Downtown Reno provides an overabundance of photographic opportunity. From the varied people and activities to the unique architecture of its motels and churches. But now we have one less motel and one more empty lot.
The Town House Motor Lodge has suffered the same fate of at least nine other motels in recent years, including the Lido Inn, the Stardust Lodge, and the Mardi Gras Motor Lodge, among others, bought up by Jacobs Entertainment and then bulldozed leaving piles of fenced off dirt. This empty lot syndrome has displaced hundreds of people who relied on motels as their first or last resort from homelessness.
This photo series highlights a sixpweek process of dismantling the Townhouse Motor Lodge. I began when I noticed the windows boarded up and continued until nearly all resemblance of the hotel was gone. Throughout each week, I would stop by and spend an hour walking around photographing the slow process of removing this motel.
This photographic process included interaction with the police, almost resulting in an arrest, an experience many street photographers can relate to.
Now that the Townhouse Motor Lodge has been bulldozed down, what is the fate is for other motels recently bought out by Jacobs Entertainment?
The destroyed motels all featured various architecture, adding to the uniqueness of the Biggest Little City, now destroyed.
Like a scar on the landscape these “gentrification war zones” only serve as a reminder to the growing houseless population in the community.