The Reno City Council received a detailed briefing Thursday on the aging infrastructure of the Virginia Street Arch, the city’s iconic landmark since 1987. City Maintenance Director Travis Truhill explained that while the current one is a recognized landmark rather than a historic structure, it requires ongoing investment to remain functional.
The city currently spends roughly $20,000 annually from the general fund on routine maintenance. Truhill outlined a proposed $1.5 million modernization plan that would replace the manual lighting system with an automated LED setup, eliminating the current eight-hour labor process required for every color change.
While general maintenance costs are relatively modest, the city charges promoters $4,400 to change the bulbs for special events. Recent weather damage, including a $15,000 repair after high winds in December, combined with wear and tear from manual bulb swaps, has driven the push for a permanent technological upgrade.
The Old Blog in the Desert 
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