License plates can help save history

By Sam Skolnik (contact)

Sunday, May 18, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Las Vegas is celebrating its centennial — again!

In a drive to raise money for several historic preservation efforts, city officials have reintroduced Centennial license plates, which feature the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign on them.

The license plate program was instituted in 2005 to celebrate the city’s 100-year anniversary. Other ways in which city went to town for its big day included reviving the downtown Helldorado Parade (which took place Saturday) and creating the world’s biggest birthday cake.

This time, the cash-strapped city will use money from the license plates to fund the rehabilitation of the historic downtown post office and former federal courthouse at 300 Stewart Ave., which is being turned into a Mob Museum.

Other projects the city will fund from the proceeds include moving the lobby of the former La Concha Motel to the Neon Boneyard, where it will serve as the museum’s entryway, and saving the historic Stardust casino sign.

The “Fabulous” design that adorns the Centennial license plate was created by Betty Whitehead Willis in 1959. The specialized plates can be purchased for $61 (which includes a $25 donation to the city’s preservation efforts) by going online to www.dmvnv.com/platescharitable.htm.

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The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Union Park isn’t Las Vegas’ only effort to foster a more complete and cohesive arts community downtown.

The city’s redevelopment agency is converting the historic Fifth Street School at 401 S. Fourth St. into a “cultural oasis” that will house several groups and agencies dedicated to the arts. (The school’s name reflects its original entrance on Fifth Street, now Las Vegas Boulevard.)

But the building also will serve another purpose: to pay homage to the students and staff of the old Las Vegas Grammar School.

In preparation for a celebration this fall, city officials are attempting to find people who attended or worked at the grammar school from 1936 to 1966.

The redevelopment agency will recognize these folks during the celebration. Officials also are searching for any photos or other memorabilia from the school during that period.

Those who can provide any mementos or recollections of the grammar school are asked to call 229-4955 or go to www.lasvegasnevada.gov/5thstreetschool.

The newly renovated Spanish Mission-style building will be home to the Nevada School for the Arts, the UNLV Downtown Design Center and the local office of the American Institute of Architects, as well as the city’s office of cultural affairs.

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Last we checked, Las Vegas was smack dab in the middle of a desert.

But that didn’t stop the Las Vegas City Council recently from adopting the state’s Urban Forestry Initiative.

There will be many practical benefits, officials say. The city has received a $38,000 grant from the state’s forestry agency, as well as $10,000 from the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

The money will be spent first on taking inventory of the city’s shade tree population. Then officials will focus on the purchasing and planting of new trees. One main goal is to double the city’s shade tree canopy coverage by 2035.

Shade trees provide numerous benefits, especially to the scorched-earth landscape that covers much of the city. Among other things, they improve air quality and stormwater management, reduce the urban heat index and increase property values.

What’s more, they can make “street level” activities such as walking, shopping and cycling more pleasant. Oh yeah, and they’re nice to look at. Long story short: Trees are good.

The new funding comes as city officials have accumulated statistics showing just how little shade can be found throughout the city. The section of the city with the least shade is the north’s Ward 6, which has only 3.72 percent coverage.