Pay to Play ???
Four council members, namely Devon Reese, Kathleen Taylor, Miguel Martinez, and Brandi Anderson, sanctioned the development of the Lakeridge Tennis Court premises. This endorsement paved the way for the construction approval of two 5-story buildings in a residential area characterized by two-story homes with an inability of 100’s of home owners to be able to evacuate in the event of a fire. There have been two fires requiring evacuation and of course the city council does not have an evacuation policy or plan. Leading this development charge was the Indiana-based developer Thompson Thrift.
Jessica Sferrazza, initially eyeing the mayoral race in Reno, transitioned into a prominent lobbying role with the assistance of Mayor Schieve who entered into the election fray. In her capacity as a lobbyist representing developers, Sferrazza collaborated closely with attorney Garrett Gordon, establishing an attorney-client relationship shielded by legal privileges. The symbiotic association between Sferrazza and Gordon, spanning a decade, underscores the intricate web of influence shaping Reno’s development landscape.
The legal tussle surrounding the Lakeridge tennis court dates back as far as 2018, culminating 1n a crucial meeting at Rancharrah on July 24, 2019. The congregation of around 200 stakeholders, including Sferrazza, witnessed revelations of a proposed zoning modification requesting 150 units while retaining key amenities like tennis courts, swimming pools, and eateries. However, this proposition faced staunch opposition, setting the stage for tumultuous decision-making process. Michael Melkin’s partnership with Reno Land and Chip Bowlby, along with Lyon Living’s involvement, added layers to the development narrative. The project’s sponsorship by EDWAN, backed by investors like Toll Brothers, reflected a strategic alignment aimed at propelling the Lakeridge venture forward.
The decisive zoning change, granted by the 4 to 3 council vote on July 16, marked a crucial juncture. Following the zoning change, Lyon Living swiftly demolished the tennis and amenities, and the property sat vacant. The subsequent partnership between Lyon Living and Thompson Thrift in 2024-2025 solidified the projects trajectory, culminating in a pivotal council vote on April 23, 2025 by the 4 council members named above.
Also, to add is finding out about the financial contributions from influential entities like Wood Rogers and Garrett Gordon’s law firm. Monetary donations to the city council are numerous. While there is nothing illegal about contributions, the records obtained reveal that for the Thompson Thrift development, donations from Lewis Roca (Garret Gordon’s firm) and Wood Rogers total $88,096. The break down is as follows: Schieve- $17,096 ; Reese - $18,500; Taylor - $10,500; Anderson - $5,000; Martinez - $4,500; Cann1zzaro (Reese’s law partner’s wife who is the chair of the Nevada Senate combined contributions)- $31,500; Velto - (Reese’s law partner) $1000.
While there is no requirement for any council member to be transparent, it would be welcomed for the council members to make disclosures to let the citizens know about the donations from the individuals promoting the development at issue even if the council member voted against the project.
Save Our Reno
Margo Piscevich
