Reno’s Lear Theater: A Historic Treasure Treated Like Yesterday’s Junk

The Lear Theater, one of Reno’s most historic cultural landmarks, should be a source of pride — a hub of opportunity for the city to honor its past while investing in its future. Instead, City Hall treats it like an unwanted hand-me-down: an albatross to be pawned off, not a treasure to be restored.

Now, yet again, someone has come forward with a “Letter of Interest” to develop the property — and the unsolicited offer sort of has the smell of an offer that was made for 4th and Record Street. Enthusiasm is not a plan, and the Lear is drowning in decades of exactly that: empty promises and well-intentioned neglect.

Alicia Barber said it best: “The Lear is in its current state of degradation due to years of well-intentioned enthusiasm.” She’s right. And while citizens and preservationists rally for the Lear, the City Council shrugs its shoulders.

But here’s the real question: who on the Reno City Council is actually responsible enough to fight for this landmark?

• Kathleen Taylor? Too busy polishing her résumé for mayor, and taking classes on being likable.

• Devon Reese? Marching neighborhoods toward short-term rental chaos while fundraising his way to the mayor’s office, and dodging those pesky ethic violations.

• Naomi Duerr? Checked out and only looking for her next gig.

• Meghan Ebert? if the issue isn’t in North Valleys she is clueless.

• Brandi Anderson and Miguel Martinez? Happy to play marionettes.

• Mayor Hillary Schieve? Posting selfie marketing shots for her Spooge butt-sunscreen line.

Leadership? Preservation? Responsibility? All missing in action.

If the Lear falls, it won’t be because Reno lacked opportunity. It will be because Reno’s leaders lacked the imagination — and the spine — to see beyond the next campaign flyer or personal business venture.

The Lear Theater deserves better than to be treated like a curse. The only curse here is a city government that treats Reno’s history as disposable.