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Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com
An aerial view of downtown Las Vegas and the Fremont Street Experience.
Thursday, May 31, 2012 | 1:27 p.m.
Business and civic leaders launched the “Rediscover Downtown” campaign Thursday morning to announce a monthslong campaign targeting Las Vegas residents who may have never visited the area.
The announcement took place during a news conference in the parking lot of El Cortez Hotel & Casino on 6th Street, less than a block north of East Fremont Street where most of downtown’s “rebirth” is occurring. Rich Worthington, chairman of the Downtown Las Vegas Alliance, acknowledged that “downtown was once perceived as a place where there wasn’t much going on, a place that wasn’t safe, and a place where parking was scarce and difficult.”
Worthington, president/CEO of The Molasky Group of Cos., called the downtown of 2012 a “far cry from that unfortunate perception.” To make his point, he cited change in two categories of crime: Violent crimes downtown are down 18 percent from 2010; property crimes downtown are down more than 16 percent over the same time.
The Downtown Alliance is spending some $60,000 on the promotional campaign, said Terry Murphy, Alliance vice chair. The group is planning a “Rediscover Downtown Day” in October.
Worthington said Zappos, the online shoe/clothing retailer, “changed the game with its landmark decision to relocate downtown” in late 2009. Zappos’ CEO Tony Hsieh has since helped create the “Downtown Project,” which plans to invest $350 million in downtown real estate, residential development, small business, education and tech start-ups.
A Zappos representative appeared in a video created for the promotion but did not attend the news conference. Those who attended included Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Las Vegas City Council members Bob Beers and Bob Coffin, along with several owners and operators of downtown businesses.
I agree, we know what downtown looks like already, and we dont like it. The sidewalks really smell like urine, parking structures are literally falling over, I'm very serious, I've seen caution tape placed at parking structures preventing people from parking beyond a certain point because the floor was cracked and collapsible. A new downtown would mean leveling the existing buildings and start over. As it is, I cant park safely, walk around safely after sundown, breath inside the smoke penetrated casinos, give us something to go back to and we will...
Well, I could not DIS-agree more with bobthebuilder. I was down on Freemont St. and Freemont east last weekend and I was totally blown away at the new look of this area. It is totally different than I was used too and I have to say, I really enjoy this area more than the concrete jungle of the strip. Much more variety,and the prices are way more reasonable. I have to say that I give the Downtown a thumbs UP !
If you have not been downtown in a while, Make it a MUST do... ( I don't think you will regret it )
...
As a recent (tourist) I found Fremont St. a fun place to be. I was there all day and past midnight. The security presence was very visible. Sure there were some bums around but a close eye was kept on them. The place was clean and everyone seemed to have a good time. I did not see anymore crazy people there than I did on times square NYC or Quincy Market Boston. Parking was a breeze I Valet parked at Main st casino and took the walking overpass to Fremont st. The free bands playing were great. I say give it a try OH! I also won some money and got a lobster and steak dinner for $11.99 can't beat that.
If you guys that think downtown is full of homeless and drug addicts actually went downtown, they would find a place other than downtown to go. Plenty of hallows in NLV for them to wallow in. The more eyes that are down there, shopping, eating, and spending time in public spaces and parks the less homeless and addicts there would be.
I think the first couple commentors are talking about some other city.
Downtown Las Vegas is a great place to be. Fun, safe, great value, historic, and vibrant. A refreshing change from the strip. There have been several recent renovations and additions. Great time for downtown Las Vegas.
I almost always go downtown when I go out anymore (including the Smith Center). There are some great new bars on Fremont East (Don't Tell Mama, The Griffin, Downtown Cocktail Lounge, etc.) and some pretty good affordable restaurants, too. And guess what, you're not gonna pay $9 for drink there either. It can be a little edgy at times, but no more so than Greenwhich Village, Pioneer Square in Seattle, Deep Elum in Dallas, etc. But if you feel more comfy at home watching American Idol, who am I to judge ;)
I go downtown several times a week and always have a good time. I've also taken many friends and relatives down there, most who say they will never go to the strip again...
I think the moment that TeamSG1 said "class of people", we all understood why he can't enjoy downtown.
I just spent three days with an Australian media company, and they were fascinated and thrilled with what they saw of downtown. In fact, one of them made the point that he never really thought about coming to Las Vegas, but now he wants to come back. They particularly enjoyed the Arts District, spent a night eating and drinking on East Fremont, and were stunned by the Smith Center. They will be taking this message back home with them.
Big changes have happened, and big changes are coming. Downtown 3.0 is well on its way!
Downtown Vegas has what most other areas in Vegas do not: passion, community, edginess, colorful citizens, history, art, architecture, locally-owned cool places to hang and take care of business. What's not to like?
Once upon there was this place in New York that was a no go area populated with beatniks, that was Greenwich Village. Similarly, this neighborhood block called Harlem was a no-go area for decades.
Neighborhoods can and do change for the better if the community changes.
I live near Bob Stupaks old house on 3rd street, I use the parks, walk the streets and have never been mugged or hustled. Yes, I could be robbed and killed by some criminal tomorrow, but that could happen in Green Valley, Summerlin too. I would hate to live my life in fear like some of the commentators here.
I suppose if you just got out of jail or just returned from Monrovia, Liberia, downtown Las Vegas would seem fantastic. It has a real failed urban feel to it. Some might call it character. I am not impressed consider it a sick joke. It's an insult to anyone with common sense to try and pass it off as anything but a disjointed collection of bad ideas poorly executed. Every city has a place where people of low income and low intelligence and the pseudo hipsters can congregate. That place is downtown L.V.
"Every city has a place where people of low income and low intelligence and the pseudo hipsters can congregate."
Epic fail on all three accounts in my case, John. Keep that mind closed up good and tight and enjoy your exciting nights out at Applebee's.
I enjoyed it last time I was down there, and was surprised that I did. I felt totally safe and that silly "Insert Coins" place was some retro-fun.
Things change. Sometimes for the better. Except at Applebee's. Robert is right about that.
Downtown provides an outlet for Las Vegas residents who don't just want to sit in their stucco houses and go to the nearest strip mall for frozen yogurt on Friday night.
I'd love to hear what the naysayers here think about Union Square in San Francisco, Downtown LA, or nearly every neighborhood in New York.
I brought my business partner, a 55 year old born and raised las vegas republican guys guy, downtown a few weeks ago and he loved it. He's been taking our business lunches and evening drinks there ever since.
Whether the older generations of Las Vegas realize it, like it, or hate it, Downtown is making a full scale comeback.
It's First Friday in downtown tonight. Plenty of people will be out and enjoying art, culture, cocktails and food. Come on down and see for yourself! Or, hey, find me and I'll buy your first round.
Downtown is a revitalizing urban area, and just like any urban area (San Diego, for instance), there are good spots and not so good spots. But this Las Vegas native, one who works, eats and plays downtown, knows that anyone who is smelling urine on the sidewlks is probably in the areas where people buy drugs; but hey, if that's your thing ...