Reno to install seven ADA pedestrian ramps with $186,809 in CDBG funds; contract awarded to KP Construction

Reno City Manager Jackie Bryant said the City Council recently approved the city’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action and that the city is moving forward with a small infrastructure project funded through that program.

“CDBG is the week where we draw attention to the Community Development Block Grant program, which is what CDBG stands for,” Monica Kirk, Director of Human Services and Housing and Neighborhood Development, said, explaining the HUD program provides funding to cities for projects that benefit low- to moderate-income residents, including housing, public services and infrastructure.

John Smith, senior civil engineer in Public Works, described the pedestrian ramp project the CDBG funds will support: “Well be installing seven ADA pedestrian ramps with this project at five different locations around the city of Reno that will improve both our accessibility and our overall pedestrian safety.” He said the city awarded the construction contract to KP Construction and that the contract amount is $186,809.

The ramps are intended to bring existing crossings into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by addressing slope, width, landing areas and detectable warning surfaces for people with visual impairments, officials said. Smith said audible signals will be incorporated at the locations where upgrades occur.

Officials said the five locations selected from the citys inventory of noncompliant ramps are Stead Boulevard and Mount Anderson Street; West 7th Street and Wyoming Avenue; Robin Street near Snora Drive; Ralston Street at West 6th Street; and Skyline Boulevard at Cashill Boulevard. Staff told the podcast the Reno Access Advisory Committee provided input used to prioritize locations based on proximity to schools, medical facilities, senior centers and pedestrian traffic.

Smith said the project has completed public bidding, construction is expected to begin shortly and wrap up this spring. He told listeners to expect temporary, localized impacts during work and said the city will set up pedestrian detours and publish notices on its social media channels to minimize disruption.

City officials framed the project as part of a continuing ADA transition effort: the citys ADA transition plan, adopted in 2015, guides updates to sidewalks and crossings as infrastructure is upgraded. Jackie Bryant closed the episode by noting additional items on a future council agenda, including potential approval of ADA-compliant restrooms at the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot and infrastructure agreements at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility.

Actions and next steps: council approved the CDBG action plan item for 2026 and the city awarded the construction contract to KP Construction; the transcript did not include a vote tally. The city will coordinate contractor work, post detour information and update residents via the Reno social channels and city web pages.