RTC NEWS RELEASE
The Regional Transportation Commission invites the public to attend an open house for the 4th Street/Prater Way History Project to be held at RTC Centennial Plaza at 1421 Victorian Ave. in Sparks Thursday, Nov. 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Free parking will be available in several lots at the intersection of Victorian Avenue and Victorian Plaza Circle and at John Ascuaga’s Nugget parking garage.
The 4th Street/Prater Way History Project was initiated by the RTC in 2011 to integrate the history of 4th Street and Prater Way into improvement plans for the corridor, which extends through the cities of Reno and Sparks. This corridor is one of the area’s most historic roadways, having served as the Lincoln Highway, which celebrates its centennial this year, and, later, as U.S. 40. It is lined with historic businesses and buildings, many more than a century old.
Beginning with an oral history project and an architectural survey conducted in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno, the 4th Street/Prater Way History Project has engaged multiple community partners to learn about and present the corridor’s history to the public. By summer 2014, it will result in four major products: a multimedia online feature housed on the Nevada Humanities’ Online Nevada Encyclopedia; content for historical smart phone apps for both Reno and Sparks; permanent exhibits installed in the RTC 4th Street Station in downtown Reno and RTC Centennial Plaza in Sparks; and designs for eight new historically themed bus shelters located along the corridor.
“Working with the community to tell the story of this corridor not only enriches the area’s identity, but can also strengthen a sense of community and place for everyone who lives, works and visits there,” said Alicia Barber, project consultant and historian.
At the open house, the public can learn more about the project, share their own memories of the corridor’s history through a 15-foot-long photographic “memory map,” and provide suggestions for additional research and oral history subjects. Representatives from the Lincoln Highway Association, Sparks Museum & Cultural Center, Historic Reno Preservation Society and other community partners will be on hand to share information about the area and their organizations.
To learn more about the project visit www.4thprater.com or www.facebook.com/4thPraterHistory.
About RTC
The Regional Transportation Commission serves the citizens of Reno, Sparks and unincorporated areas of Washoe County. As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the region, the RTC provides leadership in planning, public policy development and implementation of quality transportation systems through a commitment to excellence and stewardship to meet the community’s present and future transportation needs. For more information about RTC projects visit rtcwashoe.com and sign up for free email updates using MyRTC or call (775) 348-0400.
