A proposed $50 million project would improve many amenities on Virginia Street between the University of Nevada and Midtown Reno.
The Regional Transportation Commission is leading the way on the project that could support economic growth and redevelopment in the Reno area.
Joe Harrington with RTC says an improved bus route and more bike lanes are some of the changes that could take place.
“We want UNR students to be able to access all the businesses here, everything that Reno has to offer and for people to go up to the University of Nevada,” says Harrington.
He also says parking changes would be in the works, with proposed Americans With Disabilities Act compliant sidewalks.
Paul Deoge owns Recycled Records in Midtown and says the sidewalks are in poor condition and too narrow in some places.
His hope is that this project will make the community safer and more connected.
“We really want to have it, so it's really a comfortable walk for our customers and Midtown clientele, to be able to just go through and enjoy the neighborhood as it is and if you can put some trees and some benches and stuff like that, it could really make Midtown a really nice jewel in Reno's crown,” says Deoge.
Currently the proposed improvements would happen between Maple and 15th Street near the university and from Liberty Street to Plumb Lane in Midtown.
Construction would not begin until 2017 at the earliest.
