Machabee renovates into Reno redevelopment area

Machabee Office Environments took an active role in redevelopment efforts along East Fourth Street, long a blighted area.

It bought 2.2 acres from Union Pacific Railroad, gutted an old building, tore out a derelict rail spur and paved the previously unkept plot.

But the goal, says company owner Gary Machabee, was to consolidate two locations a warehouse at 475 Valley Road and a showroom on South Center Street.

With 20,000 square feet of warehouse space below and 13,000 square feet of office space above, the site houses the company's showroom as well as Machabee Business Equipment, its documents and imaging division.

The whole process property acquisition, demolition, construction took three years, says Machabee.

While such an ambitious project may seem well ahead of the curve, Machabee points to City of Reno plans, some now complete and others proposed, that will continue to upgrade the neighborhood.

The men's drop-in shelter and Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission, both on Record Street, brought new construction to the area, as will the fire station proposed for the corner of Fourth and Valley streets. The city also plans to move the main bus terminal from its downtown site to the corner of Fourth and Lake streets. And the proposed baseball stadium anchors the west end of the Fourth Street corridor.

Machabee employs 35 in Reno.