Beltway bridge named for valley’s political pioneer
After nearly two decades immersed in politics, a now-82-year-old Las Vegas man helped develop groundbreaking projects that are now essential to Las Vegans every day. For his contributions, his name is affixed on a sign on the 215 Beltway, recognizing one of his more significant projects.
Paul Christensen served on the Las Vegas City Council for 11 years and the Clark County Commission for 12 years.
“Paul was one of the first visionaries of Las Vegas,” said North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee. “Since he was one of the first to work with the city and then transferred to the county, he was able to immerse both governments together. He left his fingerprints all over everything huge in the Las Vegas Valley.”
Christensen was born on Aug. 26, 1932. His family moved to Las Vegas in 1939 from Milford, Utah.
They opened M.J. Christensen Diamonds jewelry shop at First and Fremont streets. The store was named for his father.
After Christensen graduated from Las Vegas High School, he attended Brigham Young University and participated in the junior Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
After he earned a degree in marketing, he enlisted in the Air Force. He served as a pilot during the Korean War and returned to Las Vegas in 1957 to work in the family’s jewelry stores.
His father served in the Nevada State Assembly in the 1950s and the Nevada State Senate in the 1960s.
He married Norma Lee, on June 10, 1952, with whom he had four children.
In the 1970s, Christensen followed in his father’s political footsteps for a seat on the Las Vegas City Council. He was re-elected in 1977 and 1981.
“He isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially those who didn’t like being told the truth,” said Lucy Stewart, former business partner. “But he left a legacy of getting things done, and he was always fair. He had the ability to look at both sides of a situation.”
During his time on the City Council, he worked to widen Jones Boulevard, increase the number of firefighters and improve police presence in the city.
Christensen, who held conservative Democratic beliefs, also worked to decrease red tape and maintain the integrity of elected officials.
In 1984, voters elected Christensen to the Clark County Commission.
He was re-elected in 1988 and 1992, but he lost his seat in 1996 to Lance Malone.
During his 12 years on the Commission, Christensen worked to improve parks and public services and enhance the reputation of the County Commission.
Throughout his many years in politics, the biggest issues he faced were sanitation, water shortage and growth, said his daughter, Laura Haven.
“He was instrumental in forming the water authority and in coming up with the idea to build the 215 Beltway,” said Judy Brailsford, neighbor. “It’s been a godsend; what would we do if we didn’t have the Beltway? He just really cared about this neighborhood.”
Following his defeat for County Commission, Christensen was appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn to serve on the transportation services authority board for approximately five years, during which time he became the chairman.
On Oct. 15, 2013, Clark County commissioners voted unanimously to approve naming the bridge over Decatur Boulevard at the Northern 215 Las Vegas Beltway the Paul J. Christensen Bridge.
“The whole Beltway should be named after him since it was his idea,” said Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins. “He was a pioneer of developing the growth of this community.”
Christensen continues to live in Las Vegas, where he is retired and healing from a broken leg. He enjoys spending time with his wife, children, 11 grandchildren and four, soon to be five, great-grandchildren.
“He came from a line of politicians, so naturally, politics ran in his veins,” Haven said. “People don’t realize that he did so much as a politician for this community. Having the bridge named after him is a nice reminder of all he has accomplished.”
Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.