Preservationists ask to cancel federal court hearing aimed at saving Mapes

Scott Sonner

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000 | 5:41 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - Historic preservationists abandoned a last-ditch attempt at a federal court order to save the Mapes Hotel Thursday but insisted they have other plans to block the Jan. 30 demolition of the historic hotel-casino.

In a surprising move 11 days before the scheduled implosion, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Reno-based Truckee Meadows Heritage Trust directed their lawyers to withdraw a request for a hearing Friday before U.S. District Judge David Hagen.

The groups earlier filed a lawsuit in Hagen's court in Reno against the city and others, alleging the implosion would emit toxic materials in violation of the federal Clean Air and Clean Water acts.

But the presidents of the two groups said in a joint statement issued from Washington late Thursday they had concluded the judge "is unlikely to change his initial decision not to issue an injunction against the demolition of the Mapes."

"We will continue to pursue any and all options to stop the needless demolition of this American landmark by the city of Reno on Super Bowl Sunday," they said.

Built in 1947, the Mapes was the first building in the nation constructed specifically to house a hotel, casino and live entertainment under one roof. During its heyday in the 1950s, entertainers such as Mae West, the Marx Brothers, Sammy Davis Jr. and Ray Bolger performed in its top-floor, window-walled Sky Room with its spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada.

The National Trust listed the Mapes as one of America's most endangered historic buildings in 1998 and has never lost a battle to save a building on that list.

But a Washoe County district judge who earlier issued a temporary restraining order has subsequently denied two requests to block the demolition, and the federal lawsuit has been portrayed as the only remaining legal vehicle to save the Mapes.

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust, and Toni Harsh, president of the local group, said in the joint statement Thursday there is still time to save the Mapes and urged the City Council to reverse its decision to blow up the building on the corner of Reno's main street and the banks of the Truckee River.

They said an overwhelming majority of Reno citizens want to save the 12-story, brick, art deco building and that a California-based developer has a solid plan to restore it.

But they offered no information on their new strategy to protect the Mapes. And a spokesman for the national group in Washington refused late Thursday to describe any of the remaining options.

"There are still options outside the courtroom. I'm not going to elaborate," Gary Kozel told The Associated Press.

Local preservationists earlier urged the national group to raise enough money to buy the property from the city, or post a bond to cover damages to the city resulting from any delay in demolition resulting from a reconsideration of the plans.

Is that an option?

"I'm just not going to elaborate at this point," Kozel said.

"All I can say is we are just as committed as ever. We are not giving up. We are not surrendering," he said.