After multiple failed promises and efforts over the past two decades to revive and put the historical Lear Theater to full time use, including by current city council members, agenda C4 next Wednesday is a “Staff Report (For Possible Action): Presentation, discussion, and direction to staff on the potential disposition, lease, or other direction for the Lear Theater/First Church of Christ, Scientist located at 501 Riverside Drive, Reno, Nevada in response to a Letter of Interest received by Gina Hasler; together with matters which pertain to or are necessarily connected therewith. [City Manager’s Office]”
Hasler is the owner and photographer for GMH Photography as well as the founder of the local Studio Fourteen.
“In February 2025, Council gave direction to staff to sell underutilized properties and directed the Lear Theater/First Church of Christ, Scientist to remain in the City’s inventory at the time due to lack of budgeted funds needed for repairs and/or development,” the staff report with more details for the agenda item indicates.
“Multiple parties have since expressed interest in renovation, development, purchase, or management of the Lear. A letter of interest has been received from Gina Hasler. Staff is seeking direction from Council on next steps for the Lear Theater/First Church of Christ, Scientist. The City of Reno Management Policy covering the Disposition of City-Owned Real Property (eff. 06-25-19), Section IX. C. requires Council to determine if and how the property should be disposed.”
On its own website the City of Reno has a page called Lear Theater, which it started after it took over the historic building from Artown in 2021.
There it still has this information: "The City of Reno is excited to begin exploring the future of the Lear Theater (First Church of Christ, Scientist) at 501 Riverside Drive. You may remember that during the 1990s and early 2000s, various local nonprofits worked toward adapting this building into a performing arts theater. Though this work was never completed, this beloved and iconic landmark building in the heart of Reno on the river walk is special to many in the Truckee Meadows and especially to the arts community. The City of Reno finalized the purchase of the building in 2023 and will be conducting some improvements to stabilize the building and protect it from deterioration while more information is gathered about the building’s current condition. “
A letter from August from Hasler indicates “our intent is to restore this iconic building, ensuring its historical integrity is maintained while transforming it into a vibrant hub for the arts that honors its past and inspires its future. Central to our vision is a deep commitment to preserving the theatre's history, including continuing to honor the Lear family through the retention of its name and celebrating the groundbreaking contributions of Paul Revere Williams.”
The plan outlined in the letter with this visual involves securing donor money, grants, smaller community funding through events and loans.