Optic File Photo
A resolution passed by the city council aims to rebrand Las Vegas and encourage tourism; however, some are concerned they were not consulted prior to the rule being passed.
During a regular city council meeting last month, the council approved Resolution 24-36, intended to help create an entertainment district around Plaza Park and the Bridge Street Corridor. City officials said the measure is intended to rebrand Las Vegas following the devastating Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, emphasizing the city’s art and entertainment over fishing, hiking or camping.
“Since the (Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire) came into play, we can’t rely on our fishing or our hiking too much anymore,” said Community Development Director Lucas Marquez during a telephone interview with The Optic.
“We have to go back to our roots,” Marquez added. “And our roots are within our Plaza district and with our historic buildings.”
The resolution allows for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, live music venues, theaters, art galleries, retail shops and hotels to operate in the entertainment district.
Businesses that are now prohibited in the area include bail bondsmen, behavioral/mental health clinics, strip clubs/adult sexual oriented entertainment, gas stations, mechanic/body shops, industrial facilities, halfway houses, rehabilitation centers and food distribution or shelters, to name a few.
City Councilor Barbara Casey said during a telephone interview with The Optic that the city wants to ensure that businesses do not come in that are going to change the ambience of the area.
“When I read the resolution, I felt it was something that would protect the beauty of Las Vegas, and encourage tourists to come to Las Vegas,” Casey said.
Casey said the city always welcomes new businesses; however, with the entertainment district in place any new businesses in that area would have to “fall within the parameters of what the other businesses are there.”
“If you want to buy a building within this particular area you have to follow the rules that are required in the resolution,” Casey said, adding that there are other areas in Las Vegas that can accommodate businesses that do not align with the resolution.
Businesses already in the entertainment district will be allowed to continue operating whether or not they conform to the resolution, Marquez said.
Marquez acknowledged that neither business owners in the entertainment district nor building owners were contacted about the resolution before it was passed.
City Manager Tim Montgomery noted that although the resolution cannot be changed, he is more than willing to speak to any business or building owner who wants to discuss the new mandate.
“I make myself available to hear concerns and reiterate what is taking place,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery went on to state that the resolution will serve as a stepping stone, not only towards the possible creation of an ordinance, but also towards creating entertainment districts in other areas in Las Vegas.
“(The resolution) gives us time to … thoroughly write the ordinance with any additional or specific detail that may need to be added,” Montgomery said.
Local entrepreneurs expressed concern at not knowing about the resolution before it was passed.
“They should have … consulted organizations that are trying to support shopping here and not just do this on their own,” said Andrea Gottschalk, owner of Unikat Fine Jewelry located on Bridge Street. “That was something I was a little shocked by, that nobody was consulted.”
“I do understand the thought behind (the resolution),” Gottschalk went on to state. “But it is always better if businesses are consulted … so that we can have an input, too.”
Tito Chavez, who until last year owned and operated Tito’s Gallery on Bridge Street, also said he liked the idea behind the resolution, although he was unfamiliar with its details until contacted by The Optic.
“I’m in favor of keeping (the area) as retail as possible,” Chavez said. He noted that the only part of the resolution he disagreed with was the restriction on living quarters. The resolution does not allow for a business to have first-floor living quarters.
“I think that should be reworded,” he said. “If the building’s large enough, I could very well see a living quarter in the back section without interfering with the business.”
Las Vegas First Community Service Foundation president Susie Tsyitee expressed concern for the empty buildings located in the entertainment district.
“I know those don’t attract tourists, but people may need their buildings filled,” she said. “They need to have some income while they try to sell their building”
“I certainly don’t want to do anything that would scare tourists away from Bridge Street and the Plaza,” Tsyitee added. “I think they should be welcomed. At the same time, I don’t think that this is fair to the people who already have buildings.”