Historic Downtown Sparks and Redevelopment Tour

814 Victorian Avenue,Sparks NV 89431

23 May, 2023

Description

Description: Learn about the history of the Rail City and the city’s redevelopment efforts through a walking tour through Downtown Sparks. Hear about how this area has transformed itself from a railroad hub to a vibrant commercial district, into a rundown urban area before successful redevelopment changed the image and future of the city. This tour will provide an overview the buildings and sites that have played an important role in the history and development of Sparks and Nevada. Staff from the City of Sparks will also provide a tour of the city’s redevelopment efforts over the past 50 years and the ongoing projects that are transforming Victorian Square today. This tour will provide participants with an overview of the history of city and a hands on look at ongoing redevelopment and mixed use planning projects. Presenter: Scott Carey, AICP. Scott grew up in Sparks, attended local schools and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and Western Governors University-Nevada. While taking a historic preservation course at the university, Scott developed the “Sparks Historic Walking Tour”. Over the past 15 years he has been leading guided tours through Sparks’ historic downtown and explaining the critical role this area has had in the history of Sparks. Since 2019, Scott has served as the State Lands Planner within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the State of Nevada where he oversees the State Land Use Planning Agency and the Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. In 2020, Scott attained the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) designation from the American Planning Association and since 2021 has served as the Northern Nevada APA Section Planning Official. Scott is a lifetime member of the Sparks Heritage Museum and since 2009 has served as a member of the museum’s Board of Trustees. Presenter: Jim Runde. Jim grew up in the small town of Yerington, NV, graduated from the University of Nevada and has worked as a professional planner for the City of Sparks, NV for past 20 years. Jim began his public service career working in the United States Senate in Washington DC. Jim served the US Senate in the Office of Sergeant of Arms as a Doorkeeper for former Senator Harry Reid of Nevada. Jim currently serves as the City Planner for Sparks and oversees the city's long-range planning, housing, code enforcement, administration of the municipal code and supervision of the city’s current planning department. Throughout his career as a professional planner, Jim has been a tireless advocate for the City of Sparks and has worked hard to advance sound planning policy and promote high-quality development for the city and the region. Jim lives in Spanish Springs, with his wife Nicole and stepdaughter Regan. In his free time, Jim enjoys camping, flying in his airplane, supporting the Nevada Wolf Pack, and often is seen helping a friend or family member with a house project. This event is worth 1.0 AICP CM Credits. AICP CM Event No. 9269291