Mapes supporters urged to flood city hall with calls

Martin Griffith

Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000 | 8:46 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - Refusing to give up the fight to save the Mapes Hotel, a top historic preservationist on Saturday urged local residents to flood Reno City Hall with phone calls in support of the landmark.

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said a massive last-minute outpouring of support for the Mapes represents the best chance to halt its Super Bowl Sunday implosion on Jan. 30.

"It doesn't look good for the Mapes, there's no question about it," he said. "The best hope is the people of Reno who care about their heritage.

"If they do care, they really have to let their city officials know. Only the people of Reno can persuade them to change their minds. Great cities don't destroy great buildings."

Moe distanced his organization from an attempt last week by some local preservationists to win a $33.4 million Megabucks jackpot at Reno casinos so they can buy the hotel.

They plugged more than 400 silver dollars into a slot machine trying to hit the jackpot, and they plan to try Lady Luck again this weekend.

"That's not one of our strategies," Moe said. "We're looking at legal options. I can't say we have any, but we're not going to give up on any option until it's down."

The city, which already has prevailed in two lawsuits filed by preservationists, maintains the Mapes' restoration isn't financially feasible.

Preservationists dropped a third lawsuit last week, leaving no pending litigation to block the implosion.

"The preservationists talk about the Mapes as a gem, but it's been vacant for about a third of its life," city spokesman Chris Good said. The 12-story resort opened in 1947 and closed in 1982.

Moe said he's mystified by the City Council's decision to blow up the Mapes because no specific plans for the site have been disclosed. The city plans to sell the land as part of its downtown redevelopment efforts.

"I can't imagine taking down a building of this significance without having a plan for this site," he said. "I think there's more here than meets the eye.

"Who's going to benefit from this? We're curious about those questions, and more and more people of Reno have a right to ask them."

Good said the City Council would consider developers' proposals for the site this spring.

"There are no big secrets here, no secret agenda," he said. "Those decisions (about the site) will be made in an open public process. We know there's interest among developers in the site minus the building."

Moe's organization hasn't lost a major fight since it started listing America's most endangered buildings and places in 1988. The Mapes' unique art deco style and history landed it on the list in 1998.

The resort ushered in the modern gambling era as the first building in the nation constructed specifically as a hotel-casino.

Moe praised the Reno-based Truckee Meadows Heritage Trust, saying he hopes its efforts on behalf of the Mapes lead to greater public support for historic preservation.