Reno Just Has to Decide Whether it Wants Brighter Lights — or Brighter Ideas.

They want to rehab the arch … really?

Apparently, we’re getting illuminated.

In San Francisco, the iconic San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge was lit up with an $11 million art installation — funded entirely by private donations from more than 1,300 contributors. Not public money. Not fee increases. Not “we’ll bill you later.”

Private. Donations.

Meanwhile, here in Reno, we’re discussing a $1.5 million modernization of the Reno Arch while staring at a massive budget deficit and raising fees on residents. It would seem a pet project of Mayor Schieve’s.

Make it make sense.

If San Francisco can rally private donors for an $11 million lighting project, why can’t Reno’s leadership spearhead a similar effort for our much smaller, much humbler arch?

In fact, since several members of the Reno City Council are successful business owners and entrepreneurs, here’s a thought:

Instead of “spend now, tax later,” why not “lead now, fundraise first”?

If each councilmember rallied major donors — or even personally contributed — the project could be halfway funded overnight. Businesses write off charitable contributions all the time. That’s how civic leadership works in cities that value partnership over passing the hat to taxpayers.

No one is questioning whether the Arch is iconic. It is.

The question is: who should pay for the glow-up?

Residents already facing higher fees?
Or the business community and civic leaders who champion economic development and public-private partnerships?

San Francisco proved it can be done.

Hillary Schieve, owner of: CLOTHES MENTOR RESALE PARTNERS LLC; PLATOS CLOSET RESALE GILRS LLC; SPOOGE. CO LLC

Devon Reese, partner at REESE RING VELTO, PLLC

Kathleen Taylor, owner of: TAYLOR MADE SOLUTIONS LTD

Brandi Anderson, owner of: PUSH CONSULTING, LLC

Naomi Duerr, owner of: DESERT PACIFIC EXPLORATION INC; MINQUEST LTD; NEVADA MINE PROPERTIES II INC; ST. GEORGES ECO-MINING; CEDAR MOUNTAINS LLC; GOLDEN MILE LLC; APEX ROYALTIES A & B

So give a little to the City of Reno after all Councilmembers and Mayor the taxpayers have paid you a whole lot.