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The City of Las Vegas is expected to begin construction on the Neon Boneyard Park on Feb. 8, 2010. When completed, the park will function as an extension of the Neon Museum campus.
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.
A rendering of the Neon Boneyard Park. The City of Las Vegas is expected to begin construction on the park on Feb. 8, 2010.
Spread over two lots in downtown Las Vegas, gated behind chain-link fences, sit more than 150 pieces of vintage Vegas. The relics belong to the Neon Museum, which has been collecting old signs since 1996 and showcasing them throughout the city and at its Neon Boneyard.
But with no place to adequately display its vast collection, the Neon Museum for years has been forced to operate on an appointment-only basis.
That will change with construction of the Neon Boneyard Park, which gets under way on Monday.
The park will be located on the corner of McWilliams Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard and will back up to what is now part of the Neon Boneyard. The project has been nearly five years in the making, Public Works Project Manager Gina Venglass said.
The $1.9 million improvement project will include development of the half-acre park and paving part of the Neon Boneyard for a parking lot. The Bureau of Land Management funding the project.
When the park is completed, Venglass said, visitors will find landscaping, benches, picnic tables, a stage and informational kiosks.
A sign made up of replicas of old neon letters will welcome visitors to the new park.
The company building the sign, Federal Heath, chose iconic letters from the old Horseshoe, Desert Inn, Caesars Palace and Golden Nugget signs to spell out the word “neon” in LED lighting.
“It’s not going to be a park that visitors drive across town to use. It’s really supposed to work hand-in-hand with the Neon Museum for visitors to use,” Venglass said.
The park will be located along the section of Las Vegas Boulevard that was recently designated a National Scenic Byway and is at the heart of the Las Vegas cultural corridor.
The corridor includes a concentration of the city’s cultural institutions such as the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park and the Reed Whipple Cultural Center.
“I think it’s a great example of how supportive the city is of the Neon Museum project and the cultural development of the downtown area,” Neon Museum Director of Operations Danielle Kelly said.
Because the city is resurfacing parts of the Neon Boneyard and moving signs in the process, it gave the museum the opportunity to bring its signs to the future fully-functioning museum, Kelly said.
The Neon Boneyard will move across McWilliams Avenue, behind the restored La Concha Motel lobby, which will serve as the visitor center.
The change will allow the Neon Museum to better serve visitors, expand public hours and operate under a general admission format, rather than visitors making appointments for tours, Kelly said.
In light of the construction, the Boneyard is closed to the public temporarily but will reopen in the spring for modified tours. The new facility should be up and running by the summer.
“So many great things are happening down here in the cultural corridor and downtown. We hope that the park is part of that,” Kelly said. “It’s is all a part of continuing to put energy into this area for people in the whole community to get some here and get to know their museums.”
Good job!
Another great thing for Las Vegas.
I love the culture and fun times of Las Vegas.
It is unique in the world. That's why I live here.
There is stuff here that is no where else.
Bob
bring back old time vegas. bring back the mafia(mob). they treat u better then corporate
I think it is Awesome, that the Old Casino Neon Signs are being brought back to life...............
BUT my concern is will the Taggers, etc leave them alone. I think it is a real shame that Kids, Adults or who ever has nothing more to do than to destroy property, and I would bet, but hope not, the Neon Signs will be targeted. If they are going to spend nearly Two Million Dollars on this display, I hope that includes Security Camera's..................
I for one look forward to visiting this display, and also hope many other Local's, Tourist will do the same..........
Good news indeed, I've driven by in the area in the past and the place was not really inviting for locals nor visitors. This is a great news that will add to the attractions in our city. On a different note I was at the Arts District's First Friday event last night and even if it was drizzling it was fun. Lots of people. I went gallery hopping and it was nice. We need places and events like the Neon Museum and First Friday to attract more visitors to our city.
Hopefully, the Nevada State Museum at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve can get funding and proceed with the construction of the said facility. I will be looking forward to the opening of this venue as well.
Spelling the word "neon" with LEDs is just wrong.
This will be such a fun place to visit when it is all finished. I was born and raised here and have seen so many changes over the past 47 yrs. It will certainly be a treat to visit the "Neon Bonyard Park."
Let the old bones rise again!
It will give the bums a place to hang out and drink...They are probably tired of going to the library....
You mean to tell me the city is spending money on this project?,in this economy?.Where does it stop?. 1.9 million dollars to put up old signs in a yard with benches so bands will have a place to film thier music videos. Asleep at the wheel is right ,the street people will be the ones using it, not the tourists. If the city has that kind of money for a neon sign yard why dont they have money to clean up the whole downtown corridor it looks like crap right along with the bone yard.
Comment removed by moderator. Comment was off-topic.
This is good news and it's about time, IF it's done right. Those old signs were so cool and need to remind us of Las Vegas' history and what this town was before the mega-corporations ruined it. It's also a much better idea than a mob museum exclusively (we know where Mayor Goodman's brains are). Perhaps they can combine the two, and more, into one facility detailing the history of Las Vegas. I'm sure the powers that be can come up with something tourists really want to see and not just a bone yard in an area of town no one wants to go, except the bums.
>> You mean to tell me the city is spending money on this project?,in this economy?.Where does it stop?. 1.9 million dollars to put up old signs in a yard with benches so bands will have a place to film thier music videos. Asleep at the wheel is right ,the street people will be the ones using it, not the tourists. If the city has that kind of money for a neon sign yard why dont they have money to clean up the whole downtown corridor it looks like crap right along with the bone yard. <<
Last I heard the BLM is a federal agency. Read the article, it says the BLM is funding the 1.9 million dollar project. Great for downtown!
I think this is great! Finally, a city that values it's past history. I always thought it was pretty great that the sign companies involved had the forethought to save some of these old "Vegas icons." As a somewhat cynical gambler (and out-of-towner), visiting this park would be reason enough for me to visit Las Vegas once again.
Finally the city of Las Vegas will shine again.
Bring back the past with a blast,of the good old days.
Up and Down Fremont St. is the best place to put them, because thats where it all started.
I stand corrected petef, the BLM is funding the money,,,, oh well thats makes it all better. What a waste of taxpayer dollars no matter what entity it comes from , that part of town is disgusting and a neon boneyard just adds to the disgust.
"The $1.9 million improvement project will include development of the half-acre park and paving part of the Neon Boneyard for a parking lot. The Bureau of Land Management funding the project"
No, we the taxpayers are funding the project. That is the problem with the media these days, be truthful, we are paying for this project, without us who choose to work and pay into the system, BLM wouldn't exist.
And $1.3 million out of the $1.9 million is going to pay nothing but illegal immigrants. There is something wrong in America and Americans are fed up. You liberals are being voted out and we're taking back what you seek to destroy, America. E-Verify must become law, no exceptions! It is our money, not the governments give to illegal immigrants.
As this project is being built, drive by and see how many employed are American, I for one who works in the construction trade have seen American's lose their jobs to illegal immigrants time and time again. Look around and see who is working on the projects, from single family homes, commercial, heavy highway, landscaping, etc" etc" the employer's are feeding illegal immigrants not Americans. When it involves our money, the illegal immigrants are paid quite well; they'll make excess of fifty four dollars an hour and more.
I am from the Philly area and visit Las Vegas 2 or 3 times a yr. We did the Neon Boneyard Tour about 2 yrs ago. It was fascinating- a real taste of the old Las Vegas. The guide was great. There were quite a few photographers on the tour. I think if this was marketed properly, a lot of tourists would visit. I think the locals don't realize what a gem this place could be.
The Park sounds super cool.
And for Its too hot: How do you know citizenship by looking at people? You sound like red state white trash. No one needs your low skilled labor. Go move back to Mississippi or whatever red state hole you are from. You are useless.
Another place for drug dealers and dog walkers. Get real Las Vegas.
Good idea,but come on,$1.9 Million???
fedup2here and its2hot can continue to live their lives as old curmudgeons while the rest of us enjoy a wonderful park, museum and take part of the history of this city.
and perry161492, the mob is coming back. the mob museum will add another cultural destination downtown when it gets built.
people travel from all over the world to see the current neon boneyard. many more will come to see a museum and many of these old vegas icons restored.
Awesome. I love this idea. Its good to see investments in the city other than casinos.
Great 1.9 mill and they are gonna lay off workers? idiots
BLM has some good qualities.