Developers broke ground on a new multi-use development in downtown Sparks today (Monday). Reno Public Radio's Julia Ritchey was there and has more.
The mixed-used community by Silverwing Development will include more than 200 condos and 8,000 square feet of retail space in the historic Victorian Square.
The project represents a $35 million investment in downtown Sparks and has city officials, like councilwoman Julia Ratti, touting a new era for their long-neglected city center.
"What we need is that vitality that comes with an everyday thriving downtown. To do that, you need people to live here and you need people to work here."
Ratti, who chairs Sparks' redevelopment agency, says despite their best efforts, the economic downturn resulted in many false starts for revitalization.
"Some of it was changing conditions ... and it was the lining up of leadership and effort with the right market conditions to make it work."
This groundbreaking comes just weeks after another developer announced plans to put in restaurants, retail, housing and office space in the building most recently occupied by the Bourbon Square Casino.