Few would consider a post office to be a historical monument, but that is exactly how many Reno residents view their former source for mail. The 78-year-old building closed last week, and while the post office is changing locations, the iconic three-story, terra-cotta building will be home to new companies.
As reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal, a group of developers will begin their plans to remake the former post office into an upscale retail center early next year. Additionally, the upstairs offices will be transformed into modern businesses.
The news source added that the Reno City Council has been eyeing the post office for some time as a place for a redevelopment project. However, negotiations between the city and the United States Postal Service were never able to go anywhere.
Mella Harmon, the historic preservation consultant working for the developers, explained to the Gazette-Journal that nothing shocking will happen to the building. The National Historic Register of Historic Places owns the structure, which means it must maintain its historical flair. Any proposed changes must be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency.
"It's truly a masterpiece," Sheryln Hayes-Zorn, the acting director of the Nevada Historical Society told the news source. "It's kind of a sad passing phase of downtown history; at least one positive thing is they're still going to use the building in a positive light."
When renovation jobs like the Reno post office must be undertaken, it's important for companies to have a comprehensive Nevada contractor insurance policy. That way, as construction and building occurs, a business can rest assured that it's fully covered for a number of situations.
Partnering with a firm specializing in commercial property insurance can also help an organization find the right Nevada business insurance policy once construction is complete.