Council starts ball rolling on Fremont revitalization plan

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002 | 9:24 a.m.

The Las Vegas City Council is attempting to clear its first major hurdle to creating an entertainment district in a rundown neighborhood east of the Fremont Street Experience by introducing a bill that will waive the 1,500-foot distance requirement between bars.

The bill was read into the record at Wednesday's council meeting. It will be heard Sept. 26 at the Planning Commission meeting. If it is not held in abeyance, the bill then will go to a City Council Recommending Committee hearing on Sept. 30.

The bill addresses six downtown city blocks bound by Ogden Avenue, Carson Avenue, Las Vegas Boulevard and Eighth Street that have fallen into decay in the shadow of the Fremont Street Experience and the $99 million Neonopolis entertainment and retail center that opened this year.

"The bill does not create the potential for just a row of bars because there is an entertainment factor that requires the nightclub to provide blues, a disco, supper club, etc., that offers liquor as part of the entire experience," City Attorney Brad Jerbic said.

The bill requires each applicant to apply for a special use permit that spells out exactly what it plans to do with the property so that it can serve alcohol. Jerbic said the bill also allows for -- and he believes the City Council will mandate -- the creation of a business improvement district.

That would require the area's property owners to create a nonprofit association to address issues such as beautification and security. Jerbic said such a measure would create "a more controlled" environment.

Neighbors like the businesses of the Fremont Street Experience say by improving conditions on that portion of Fremont Street -- even by granting it a privilege unavailable in any other part of the city -- will create a winning situation for all.

"We've had numerous meetings with the city over this and we are confident that the city is trying to do the right thing," said Mark Paris, president of the Fremont Street Experience. "With improvement of this area, everyone benefits because more visitors will come downtown for a variety of entertainment."

Earlier this year, Paris questioned whether that section of Fremont Street was ready for a cluster of taverns and clubs because the area has had problems with crime and homelessness. However, he said, the city's decision not to allow package liquor or discount liquor stores as part of the revitalization efforts would stem further problems from developing.

Instead, the city is trying to create a district similar to such entertainment districts as City Place in West Palm Beach, Fla., and the Gaslamp District in San Diego, with sidewalk cafes, shopping and dance clubs.