Area in downtown Las Vegas renamed Symphony Park

The 61-acre former railroad yard owned by Las Vegas is called Symphony Park.

The Las Vegas City Council changed the name Wednesday after hearing about a "brand review" study that said the previous name -- Union Park -- wasn't distinctive enough for the downtown site.

It's already home to the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, and construction on the Smith Center for the Performing Arts is scheduled to begin soon in the middle of the tract.

Plans call for a casino, high-end hotels, restaurants, an international jewelry center and residences on the site as well.

But the old name didn't evoke a sense of place or thoughts of arts and culture, said Rita Brandin, an executive of Newland Communities, which is managing development at the place formerly known as Union Park.

"Art and culture truly are the heart of what we're bringing here," Brandin told council members.

Councilman and Las Vegas native Ricki Barlow wondered whether removing a reminder of Union Pacific railroad, which used to own the property, would cover up another piece of local history.

"Something Las Vegas has not done a good job of is historical preservation," Barlow said. "I call this, 'The city of implosion.' "

Brandin said some kind of display or marker could be included in the development.

And, added Mayor Oscar Goodman, "The one thing that we'll always have is the railroad track."

The $110,000 study was done with money allocated to Symphony Park's marketing budget.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.