A resolution adopted by the municipal council aims to rename Las Vegas and encourage tourism; However, some fear not having been consulted before the rule was adopted.
During a regular meeting of the municipal council last month, the Council approved resolution 24-36, intended to create an entertainment district around Plaza Park and the Bridge Street Corridor. City officials said that the measure is intended to rename Las Vegas after the devastating fire of Hermits Peak / Calf Canyon, emphasizing the art and entertainment of the city on fishing, hiking or camping.
“Since the (Hermits Peak / Calf Canyon Fire) came into play, we can no longer count on our fishing or our hike,” said community development director Lucas Marquez during a telephone interview with The Optic.
“We have to return to our roots,” added Marquez. “And our roots are in our Plaza district and with our historic buildings.”
The resolution allows restaurants, bars, nightclubs, live music, theaters, art galleries, retail stores and hotels to operate in the entertainment district.
Companies that are now prohibited in the region include surety bonds, behavioral / mental health clinics, striptease / sexual entertainment clubs for adults, service stations, mechanical / bodywork workshops, industrial facilities, Transitioning houses, rehabilitation centers and food distribution or shelters, to name some.
The municipal councilor Barbara Casey said during a telephone interview with the optics that the city wanted to ensure that companies will not change the atmosphere of the region.
“When I read the resolution, I felt that it was something that would protect the beauty of Las Vegas and encouraged tourists to come in Las Vegas,” said Casey.
Casey said the City is still hosting new businesses; However, with the entertainment district in place, all new companies in this field should “note parameters of what other companies are there”.
“If you want to buy a building in this particular area, you must follow the rules required in resolution,” said Casey, adding that there are other areas in Las Vegas which can accommodate companies that do not line up on resolution.
Companies already in the entertainment district will be allowed to continue working, whether or not they comply with resolution, said Marquez.
Marquez acknowledged that neither the business owners of the entertainment district nor the owners of buildings had been contacted about the resolution before its adoption.
The director of the city, Tim Montgomery, noted that although the resolution cannot be modified, it is more than willing to speak to a company or the owner of the building who wishes to discuss the new mandate.
“I can make myself to hear concerns and reiterate what is happening,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery said that the resolution will serve as a springboard, not only to the possible creation of a prescription, but also to the creation of entertainment districts in other regions of Las Vegas.
“(Resolution) gives us time to … write in depth the prescription with any additional or specific detail that can be added,” said Montgomery.
Local entrepreneurs expressed their concern for not knowing the resolution before its adoption.
“They should have … consulted organizations trying to support purchases here and not just doing so by themselves,” said Andrea Gottschalk, owner of Unikat Fine Jewelry located on Bridge Street. “It was something that shocked me a little, that no one was consulted.”
“I understand the thought behind (resolution),” continued Gottschalk. “But it is always preferable that companies are consulted … so that we can also have a contribution.”
Tito Chavez, who owned and operated the Tito gallery last year and also said that he loved the idea behind the resolution, although he was not familiar with his details until he be contacted by optics.
“I am in favor of keeping (the area) as much as possible,” said Chavez. He noted that the only part of the resolution with which he disagreed was the restriction of housing. The resolution does not allow a company to have residential areas on the first floor.
“I think it should be reformulated,” he said. “If the building is large enough, I could very well see a lively district in the rear section without interfering with the company.”
The president of Las Vegas First Community Service Foundation, Susie Tsyitee, expressed her concern for empty buildings located in the entertainment district.
“I know that these do not attract tourists, but people may need their filled buildings,” she said. “They need to have income while they are trying to sell their building”
“I certainly do not want to do anything who frightened tourists far from Bridge Street and Place,” added Tsyitee. “I think they should be welcome. At the same time, I don’t think it’s just for people who already have buildings. »»