Mapes Hotel’s demolition spurs recall drive against mayor

Martin Griffith

Monday, Jan. 31, 2000 | 9:06 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - Opponents of the Mapes Hotel's demolition vowed Sunday to mount a recall drive against Reno Mayor Jeff Griffin, but others called the city's action long overdue and urged critics to focus on the city's future instead.

Pete Menchetti, organizer of a group of preservationists that hanged Griffin in effigy Sunday, said recall papers would be filed against the mayor in the next couple of weeks.

"We can't fail. Most people wanted to see the Mapes saved," he said. "This isn't revenge, it's justice. He should be in jail for tearing down the Mapes. It should be a crime to demolish a historic building like it."

Griffin insisted he did everything in his power to save the Mapes and predicted the recall attempt would fail.

"I don't think there's an outrage over this," he said. "I think the average person is saying, 'You tried everything and it wouldn't work.' Frankly, I don't think they'll get enough signatures to get it on the ballot."

About 150 Mapes supporters gathered at a park minutes after the implosion for a wake, where others joined the call for the removal of Griffin and some of his colleagues.

"Perhaps the loss of the Mapes has served a larger purpose,," said David Ward of the Reno-based Truckee Meadows Heritage Trust. "We must elect a government responsive to the people."

Holly Fiala of the National Trust for Historic Preservation called the Mapes demolition a "wake-up call for preservationists everywhere."

The Mapes represents the trust's first loss ever of a site on its list of America's 11 most endangered places. The rankings began in 1989.

"Today we are reminded again that American historic landmarks can be lost," she said. "We must redouble our efforts to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

The implosion triggered mixed reactions among about 10,000 spectators, with some breaking into tears and others erupting in loud cheers.

"I honestly don't see anything special about the Mapes," said a jubilant Gail Martz of Reno. "It's only 52 years old, get real. We're not talking about something 350 years old."

Pam McDowell of Sparks, who attended a high school prom at the Mapes, also cheered the demolition.

"It's time to move on because downtown Reno is dying," she said. "We need something new there and let's move on. Las Vegas would have done this years ago."

But the demolition left Reno contractor Terry Kline visibly shaken.

"It hurt. It was such a beautiful building," he said. "I'm a builder so when something like this comes down so quickly, it overwhelms me. Bang, and it's gone in a flash."

A tearful Les Ede of Sparks, who attended a high school graduation party at the Mapes, said the demolition represents an irreplaceable loss of history.

"I feel sadness. The demolition leaves a bitter taste in my mouth," he said. "Its art deco architecture was unique and it was a one-of-a-kind. If I could hang Griffin, I would."

But City Councilman Dave Aiazzi defended Griffin, saying the mayor and his colleagues had no choice but to demolish the Mapes.

"The city didn't have the money and private enterprise couldn't come up with the money," he said. "People have nostalgia and memories for the Mapes and they still will have them. We didn't blow the memories up."