RTC Receives APA Awards
The Nevada Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) awarded the RTC’s 4th Street/Prater Way Corridor Plan two DeBoer Awards at its fall conference at the University of Nevada, Reno. The plan received the 2015 Outstanding Plan and 2015 Outstanding Environmental or Cultural Plan.
This plan is the basis for the 4th Street/Prater Way Bus Rapid Transit Project now under development. The project includes acquiring four new electric buses and adding bus stations that will include artistic features and historical information about the corridor. Additionally, bike lanes will be installed and wider sidewalks to enhance pedestrian activity and improve ADA access. The project will better link Downtown Reno and Downtown Sparks, connecting people to educational opportunities and more than 45,000 jobs in the 4th Street/Prater Way and Virginia Street corridors.
RTC Executive Director Lee Gibson also received recognition from the APA. He is the recipient of the 2015 President’s Award for his leadership and contributions to the Nevada planning community. Gibson directs an agency budget that exceeds $300 million and manages a staff of 68 professional employees who manage planning, design, construction and operations of highway and transit projects. Gibson was appointed to his position at the RTC in 2009.