With New Deal, How Will Reno Aces Shape the Greater Nevada Field Neighborhood?
Reporting and photos by Keira Allott
As part of a recent deal earlier this year for the Aces to stay for the next 23 years in Reno, our city’s Triple-A minor league baseball team became owners of Greater Nevada Field, while being committed to investing $40 million in capital improvements to the stadium and surrounding areas over 10 years, with half of that in the first five years.
In a neighborhood that has struggled to change in recent years, many residents and workers in the area are wondering what that money will be spent on, while enjoying the team’s continued presence.
“The Reno Aces definitely bring more energy and foot traffic to the area. On game days, we see a noticeable boost in customers coming through before and after the games. It’s great for business, and we always appreciate the extra buzz,” said a local café barista who asked to remain anonymous.
“When the Reno Aces are in town, you can really feel the difference downtown,” said Abigail, a local resident. “More people are out walking around, stopping into restaurants, grabbing drinks, and checking out local shops. It brings energy to the area and definitely helps small businesses get more traffic.”
Nick Marimberga, the Baseball Operations Manager for the Aces, said the bond between the team and the community is hard to ignore.
“Reno is a beautiful city, and it is definitely expanding for sure,” he said. “I personally cannot imagine Reno without the Aces because of the community and the people. While working in ticket sales I learned just how much the team means to the community and now in my current position as operations manager I use what I learned to better serve the community, and you learn just how much this team means to them.”
The area just around the ballpark remains deserted though when games aren’t taking place, and the Freight House district building right by the stadium is fenced off with parts of it boarded up, after having a few years before the pandemic when it was busy with different offerings.
Several students and locals recently interviewed by Our Town Reno have said they’ve considered living at the Ballpark Apartments across from the stadium at 201 Evans Avenue, but that the high price of $1,700 for a 500 square foot studio or $2,000 or so for a 600 square foot one bedroom apartment is too costly given the lack of a nearby grocery store and distance from campus. Those apartments constantly seem to have Now Leasing signs up, and “newly lowered rates” on its website.
Despite the challenges. Janessa Arretche, a UNR junior and member of the Aces’ promotions team, remains optimistic for how the future will shape out for the surrounding area: “I personally think that having the Reno Aces stay in town is one of the best things to happen to Reno, mainly because it will uplift the economy and bring in more fans.”
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