City promises plenty of festival parking, access for area residents

The city’s parking director said Monday there should be plenty of parking spots available for this weekend’s music, food and arts festival in downtown Las Vegas.

Road closures were already beginning Monday for the Life is Beautiful festival, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to a 15-block, cordoned-off area just east of the Fremont Street Experience this Saturday and Sunday.

City officials and festival organizers touted their partnership at a press briefing Monday.

Parking Services Director Brandy Stanley said there should be “plenty” of parking spots, but she acknowledged that they won’t always be easy to find. She advised parking at the World Market Center and using the shuttle buses operated by the festival organizers. Those cost $40.

“It just may save time,” she said.

Otherwise, festival-goers who drive might be able to find a spot somewhere downtown, but there will be many road closures. The festival generally will close roads between U.S. Highway 95 and Carson Avenue and the streets surrounding Fremont Street east of Las Vegas Boulevard.

Those staying on the Strip can also buy shuttle tickets at $40 each from festival organizers.

Taxis, limousines and buses might be a viable option for some people, though. Locals planning to go can park in one of a dozen “park & ride” lots around town and take the public bus to and from the festival.

Music acts include the Killers and Kings of Leon, among dozens of others.

Las Vegas police officer Justin White said police will staff the event like they have other public events in recent history. He wouldn’t say exactly how many officers would be working the festival, but noted that they’ll be inside and outside the festival’s boundaries.

Festival Chief Operating Officer Ashley Goodhue said there are only a few people who live within the festival’s boundaries, at a residential hotel. Those people have been given passes to allow them to come and go as needed.

For those who live in the area and still have questions, City Councilman Bob Coffin, whose district contains downtown, said festival staffers will be manning a special phone line all weekend to receive complaints and help work out a solution. That number is 702-245-2191.

More information can be found at lifeisbeautifulfestival.com or www.lasvegasnevada.gov.

Contact reporter Richard Lake at rlake@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307. You can find him on Twitter at @richardlake.