking into those downtown areas which is another area we want to talk about because if you talk about the project we said where the Harris building was was basically a hotel. We've seen this in the past where some of the old hotels like the mont you know it's now the montage where it's condos and people started living downtown and all you have to do is watch the comments in our videos about downtown. People have their their say about it's good, it's bad, it's it's it's gotten better. Yes, >> it needs improvement. But what can we tell them about that Hara's building that they're working on? This is one of those projects that was one that we keep thinking is going to get done. It's had its glitches. It's not really gotten where it needs to go. What would you tell them? >> Yeah, I think it's obviously an iconic and a pretty historic building here in Northern Nevada. I mean, you see it every it's hard to avoid, but I think if it can actually >> get done, >> get done, it will be a very good thing. So, this one's obviously a little bit riskier of a thing for us to be doing because it's had some potential in the past. Didn't quite get there. and now we're trying again kind of a thing. And I think it's necessary though. I think at some point, I mean, you walk around any of the older buildings in downtown, they've all been there for a long time. Some of them still have the 80s carpet and they still have some crazy things going on on the inside. But imagine when you have to close a building that big down to be able to do these facelifts in these projects. The amount of money that it takes to do something like that. So, it's a little bit riskier of a project for us to do for sure, but I think it's going to be very beneficial and a very positive thing once it's completed. And if they can get more people living downtown, it just makes more reasons why they'll keep improving the downtown. But anytime you do one of these conversions of an old building, it definitely is has its challenges. And then there's all these, you know, modern-day requirements that end up getting expensive. And it's like, does it make it cost effective to even do these projects, which leads us into some of the things that are causing potentially to have problems with some of those. So, if you're someone who's thinking about moving to Northern Nevada, do me a favor. Click the link in description below. We'll get you a copy of our free buyer guide. That'll get you some great info to start your journey to Reno, Nevada. If you go from that downtown, we talked about Midtown, and now you go to that what we call, you know, the red project where you get just off of Midtown. We've talked about this one before, too. That was the old Park Lane Mall that got torn down forever ago. So, they didn't have to remodel an old building. It all got torn apart and taken away, but then it sat vacant for >> a decade plus it did. But now, it's kind of this cool thing. So, it it's right on that south end of of Midtown where it's just kind of leading more towards the middle of town where there's good things happening. We've talked about this one seems to be quite successful. >> Yes, I have seen a bunch of people down there. We're getting a lot of positive talks about it and you see a lot more um it's a lot more populous. Like people are actually actively trying to go down there all of the time. A lot of the newer buildings have been absolutely excellent and there's a couple that I still need to go and walk through that I haven't even quite seen yet that it's been positive though and I think that project was definitely a success and something that was necessary for us. >> I always think if you can build cities from the inside out, >> right? So the more that we can make Midtown, downtown, central Reno, everything inside the McCarron loop from the University all the way to the south end of McCarron, yeah, those areas, the more that projects and good things can happen in there, the better. People love those older homes. So you slowly see those old neighborhoods where homes get remodeled, but it's trying to work out on all those different kind of projects, which as again, you come further south and it's a little more east of it is the Grand Sier Resort. And so if you drive on the freeway right now, this is a project where people people have had their opinions about it, but there's a freaking big ass hole in the ground and it's happening. So what can we tell because it's not just >> I hate to call it a basketball arena, but what can you tell people more about? There's a whole bunch of stuff going on over there that we think this is going to be a really good thing. >> Yes, we hear people constantly saying they want more sports, they want more entertainment, they want bigger bands to be able to come here, bigger comedians, they want a place for that to be. and Macki Stadium at our university wasn't really cutting it. So now we're doing something different. We're adding this in as part of the entertainment. And the Grand Sier was honestly I feel like the best place for it to be. They had the most upside in terms of being able to have parking, make it easy. Your access to the highway is right there. >> We're going to find out. >> Exactly. I that is a preemptive hopeful it's going to be good in the future, but we're not obviously sure how it's going to end up. But I think it's going to be a really good thing. Hopefully it draws a lot of people here. And honestly, who knows? Maybe we'll have a little bit of reverse where Californians are coming here to go to a concert versus us in reverse. >> And it's not going to be huge. I think it's going to be around 10, 000 ft or 10, 000. >> I think it's going to be a good size for what we are capable of being able to fill. >> And there is going to be some residential over there. There's going to be some mixeduse commercial. So, it's not just an arena. There's going to be some stuff there. And it's funny because I thought of the same thing like in Las Vegas where they built the football stadium basically right off the freeway. This is going to be the same thing. And as you come further south towards Reno as we were driving here today to shoot videos, you can see they're knocking down the old Ford building to put up a, you know, for Reno, I think it's going to be like 6, 000 seat soccer stadium. Yes. >> I don't know what level of soccer yet. I haven't paid that close attention, but it's happening. And these are those things where you start off with, you know, more minor league type sports and it starts to attract more things. So, you're seeing those projects. Again, a nice project in an area that was an older cruddy building that's now being torn down. They're going to put up a whole new thing and there's going to be, I imagine, restaurants, all that kind of stuff that happens around it. And honestly, I I think it would be pretty safe to say to tell people that are moving to Northern Nevada, the growth isn't stopping anytime soon. You and I had done a little bit of research and we're we're one of the faster growing cities in the United States right now, which is great for us. Growth is a positive >> sometimes. I get it. You do get your drawbacks. You have the construction, you have all the things, but >> so I think these projects are all low risk. They're going to be good projects. I think the more it's old conversion buildings and more downtown, it's more high risk. And with that being said, the other project that we're talking about that I don't think there's necessary risk or not, but there are things that have to happen is that you see this road construction everywhere where I think a lot of these projects are going to be finished sooner than later, whether it's going to the north valleys, whether it's going out towards, you know, Sparks and those areas. But that next one that's going to happen, they probably are going to start within the next year or two, is that huge project they're going to have to do going east and figure that out because over the years as we did the Spaghetti Bowl and the Southeast Connector, we've worked on all those things. So >> with that being said, what would be the downfalls? What would be some of the things that would cause some of this stuff not to happen? >> I think if our economy starts to have an issue, like if we start to dip a little bit for whatever reason, um [clears throat] we we do need the economy obviously to support these big projects because you can't have a soccer arena if nobody has the money to be able to go and buy soccer tickets to go see all of the things that are coming into town. I think if we have interest rates having an issue, I think if you sort of look at how people are buying and selling houses, it sort of tells you how your economy is going. I mean, obviously those are directly correlated to one another, but >> with all of the entertainment and things that we have coming, just keeping an eye on how our taxes are structured, making sure that these projects are going, how they're supposed to be, trying to be safe, honestly. I mean, I get it, the road construction's a little annoying, but just, you know, try to take it easy on each other. And with all that being said, it kind of leads you into what more of our area expertise is, which is the whole new home construction thing. So you see builders, they're still building. They're actually building a little more than they have been in the past, >> little faster, a little sooner. But at the same time, you're still saying we had a client buy a house over the weekend and their new construction home won't be done for eight or nine months, which you did used to see that. So there is this good amount of I don't want to say enough but good amount of new construction happening but in a more controlled way which again to me caused it to be less risky and for people to then understand where they want to be in a in certain areas of town. >> Yeah, we have a lot of builders building and it's honestly it's been really nice to see when I go and I drive around seeing resale houses and I see all of the new home construction coming up between LAR Dr. Horton Tall Brothers Ryder Homes. We have a bunch of local builders that are building in Carson City and Minden. It's happening and it's been lovely to see cuz I feel like there was a stint there for a minute where everyone goes, "Where's all the new houses? Where's all the They're coming. We just slowly but surely. They're doing it a lot faster and a lot differently than I think they've done in the past." Um, they're having more builder specials. I mean, um, >> it's a good thing. But still, talk to a realtor before you go, you know, walking around new home construction. They'll have questions for you. >> So, with all that being said, for those of the people that are looking in an area and they're concerned about all the growth, we're trying to do a good job. I think most these projects are going to be low risk because I think the amount of growth. We're going to start talking a little bit more about why people are coming to Northern Nevada from a lot of the surrounding areas. And if you're someone who's trying to figure out where you want to be, some of these projects, I think, are really going to elevate some of the neighborhoods and some of the areas. Some are going to cause more traffic, more congestion. So, you really want to pay attention where these things are going to be. But for the most part, for people that are looking at older homes, you don't have to worry about this as much because you're going to be more in established areas. But for those of you that like a little bit newer and you want to be either in the northwest, Spanish Springs, Sparks, South Reno, these are the areas you got to pay attention to more because that's where the growth is happening. And I would say for the most part, other than downtown, most of stuff is pretty low risk. What are you seeing? Like when clients are with you or they're reaching out and we get those initial calls, people watching the channel and then we don't know them very well, but they're just those initial calls. What would be some of the questions or concerns that they're asking? Does it ever come up about these big projects or they even know? >> They don't know about the growth yet. So a lot of the time I try to be very transparent about that kind of stuff and obviously when you drive through town two of those projects are very obvious. Grantier is obvious and where the soccer stadium's going in will soon be obvious. I mean they're doing demo right now so it's not quite like oh this is what's happening but I try to talk about that like when we first go and tour the city together and they've been watching our YouTube videos by then usually people find and have enough [clears throat] knowledge to ask but sometimes they have no idea. So you just kind of have to coach them up and say basically this is what's sort of trying to happen. This is what it used to look like. This is the projection. And most of the time people are actually pretty excited about it. >> Yeah. I always say if you see cranes in a downtown or you see cranes being used, that's a city that's going in the right direction. Things are being built and you're seeing cranes here in Northern Nevada. So if you have specific questions about specific projects, reach out to us. There's probably other projects that are a little smaller scale that we didn't even mention today, but I think most of the stuff here is pretty low risk. And if they have questions about that, reach out to us. Sydney, thanks for coming on as always. So, if you're someone who's trying to find out more about the projects that are going on here in Northern Nevada, check out this video we did right here that'll talk about some of the