The City of Sparks has announced that Union Pacific will deliver the last rounds of bricks from the Sparks machine shop this week.

The bricks will be dropped off at Cottonwood Park, where the bricks have been available for pick up at the park's east parking lot.

A representative from Union Pacific said they have about six to seven loads of bricks left, and will deliver the final bricks on Friday, March 14.

Union Pacific expects the bricks to be gone prior to the original April 5 deadline for pick up.

If you're wishing to pick up bricks, officials are asking that community members park on Spice Islands Drive and walk to the pick up area, as vehicles are not allowed to enter.

Update (1/29/2025, 11:00 a.m.):

The City of Sparks and Union Pacific Railroad have updated the dates for the public to collect bricks from the historic machine shop near the Nugget casino. Bricks will now be available for pick-up from February 24 through April 5, 2025, while supplies last.

The bricks can be picked up at Cottonwood Park’s east lot, 777 Spice Islands Drive.

Community members wishing to collect bricks are asked to park on Spice Islands Drive and walk to the designated area, as cars will not be allowed to enter.

DECEMBER 6, 2024:

The historic railroad machine shop in Sparks will be torn down to expand Union Pacific's facilities there.

Union Pacific is expected to file a demolition permit with the City and has begun preparation and abatement work.

The City of Sparks says the building will be removed in the next few months as Union Pacific maximizes its footprint to move more goods in and out of the area.

However, the public will have a chance to preserve parts of the building.

Once the building is demolished they will be made available from early February to mid-March at Cottonwood Park.

As we've reported, the City has been trying to preserve the 120-year old building after Union Pacific terminated the lease of the land 

ORIGINAL STORY:

A 120-year-old railroad machine shop in the heart of Sparks is facing an uncertain future.

Reno local Robert Hart owns the building, but the land belongs to Union Pacific, a railroad franchise. In February, Hart received a letter notifying him that Union Pacific will terminate his lease next year. He has until February 2024 to move the structure, or Union Pacific will demolish it.

Sparks Councilmember Donald Abbott said losing the building would be losing a slice of Sparks history.

"There's three or four generations of Sparks residents where their grandparents, or their great grandparents worked here in those buildings," he told 2 News on Thursday.

The building doesn't sit empty - to this day, Sparks locals are still making use of the space.

Jonny Rolling, a musician and artistic director, has helped convert portions of the front office to an art gallery and performance space.

"The first time I walked through, I was just struck by - I was like, wow, this could be a really cool music, art kind of deal," he said.

He later added, "The potential of it all is really breathtaking, and it's something that I think if it was actualized would be a great benefit to everyone."

He said even the gaping warehouse in the back has potential.

Though it's filled to the brim with stacks of hot tubs and furniture, and rows of stored RVs and boats, he and Abbot can vividly imagine lights, music, space for a museum or an exploratorium, or even a new venue for city hall.

They aren't the only ones with bold dreams for the rail shop. While he sat on city council from 1999 to 2006, late Sparks Mayor Tony Armstrong advocated for the city to purchase the space and convert it to a civics center.

"How can we best facilitate everything to where (Union Pacific's) objectives are met as an organization, but there's also something left for the community?" Rolling said.

"I think there's a balance. I think we can't just get rid of all the history here," Abbott added.

In a statement sent via email to 2 News, Union Pacific says it needs the land to expand its operations.

"While we understand some may be disappointed in our decision to terminate the lease of the land where the old railroad machine shop sits, our growing operations require additional space in Sparks to help meet local and regional economic demand," wrote Robynn Tysver, communications manager.