Garrett Gordon, legal counsel for Jacobs Entertainment, told the Reno City Council that projects in the Neon Line mixed‑use entertainment district are progressing and outlined a new sports tourism plan aimed at bringing tournaments and visitors downtown.

Gordon said Jacobs has met conditions in the 2021 development agreement: street‑light design standards will be installed when the Regional Transportation Commission upgrades West Fourth Street, and the company has provided the minimum EV charging stations required by the development agreement. “We are in compliance at both the J resort upgrades as well as the Arlington apartments,” Gordon said.

Gordon reviewed activity at the Glow Plaza and J Resorts Festival Grounds, reporting seven concert events in 2025 and multiple community events including a Reno Running Company race (about 3,000 participants), Juneteenth (about 700) and an Asian Moon Festival (about 3,000). He said the festival grounds have hosted more than 22,000 attendees across multiple events and that the adjacent 245 North Arlington apartments opened March 1, 2025, with 60 units and about 80% occupancy to date.

Turning to future plans, Gordon announced that Jacobs Entertainment and partners have formed the Downtown Reno Amateur Sports Association to construct up to 12 soccer and lacrosse fields over six years, with phase 1 consisting of four flat, artificial turf fields targeted to open next summer and the first tournaments scheduled for June 2026. Gordon said three of the first four field sites are secured in a block between Second Street and the railroad tracks, between Washington and Ralston; the fourth potential site is under discussion as a public‑private partnership. He said the first tournament would plan for roughly 140–150 teams and estimated that families spend about $1,000 per trip on average.

Gordon emphasized the economic rationale for youth sports, citing national studies and local anecdote: “Youth soccer tournaments generate a significant economic impact primarily by bringing sports tourism to local communities,” he said, and forecast demand for downtown hotels during tournament weekends. He also said Jacobs intends to make use of the Glow Plaza for medal ceremonies and community activations.

Council members broadly welcomed the proposal, praising expected downtown activation and youth opportunities. Several council members and community speakers urged Jacobs to consider using natural grass where feasible and to study environmental and heat concerns with artificial turf; others pointed out the advantage of turf for durability and scheduling. Gordon said the planned fields would be high‑end artificial turf for durability and that future phases could consider larger 11v11 fields as site sizes allow.

Council members and Jacobs staff discussed operations and community access: Gordon said Jacobs and partners plan 20–30 tournament weekends a year in the long run, and that local clubs and nonprofit partners such as Reno Apex Soccer Club and High Sierra Lacrosse will be involved in programming and operations. He said efforts are underway to coordinate hotel room blocks and other downtown services to meet anticipated demand.

Council discussion also touched on community access, transportation, noise and hours of operation; council members asked staff to provide additional details on public impacts as plans evolve. No land‑use approvals or amendments were requested at the meeting; Gordon said Jacobs would return with updates on timelines and site details as planning continues.