Reno City Council has voted to rezone 12 acres on Virginia Street that could allow Station Casinos to double the size of a gaming and entertainment center the company is planning to develop next to the land.
The petition for re-designating the parcel from “mixed use” to “tourism commercial” was filed by the property’s owner, Fire Creek Crossing, not by Station. And while the application did not specify any planned use, Station stands to be its principal beneficiary. The Las Vegas-based locals gaming giant has unveiled plans for its site just east of the parcel that include 90,000-square-foot facility with more than 20,000 square feet of casino space, a sports book and sports bar, mobile betting kiosks, a five-screen cinema and a bowling alley.
Initial plans for a 500-room hotel were scratched after Station deemed them unfeasible economically. But at least one council member expressed the hope that the zoning change next door will change that.
It was not known at the time of council’s vote if Station has or is seeking an option to buy the re-designated parcel, currently occupied by two abandoned big box retail stores and an Applebee’s restaurant.
