TRUCKEE and#8212; The quest to get Truckee’s historic downtown area into the National Register of Historic Districts could come to fruition at the end of the month.

The State Historic Resources Commission in Sacramento is scheduled to hear Truckee’s application, which submits Commercial Row and part of Brickelltown as a historic district, on July 31.

and#8220;We picked Commercial Row and Brickelltown because that was the starting point of Truckee after the fire of 1876 and#8212; Commercial Row became the first commercial district, and Brickelltown was the first residential,and#8221; said Town Planner Duane Hall. and#8220;In trying to establish our historical context and why Truckee is unique, the railroad played an important role in shaping Commercial Row and Brickelltown.and#8221;

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The town in 2004 tried to get the historic district designation, but narrowed the application down this time to make sure at least two-thirds of the buildings in the district are historic, Hall said.

and#8220;The last application never got to the commission because it was incomplete,and#8221; Hall said.

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This time, with the help of local archaeology consultant Susan Lindstrom, Hall said they met the complex criteria of the application process.

Becoming a historic district brings recognition to Truckee, as well as some funding and tax credit programs to historic property owners, Hall said.

Mark Estee, executive chef at Moody’s and chair of the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association historic design committee, said the designation would be welcome.

and#8220;We couldn’t be more excited about it,and#8221; Estee said. and#8220;I absolutely think for downtown businesses, for the town, and for the people it adds a good feel and validates what we already know about Truckee and#8212; it’s a special place.and#8221;

Truckee previously earned state recognition in 2004 for historic preservation with the California Governor’s Historic Preservation Award.