University of Nevada, Reno to Lease I-80 Site

The university plans to transform the former Walgreens property into a campus welcome center.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Commercial

Bold vector editorial illustration of a building structure resting on a concrete bridge spanning a highway, depicting urban infrastructure development. — The University of Nevada, Reno plans to convert a former Walgreens property situated on a deck above Interstate 80 into a welcome center. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University of Nevada, Reno officials plan to lease the Interstate 80 site currently occupied by a Walgreens. The university intends to convert the unique structure into a welcome center for the campus.

Why it matters

The transition marks a change in use for a prominent piece of Reno real estate that sits on a concrete-and-steel deck above the highway. The plan requires final approval from the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.

The Walgreens lease, which provided approximately $60,000 annually to the state, spanned a 46-year term. Walgreens is expected to vacate the property in 2027.

The players

University of Nevada, Reno

This is a public research university that serves as the primary academic institution for northern Nevada.

Nevada Department of Transportation

This state agency manages the infrastructure and air rights associated with the interstate highway system in Nevada.

Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents

This governing body holds the constitutional authority to manage and control the Nevada System of Higher Education.

The details

The site was originally conceived in the early 1960s as a hotel-casino project, leading to the construction of a deck above Interstate 80 in 1974. The area sat vacant for over two decades until the Walgreens store was built in 2002.

The structure was initially conceived in the early 1960s.
A concrete-and-steel deck was built in 1974.
Construction began on the Walgreens store in 1999.
The Walgreens store opened in 2002.
The university lease agreement is set to conclude in 2046.

Culture Shift

The project reflects a broader trend of institutions repurposing unique urban infrastructure to expand their physical footprint. This movement shifts underutilized commercial spaces into functional hubs for the local Reno community.

Commuters and residents will see the transition of the I-80 property from a retail storefront to a campus welcome center over the coming years. This change effectively reclaims the site for university operations rather than private commercial use.

The takeaway

This development highlights the long-term potential of repurposing infrastructure deck sites that were originally intended for private enterprise. Reno residents can expect a significant change in the visual landscape along the Interstate 80 corridor as the university finalizes its plans.