Parts of the former Reno Community Assistance Center on Record Street are now rubble as demolition has begun on the former shelter.
The two-part compound was completed between 2005 and 2007, and built to last 50 to 100 years, but after regional homelessness services moved to the county during the pandemic, the City of Reno decided to sell it all for a future housing project.
The City is now taking on the upfront financial responsibility for the demolition.
Ulysses Development has agreed to reimburse $670,000 or the actual demolition cost, whichever is less, after its purchase to buy the land closes. It has the option to not finalize the purchase until December next year, meaning construction could be several years away.
Advocates wanted to keep the compound for extra social services, such as a cooling center for hot days like today but were unable to convince the current council to keep it running as a center to help those in need in our community.