Las Vegas schedules redevelopment expansion hearings
Las Vegas is holding a series of public meetings to discuss expanding the city's redevelopment area, which includes zones where special programs are available to attract investment and new businesses.
The areas to be added are in Wards 1, 3 and 5. Expanding the redevelopment area into Ward 1 has long been a goal of Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian, who represents Ward 1. The existing redevelopment area covers parts of Wards 3 and 5.
In March, the Las Vegas City Council asked for an study of adding 690 acres to the redevelopment area in Wards 3 and 5 and establishing a new area totaling 874 acres in Ward 1, mostly along Decatur Avenue from Sahara Avenue to the Meadows Mall.
Part of the plan would add more of West Las Vegas, a historically black neighborhood bounded by Bonanza Road, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Vegas Drive and Interstate 15, to the area.
Parts of that neighborhood are in the redevelopment area now, but community opposition kept large swaths of it out when the area was created in 1986.
"The folks who were objecting to it thought we were going to encroach on their neighborhoods and interfere with their quality of life," said Mayor Oscar Goodman. "I don't think the city really explained what a redevelopment area is and what benefits can come to a community."
So far, one meeting in Ward 5 and four in Ward 1 have been scheduled. Additional hearings will be set up in Wards 3 and 5 .
Here is the schedule of meetings:
■ 6 p.m. Tuesday, Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St.
■ 6:30 p.m. July 20, Las Vegas Valley Water District, Mead Room, 3700 W. Charleston Blvd.
■ 6:30 p.m. July 22, YMCA Classroom 2, 4141 Meadows Lane
■ 6:30 p.m. July 27, Kaplan College Room 157, 3535 W. Sahara Ave.
■ 5:30 p.m. July 29, West Charleston Library , 6301 W. Charleston Blvd.
