Retail development planned at busy crossroads

The corner of Fremont Street and Eastern Avenue is one of the busiest intersections in the city. It's also considered one of the ugliest.

What was once part of a thriving central neighborhood has deteriorated into a stretch of dilapidated hotels, empty buildings and vacant lots.

On Wednesday, the Las Vegas City Council approved a developer's plan to raze the blight and start anew -- provided, of course, that the project can be financed.

"Some things happen. Some things don't. I guess I'm being pessimistic this time," said Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese, whose ward includes this intersection, where Eastern, Fremont, Charleston Boulevard and Boulder Highway meet.

"I just hope that we can get something done ASAP," Reese said.

Dubbed the Las Vegas Gateway Center, the proposed project would occupy the northwest and southwest corners of Fremont and Eastern.

There would be 95,575 square feet of space, including a supermarket, retail shops and restaurants, said Arnold Stalk, a consultant representing the property owners, Mary Barstas 22 LLC. A closed nightclub would also be reopened as a salsa club.

Many existing buildings would be demolished, including the Blue Angel Motel, the Vegas Motel, which are still operating, and the Pair-a-Dice Motel, which is not.

While those businesses have fallen on tough times, their neon signs are considered to be worth saving, and the Neon Museum has gotten involved.

"We're thrilled with this project," said Bill Marion, chairman of the museum's board of trustees.

He said he also has a personal interest in the development.

"I grew up in this neighborhood," he told the City Council. "Fremont Street used to be a vibrant area from Eastern all the way to Main Street.

"This is a project that brings that anchor back."

The Blue Angel statue on the motel might be incorporated into signage at the intersection, Stalk said.

Before there are signs and new buildings, however, there has to be money.

"This is great," said Councilman Steve Ross. "When are you going to tear those other structures down and when are you going to build this?"

Stalk estimated a two-year time frame, but said the project most likely will materialize "in increments," given the recession and the fact that financing is difficult to come by.

The first increment should be the demolition of the motels, Reese said.

"They are not kept up. They are a blight," he said. "I would rather see vacant ground there."

While the area is much maligned, it has seen some development. A Lowe's home improvement store is nearby, and Tesco opened a Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market at Fremont and Eastern in what used to be a Rite-Aid.

And the sheer volume of traffic there -- an estimated 80,000 cars a day, Stalk said, not counting mass transit access -- means retailers are likely to take notice.

"If this were any other corner ... I would say it's marginal," Stalk said. "I think we go in with a tremendous advantage."

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