The reopening of the Virginia Street Bridge marks a new day for downtown Reno. Our reporter Rocio Hernandez spoke to locals about their new outlook on the area.
Reno resident Bob Alto moved to the neighborhood last year to be closer to his favorite spots along the river. He'd like the whole area to be re-branded.
"We just have to make Reno more inviting, not only for the people that live here, but the people that come to visit,” Alto said.
Leah Wigren spends a lot time downtown working as a lawyer. She says the area is often overlooked by locals.
"I think people still have an idea that it’s a bit seedy, but actually there’s good and some seediness which is okay,” Wigren said.
Joseph Cercone has lived in Reno all his life and now, he works as a contractor.
“The company I work for bought up a bunch of properties,” Cercone said. “Their gutting them, remodeling them, renting them, selling them, cleaning up the downtown. It’s great for me, too. It’s good business.”
These residents would also like to see the riverfront cleaned up and empty lots re-purposed.