Jacobs Entertainment presented plans to abandon portions of a north-south alley and a short east-west segment in downtown Reno to consolidate parcels for four turf soccer fields, prompting an extended board Q&A about access, public benefit and neighborhood character.

The presentation, led by Garrett Gordon on behalf of Jacobs, said the company owns parcels on both sides of the alley and argued the abandonment would not cause "material injury to the public." Gordon said the fields would allow families and tournaments into downtown and support retail by bringing people to the area. "We the 1 legal finding for an abandonment is no material injury to the public," Gordon said; he also stated Jacobs has invested "close to $1,000,000,000" in the area.

Board members focused on whether the fenced fields would be accessible to pedestrians when not in scheduled use and whether the proposal would further concentrate large, event-oriented blocks that remain dormant outside events. "I'm generally in support of all the development that's happening in that part of town, but I would like to share some concerns about the mix and how this relates to consolidating parcels and having large, singular, whole-block developments," said Maya Johnson, who urged developers to prioritize mixed-use and a 24/7 pedestrian experience.

Gordon said the soccer fields would be fenced for safety and protection of artificial turf—"it's over $1,000,000 a piece to put in artificial turf"—but that the design could include see-through fencing or bollards to allow pedestrian circulation. He added that a traffic study is being prepared for the soccer fields themselves; "a traffic study isn't required for an abandonment because it's not really a use that for trips," he said. Gordon also cited a study he said shows the community is "52 flat fields short," and argued that local soccer organizations could use the turf year-round.

Board members also asked about shade, lights, ball-containment systems and restrooms. Gordon said no shade structures are currently proposed, temporary or existing poles might provide lighting, nets or taller fences would be considered behind goals to prevent balls from entering adjacent streets, and staff is requiring bathroom facilities and hydrology/runoff reports as part of the entitlement process.

The board did not take a vote on the abandonment tonight. Staff liaison Cali Shy told the board the item is tentatively scheduled for the Jan. 28 City Council meeting for further review and formal consideration. Gordon said staff is reviewing Jacobs' reports and that the company looks forward to continuing work with the NAB and city staff.

Next steps: staff review is ongoing and the project may move to City Council consideration; board members requested additional design detail on pedestrian access, bollards, fencing type and plans to encourage mixed-use development around the event spaces.