The Process
for the Lear’s Future

The City of Reno is following a phased process to find a development partner for the Lear. See where the process stands today, what each phase involves and how the community takes part throughout.
Historic black-and-white photo of the Lear when it was a church, its facade completed as a line drawing.

Current Phase

Phase 3 — Economic Feasibility Study Phase

Updated November 10, 2026

This phase is about exploring what’s possible. The economic feasibility study evaluates potential future uses for the Lear and shapes a plan for sustainable adaptive reuse. This stage includes:

  • Studying the local market: Gathering and analyzing data on the Reno area, including its geography, economy, real estate, demographics, and social, political and philanthropic landscape.
  • Talking with potential users: Interviewing stakeholders and potential users and operators, and surveying a wide range of potential Lear users about the space they need, the community and business uses they have in mind, how often they would use it, what rent they could pay, what keeps them from using spaces like the Lear today, and other factors tied to the renovation.

Community Engagement

Phases and Milestones

Phase 1

Complete

  • Architectural Resources Group prepares a Historic Structure Report to describe the building’s current condition and explore two conceptual options for the building’s future. The report found the building to be in fair to poor condition overall.
  • Read the HSR here

Phase 2

Complete

Phase 3

In progress

  • This phase is about exploring what’s possible. The economic feasibility study evaluates potential future uses for the Lear and shapes a plan for sustainable adaptive reuse.
  • This stage includes:
  • Gather and analyze geographic attributes, economic, real estate, social, political, philanthropic, and demographic data for Reno market area.
  • Conduct stakeholders and prospective user/operator interview sessions.
  • Distribute a needs assessment survey to a broad set of prospective Lear users to gather input and data on the demand for space, potential community and business functions, anticipated frequency of use, acceptable rental price points, current barriers to access, and other factors associated with the renovation of the building.
  • Develop multiple reuse scenarios for the Lear, including concept plans conforming to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, based on stakeholder and prospective user input.
  • Develop recommended management, governance, and operational models for the selected scenarios.
  • Develop pro forma financial forecasts for each selected scenario, including concept level construction cost estimates, and identifying funding sources.

Phase 4

Upcoming

  • Formal issuance of an RFI to the public to solicit ideas for potential development scenarios for the Lear, bolstered by the Economic Feasibility Study Phase.

Phase 5

Upcoming

  • City review of proposals from potential developers, and selection process to develop a shortlist of proposed RFIs to be issued a more detailed RFP.

Phase 6

Upcoming

  • City selection committee reviews and selects preferred proposal, and makes recommendation to City Council.