The Reno City Council voted on Wednesday to put the gaming license application of a Las Vegas-based restaurateur on hold over concerns about an increase in the number of slot machines.
The city council voted 4-1 to indefinitely postpone its decision on Fine Entertainment’s application for a gaming license for its PKWY Tavern project.
Fine Entertainment, which is planning to build several bars and restaurants inside the Reno City Center, wants to install 197 slot machines in the former Harrah’s Reno hotel-casino. Fine Entertainment’s application was already approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission but requires approval from the city.
Councilwoman Jenny Brekhus argued that a conditional use permit is required for a non-conforming gaming use, which she believed is the case with Fine Entertainment’s plan.
“From my worldview, (expanding from) 16 slots to 197 — that’s an expansion of a gaming use,” Brekhus said. “You can’t argue otherwise.”
Reno City Council raises concerns about status of Reno City Center
Brekhus’ concerns were shared by most other council members.
At the center of their questions was the state of the Reno City Center project. It has been subject to various delays and recently faced a financing issue after anchor office tenant, Clear Capital, backed out of the project.
“The front of the building has a sign that says, ‘Live, work, play, opening 2022’ and there’s chain link fences around the building,” said Councilmember Meghan Ebert. “It doesn’t look like there’s a whole lot going on from the outside of the building.”
Brekhus also expressed concern about the city being left holding the bag if the plans for Reno City Center do not pan out and downtown ends up with “a slot parlor on University Way.”
Mayor Hillary Schieve also agreed to a pause before recusing herself midway through the discussion. During the meeting, the mayor realized that she and the project use the same law firm.
Schieve stressed that she had no idea about the connection.
“How would I know who is represented by every single person that comes to this dais?” Schieve said. “I possibly couldn’t know that. I would have to be a mind reader.”
Fine Entertainment says city council decision will delay project
Appearing via video conference, Fine Entertainment co-founder Jonathan Fine told the City Council that he understood their concerns.
Fine tried to reassure the city council members, saying that all his company is doing is taking an existing gaming license on the property that was using 80,000 square feet of floor space for 1,500 to 1,700 slot machines and reducing it to 4,000 square feet and 197 machines. Fine also noted that their plans include “experiential” restaurants and beer gardens with 400 types of beers available.
“It is the most beers of any beer garden in the country,” Fine said. “This application is not for a slot parlor.”
As the discussion moved toward a vote to pause a decision indefinitely, however, Fine could not hide his disappointment. The executive noted how he is investing $12 million of his own and investors’ money on the project and that a delay would be potentially costly for the company.
“It frustrates me that I sat for four hours listening to how you guys can’t figure out how to get downtown moving and you have an operator that’s willing to put down 12 million of his dollars and the continuance is going on indefinitely,” Fine said.
“I have to pause this if I’m not going to get these licenses.”
Councilmember Naomi Duerr responded that she understands Fine’s situation. She pledged that city staff will go over the issue quickly so the council can have a vote sooner rather than later.
“What I’ve learned in my almost nine years on city council is it is very wise when we run into these kinds of questions — whether it’s a noticing issue or a permit-required issue — it’s very important to get them resolved right at the upfront so there aren’t lingering overshadowing concerns that would potentially affect your business,” Duerr said.
Councilmember Kathleen Taylor, meanwhile, said she understood the council’s decision but also expressed support for Fine’s application. Taylor was the lone “no” vote for a continuance of the application.
“I believe in Mr. Fine,” Taylor said. “I believe in revitalizing downtown. And I believe that by getting businesses in there we’re doing what we want to do.”
