LV Boulevard businesses will get city help sprucing up

Diana Sahagun

Friday, Feb. 9, 2001 | 10:12 a.m.

Hoping tourists will continue to flock to downtown and visit the smaller restaurants and boutiques, the city of Las Vegas will start giving out grants to spruce up the neighborhood block by block.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday that seven business owners on Las Vegas Boulevard -- between Charleston Boulevard and Gass Avenue -- will be given up to $10,000 each to fix up their facade under a new program.

While similar programs in other jurisdictions require businesses to foot some of the bill for improvements, the city's new program will be cost-free.

"They're getting this money, no strings attached," he said.

The city's Neighborhood Services Program is spearheading the program and so far the department has $80,000 to grant to small businesses looking to enhance their appearance. The long-term goal is to extend the program to businesses down the entire corridor to give the street a more continuous look, Goodman said.

Leafing through pictures in her office, Neighborhood Services Director Sharon Segerblom pointed to older businesses with haphazard signage, varying color schemes and chain fences.

In enhanced pictures of possible solutions, the businesses have a continuous awning with the same colors, large planters, decorative lanterns, and benches.

"Small-business owners have a very difficult time," Segerblom said. "We're trying to assist them in making their businesses more attractive and starting an oasis downtown."

The funds can go toward new lighting, doors, windows, signage and landscaping.

Businesses can apply through the neighborhood services department and applications will be taken for the next several weeks.

"The mayor has put a priority on downtown and there is not a successful city I know of that does not have a successful downtown," Segerblom said. "We have to start somewhere."