Reclaiming Asphalt Open Space

Just came across this picture* here, which I forgot I had.

 

 If you're not sure what you're looking at -- that is where The District at VIctorian Square is going to go.  A friend once told me of a story involving a city councilman in his home town who was arguing ardently against tearing down a downtown building to make a parking lot, and the gist of the councilman's argument was that he'd never before heard of a parking lot turning into a building.

I've posited before here about Las Vegas and its incredible potential to densify in so many ways (and it's already dense), and that is because there is so much Asphalt Open Space -- the paved surface where cars go but which spends a lot of time empty.  That emptiness leads to the disquieting feeling of emptiness in the greater environment and nowhere is this feeling more exacerbated than in urban downtown settings.

So three cheers for Sparks!  They have encouraged the filling in of holes to provide places for people to live, work, shop and eat.  This well-designed infill project will bring noise, character and vitality to an area which needs it.

One minor update:  Notice the trees and lighting are already in place.   Reno are you taking notes?

Image (c) The District at Victorian Square

* I forgot where I got this picture, so I can't properly attribute. If you own this photo, please let me know so I can attribute or remove it if you wish.

Comments

[Mike Van h]

District at Victorian Square is a good project; that's why it's first phase already sold out.

I wish developers/Reno City staff would take cue from that, and encourage smaller developments instead of megaprojects that never get built.

[Ken]

Preach on brother