Save South Valley Park!
If you want a park…
Navigating the landmines of politics is a dangerous game, and there’s good reason to steer clear. But when the challenge comes to your backdoor, there is good reason to engage.
Sneaky wording and maneuvering have temporarily excluded the stadium from the Washoe County Commission agenda. Remember, the stadium was already approved in Stage 2 of a 3-stage process, steaming towards development. Riddled with misrepresentations and disguise, ripped off like a bandage, our Parks Commission quickly overturned this decision unanimously. A short-term victory was won, but not the war. Rest now to your dismay... a Wedge Pkwy stadium would be built. However, if you want a park, read on and follow the action plan below.
Action Plan
-
Today: Email your objection. Do not procrastinate! Send your objections to:
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected], and
[email protected]. -
AUGUST 20, 2024, 10 AM: Attend the Washoe County Commission meeting at 1001 East 9th St., Reno, NV 89512.
- This is a critical meeting. You MUST speak during Public Comment (limit 3 minutes). You must record your voice and perspective. There is no other way as effective!
- If you can’t attend in person, attend virtually:
Zoom Meeting Link
or attend by phone: 1-669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 820 9018 1273.
-
Join a TASK FORCE: Email [email protected] with the subject “Sign me up!”. Please specify the area(s) you want to focus on:
- Park Development Team: Plan for each area with a timeline. Tracked by the Community Park Development Team. Get copies of RFPs, bids, and contracts. Do you have project management or development experience?
- Park Financials Team: Investigate corruption over 35 years. Request public records. Conduct a forensic audit. A special bond was issued, specific taxes were collected, but they say there’s no money. Do you have finance and audit expertise?
- Community Events & Communications: We have a team, we are a community, and we’re engaged! We broke records in attendance at the recent CAB and at the Open Space & Parks meetings. We’ve got momentum! Do you have good writing, organization, or team-building experience?
For more information and updates, visit www.RenoSoccerStadium.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach me by cell: (775) 745-7520.
Online Survey
A Sports Stadium in our Backyard, South Valley Park Proposal, up to 10k Person Capacity
There is natural enthusiasm for a pro sports team. Northern Nevada will only benefit from the emotional and positive energy. This is not the debate. Rather, in the American system, professional sports must answer, “Where will such a (soccer) team play?” That's the question and debate before all of us in Reno, Washoe County, Sparks and all of Northern Nevada. On this point, 1868, Reno’s former pro soccer team was a success, however, its ownership group rejected the stadium mandate and didn’t build a soccer specific stadium. 1868 is now gone and Northern Nevada lost, the people lost!
But did you know?
South Valleys County Park may be diverted into a private use, a 6500-seat stadium (10,000 capacity special events). Land that was donated and reserved for public use, outdoor recreation, and a county park including; Multi-Purpose Flat Fields, Baseball fields, Splash Park, Picnic Area with Restrooms, Kids Play area, Dog Park, and Trails will be pushed aside, in spite of the argument there are not enough fields. Because the region’s fields are 160% overused and underfunded, South Valley Park (courtesy of Jackie Rosen) received a $2 million grand to expand the park… for more park!
The proposed stadium is adjacent to thousands of single-family, apartment, and mobile homes. Traffic (20,000+ vehicle trips for events), light & noise pollution, compromise residential neighborhoods and depress home values.
It's all about the $... A sweetheart deal for a private developer.
18 acres in south Reno worth ~$36 million is about to be given for free ($1 per year) to a private project. The first lease term, 20 years, has already been paid, $20! There’s non-specific talk about revenue share (public will pay), but that’s after private profits.
This Stadium project is being pushed through without you knowing about it. The project has already passed Stage 1, of a 3 Stage process. Now in Stage 2, contracts are being negotiated behind closed doors. Stage 3 means it’s approved.
Online Survey
Did you know there is an alternative (soccer) Stadium, already approved in Reno?
❖ https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/reporters/inside-battle-born-fcs-quest-to-build-a-5000-seat-soccer-only-stadium-in-reno#
❖ https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/reporters/battle-born-fc-to-host-regional-tournament-making-progress-on-soccer-only-stadium-in-reno#
Reno and the Reno Planning Commission have previously approved a different stadium, location adjacent to Hwy 395 off Parr Blvd and its development advances through Reno Planning Departments with a Grading Permit already issued, Walls Permit pending, and the final Site Plan is presently under review. This Stadium consumes no public money, is on private land, and does not infringe on any neighbors or their home values.
What’s the Beef?
The County hasn’t enough $, but gives its assets away to a private user, then diverts your public park to a private stadium... when elsewhere a Stadium in Reno is already underway, without public cost or impact. Damonte declined support, rather seeks another monument of their own. Asks the public to pay for it (free land), then downplays consuming park space to do it, dismisses negative impacts, and belittles concerns of nearby communities.
What Next?
Do Nothing: You lose the extended park and land that was donated to the County for public use and outdoor recreation.
Support: Wedge Pkwy Damonte Stadium. You may soon live next to a stadium that hosts events every week. Lights, noise, traffic and all that comes with living next to a stadium. The gov’t uses your resources, allocates your assets, for a private use and to a private developer. The County and Damonte say... this is really all just for you.
Object: Tell Washoe County to get out of the pro sports and stadium business. A different local private developer (SportLogic Northern Nevada) already has land and invests in that project. It doesn’t cost the people anything and is away from all residential property owners. You and Northern Nevada still get a Stadium and still get Pro Soccer!
Online Survey
Documents, Links, Video
Washoe County - STAFF REPORT BOARD MEETING DATE: May 22, 2024
Title this, The Dorosktkar Deed "...public use forever." Means FOREVER!
Here are key moments and comments of interest from the Washoe County Open Space Meetings on May 22nd, 2024, and June 24th, 2024.
Under the key moment are the full videos.
Issue / Representation / Topic of discussion:
Proposal will preserve the fields promissed to the people.
Neighbors & County will be committed before investors and developers.
Presenter:
Bob Enzenberger, FOFF
Misrepresentation:
Ancllary fields are too small, do not meet specifications. Fields overlap and can't be used
simultaneously. There has been no investor investment, locking up the public resources
for future private profits.
Issue / Representation / Topic of discussion:
Traffic & Noise
Presenter:
Aaron Smith, Washoe County
Misrepresentation:
We'll figure that out later.. After it's too late
Issue / Representation / Topic of discussion:
Alcohol will be sold and served on-site.
Presenter:
Wendy Demonte
Misrepresentation:
Alcohol will be served, and it's already served at the park, really? That's a mistruth...
Issue / Representation / Topic of discussion:
No More Land. This is the only option.
Presenter:
Wendy Demonte
Misrepresentation:
Wendy met with SportLogic Northern Nevada in August 2023. Land that is already purchased and ready for a Soccer Stadium.
Online Survey
Issue / Representation / Topic of discussion:
People and Homeowners want to live next to the stadium
Presenter:
Wendy Demonte
Misrepresentation:
Suburban and country, not urban core. And a Pro Men's Team, Pro Women's Team,
Concerts and kids events (as later promised… seems like a constant invasion. She is referring to planned developments where some people do choose to move. This is much different than sticking a stadium in the middle of where people already live.
Issue / Representation / Topic of discussion:
Pleading ignorance about the alternative Stadium. Claiming the difference is this alternative isn't associated with Pro
Presenter:
Aaron Smith & Wendy Damonte
Misrepresentation:
media and process through development entitlement. Damonte met with BattleBornFC
and knows it has a Pro Team! The sign on the freeway reads, in bold red, "Future Home
Pro Soccer"
Full Videos of Washoe County Open Space Meetings on May 22nd, 2024 and June 24th, 2024
