Members-
 
The preservation community is lobbying to save one of the most significant
historic structures in Reno, NV.  The Mapes Hotel-Casino building faces
destruction in Mid-March unless the city council can be convinced that
the current developers rehabilitation plan can be replaced by one that is
more financially feasible.  More information and photos can be found at
www.mapes.com, but I have attached some relevant information below for
the curious.  This week, city government has made tremendous advances in
historic preservation as they gave all indications of saving another
historic downtown riverfront property, the Riverside Hotel.
 
Regards,
Tim Scarlett
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The members of the Truckee Meadows Heritage Trust (TMHT) are racing
time to raise public awareness and to develop alternate plans to preserve
and redevelop the Mapes building.  We are working to find the best and
highest reuse of the property that will allow the preservation of its
historic fabric while returning the structure to the city's tax rolls.
Our goals are to raise funds to preserve the Mapes facade while raising
pubic awareness through an aggressive public education program.
 
The Mapes is highly significant at the local,
regional, and national level. The hotel was conceived in 1939 by Gladys
Hope Mapes and Oakland architect F. H. Slocombe. In 1946 after the close
of the second world war, Gladys and her 24 year old son, Charles W. Mapes,
Jr., began construction on a new type of hotel. Inspired by New York
Skyscrapers and rooftop restaurants, they created a twelve
story, reinforced concrete and brick building in the Art Deco style.  "The
Hotel that Gladys Built" redefined the hotel and casino industry.  The
hotel is divided into three vertical parts: a two story base with large
glass windows and decorative terra cotta reserved for retail and casino
space, eight floors of guest quarters, and the crowning "Sky Room"
restaurant with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Truckee River
and Virginia Street.  One floor was reserved for service facilities.
This was the first time that gaming, retail, rooms, and dining had been
combined under one roof.  The destination-resort is now the industry
standard.
 
Not only was the Mapes the first hotel built in the
US after WWII, but it was the tallest building in the state.  Many famous
people stayed or performed at the Mapes, and the hotel hosted or appeared
in several movies and television shows.  The plush glitz of the Mapes soon
brought it fame around the world.  The building is very significant to local
people. Mrs. Gladys Mapes was well known for her philanthropic and civic
activities. She was dubbed "Mrs. Reno" by the people that worked and
played in her hotel. In addition, the Mapes hosted innumerable gala
events in the Sky Room, including high school graduations, proms,
weddings, and dances.  Tens of thousands of local people, and hundreds of
thousands nation wide, have memories tied to this building.
 
The Mapes was listed on the National Register in 1982.  It was not in
government hands until the abandoned and mis-treated structure was
purchased by the Reno City Redevelopment Agency in 1996.  A portion of the
website, called "The Wall," is devoted to public comment. Another section
stores information on contacting city officials.  Please add your
experiences with HP successes in your cities and towns.  Every comment
helps!