The Reno City Council has recently approved the development of J Resort’s festival grounds, expanding live entertainment opportunities in west Reno. The new grounds, nearly double the size of the existing Glow Plaza, will offer flexible event capacities and extended hours for select evenings. While the decision aims to enhance urban vibrancy, it also sparks concerns about noise and quality of life among downtown residents.

Expanding Entertainment Horizons

The newly approved festival grounds at J Resort promise a significant enhancement to Reno's entertainment scene. Spanning 4.5 acres, this space is almost twice as large as the current Glow Plaza. It will host events with varying capacities, accommodating up to 15,000 attendees under specific conditions. This expansion aligns with the city's vision for a lively, engaging downtown area, offering more opportunities for cultural and social gatherings.

Leah Piccotti, Reno’s assistant planner, emphasized that each event at the festival grounds must secure a special permit, ensuring compliance with city regulations. The grounds can host unlimited events with up to 5,000 attendees or twenty larger-scale events annually. When reaching maximum capacity, only ten events per year are permitted. Garrett Gordon, representing Jacobs Entertainment Inc., assured the council that noise mitigation measures have been considered, such as orienting the stage westward to minimize disturbance to nearby residents. Despite these accommodations, Smart Growth Reno voiced concerns about potential traffic, parking, and noise impacts on local residents' quality of life.

Balancing Fun and Quiet

In response to resident concerns, the city has implemented stricter noise ordinances and conditional-use permits for businesses operating late-night music or live entertainment. These measures aim to preserve the balance between vibrant nightlife and peaceful residential environments. The J Resort was granted an exception, allowing music until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with two annual events extending until 12:15 a.m.

Mayor Hillary Schieve highlighted the importance of maintaining a safe, exciting downtown atmosphere while addressing residents' grievances. Councilmember Kathleen Taylor echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the personal impact of the decision on her ward's residents. Despite initial apprehensions, the council was reassured by commitments to enforce sound monitoring protocols. Assistant Planner Leah Piccotti suggested proactive noise monitoring could serve as a middle ground, potentially reducing future complaints. Ultimately, the council unanimously approved the project without additional conditions, trusting in the developers' promises to uphold agreed-upon standards.