Las Vegas is known for, and sometimes even applauded for, its penchant for imploding the old to make way for the new.
But that’s not always the case.
And now the city is thinking about trying to get more of its older neighborhoods registered as National Historic places.
One of those neighborhoods is Huntridge, which is located generally southeast of the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Maryland Parkway.
It get its name from the Huntridge Theater, a Las Vegas landmark which sits at the corner.
Many of the homes in the area were built between 1940 and 1945.
KNPR's State of Nevada talked to Melissa Clary, Huntridge Neighborhood Association president, about what a designation would mean for one of the oldest residential areas in Las Vegas.
"At the state and national listing level, it's really more of a celebratory recognition for the historical significance of the time period in which our neighborhood originated," she said.
If it is designated by the city, any major changes to the outside of a home would first have to be approved.
Clary believes becoming an historic district will help the whole neighborhood and surrounding area.
"i think we'll be a greater force to be reckoned with," she said. "The recognition would open our neighborhood up to possible grant funding at the national or federal level."
The nearby John S. Park neighborhood was designated an Historic Place about 10 years ago. Clary said homeowners have seen property values increase and overall the neighborhood improve.
If the same thing were to happen in the Huntridge neighborhood, Clary said it would take the efforts of involved neighbors not city, state or federal officials.
"It will take our neighborhood association and active residents really hitting the streets to talk to neighbors but definitely I think it will spur exciting changes on the outskirts," she said.
Clary is not sure if the designation would help the restoration of the dilapidated Huntridge Theater because the theater is in private hands, currently.
Melissa Clary, president, Huntridge Neighborhood Association
