Jacobs Entertainment announces Sands Connect, a brand-new gathering space on West Fourth Street between Gold Dust West and Sands Regency as part of Reno’s Neon Line District. The area will include a festival tent and an open promenade. The perimeter of the Sands Connect will feature phase two of Reno’s Neon Line, including historic Reno neon signs as well as Burning Man art installations. The space activates West Fourth Street by providing a location for community events, festivals, private gatherings and more.

Construction will begin March 1, 2020. 

“As we look to build a new city district, we realize the undeniable need for a central event space that will allow the community as well as out of town visitors to gather,” said Jeffrey Jacobs, CEO of Jacobs Entertainment. “Reno’s Neon Line is about celebrating Reno’s future, while also embracing its past. The Sands Connect does that — the perfect combination of Reno’s historic past and what is still to come.”

Sands Connect will encompass an open promenade with two monumental Burning Man art installations as well as nine iconic Reno neon signs that pay homage to the city’s past. Sands Connect will be completed in the spring of 2020.

The two additional sculptures to be added into Reno’s Neon Line include: 

• Broken But Together by Michael Benisty, a 22-foot silver, reflective couple holding hands symbolizing the ability of imperfect people finding solace in a relationship 
• Polar Bear by Don Kennell and Lisa Adler, a 35-foot polar bear composed of scrap car hoods helping shed light on habitat preservation 

Additionally, the project will include a beer garden located near Polar Bear, selfie areas and an open promenade with a picnic area and outdoor stage. The east side of the property will be transformed into an exhibit space for RV shows, outdoor shows, farmers’ markets, overflow parking for events and more. Patrons will also be able to enjoy delicious bites from circulating local food trucks. 

The legendary Nystrom House will be placed on the west side of the property. The nearly 150-year-old gothic-style home served as a divorce boarding house, assisting divorce-seekers needing to fulfill residency requirements in order to begin divorce proceedings. The Nystrom house will be the property’s food and beverage hub and redesigned with porches to create an open bar concept.

Sands Connect will host nine confirmed multi-day events in 2020, and more than double to around 20 events in the following year. This year’s Sands Connect events include:

• June 5 – 7: Reno Art Fest at Sands Connect
• July 3 – 5: Red, White & Brew at Sands Connect
• August 6 – 9: Sierra Nevada European Car Festival at Sands Connect
• August 28 – 29: Camp Tiny Houses at Sands Connect
• September 4 – 6: Labor Day Weekend Party at Sands Connect
• September 7 – 9: Playa Transition at Sands Connect
• September 11 – 12: Little Hero’s at Sands Connect
• September 19 – 20: Taco Fest at Sands Connect
• September 25 – 27: Street Vibrations at Sands Connect

Reno’s Neon Line District is a $1 billion, mixed-use project that stretches from downtown Reno’s West Street to Keystone Avenue, and from Interstate 80 South to West Second Street. This brand-new live-work-play district will serve as a hub for all ages celebrating Reno’s eccentric culture through pedestrian-friendly amenities, public art, restaurants, retail and entertainment venues.