Whether you would like to join our investment team, own one of these beautiful structures, run a small business, or volunteer to help create the committees that will see this project through to completion, there is a place for you. We look forward to hearing from you! Email to inquire about the project: history@EvansPark.org
How many homes are you saving?
At this point, our proposed plan can host up to eleven of the twelve historic houses located in the University's Gateway District.
Why do the houses have to move at all?
The University of Nevada, Reno has issued a RFP (Request for Proposals) to relocate all twelve historic houses in the Gateway. The University's Master Plan completed in 2014 calls for the construction of new campus structures on the sites of these historic houses, which requires that they be relocated in order to avoid their demolition. Completed proposals are due to UNR on June 7. Although our first choice was to preserve the homes in place, this plan keeps them together and gives us the opportunity to develop a park that is a win-win for many in the community.
Will the park commemorate the Native Americans who lived in the park area prior to the arrival of the Evans and others?
We would love to see interpretive signage be a part of this project. If we are awarded the RFP, we will form citizen committees to generate ideas about how this can be incorporated. Because Evans Historic Park would remain a city park, all signage would go through a process of approval by the city's Historical Resources Commission and the Recreation & Parks Commission.
Where is the parks meeting?
The May 15th meeting is at McKinley Arts and Culture Center. You can see the schedule of opportunities to support or learn about this project on our Calendar
The master plan map put out by the University appears to show the entire area between Virginia Street and Evans (between 9th and I-80) as part of the planned Gateway District and this would include Evans Park. Wouldn't this plan conflict with that? Also, why not move the houses to an otherwise blighted block south of I-80?
Evans Park is a city park by a deed restriction. The City’s Parks department voted two years ago not to sell the park to UNR for campus expansion. This plan keeps Evans Park a city park and does not sell off any of the land. The Evans Historic Park concept creates a business district at the base of campus and keeps the historic structures as near as possible to their original location while creating an amenity for the campus and surrounding community. Our proposed endowment to City Parks would not be possible without the use of Evans Park.
Can I buy one of the homes to live in?
Every building in our proposal will be used for commercial business purposes.
Are you asking to sell Evans Park?
No. Evans Park will stay a public park and there will be open space and more reasons to spend time there. Businesses around the perimeter will lease the land from the city, and the money will be used for regional parks and historic planning.
