Weed and Seed program to expand to downtown

Erin Neff

Monday, Nov. 13, 2000 | 11:39 a.m.

If today's look of Meadows Village is any indication, the city of Las Vegas will benefit significantly from the expansion of a federal program called Weed and Seed.

The anti-violence, community revitalization program was expanded downtown last week to include more than 10,000 residents.

"Anything we can do to improve downtown will just continue reurbanization," Mayor Oscar Goodman said.

Weed and Seed has been touted for improving urban areas in West Las Vegas and in Meadows Village -- the neighborhood behind the Stratosphere tower once called the Naked City.

Weed and Seed designation allows the city to apply for federal grants to assist a neighborhood in turning itself around.

"What this will mean for the residents of the downtown area, it will allow them to apply for assistance," Stephen Rickman, federal director for the executive office of Weed and Seed, said. "This funding will be available for the next five years."

The area of downtown Las Vegas bounded by Las Vegas Boulevard, Bonanza Road, Bruce Street and Bonneville Avenue was designated the nation's newest Weed and Seed site last Thursday.

Now residents and grass-roots organizations in that area can apply for $1 million in aid each year. About 240 other sites nationwide will also be able to apply for the funds.

Weed and Seed has helped implement English-as-a- second-language programs at the Stupak Community Center in Meadows Village and computer labs and youth tutorials at West Middle School in West Las Vegas.

Part of Weed and Seed's focus is involving law enforcement in the areas to identify street criminals and work closer with law-abiding residents to combat crime.

Metro Police, the U.S. attorney's office, the FBI, the city's Neighborhood Services Department and a variety of community groups have helped make Weed and Seed work in Las Vegas.

Councilman Lawrence Weekly, whose ward encompasses West Las Vegas, said Metro needs to be commended for making a difference in that area.

"You all have established wonderful relationships with the people in the area," Weekly told Metro Sgt. Mike Dalley at a press conference last Thursday to announce Weed and Seed's expansion.