Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman says a pair of under-construction city parking garages mark the start of a new phase of development at Symphony Park.
Goodman told State of Nevada that the two garages — with 1,200 spaces and a price tag of $33 million — are needed because of demand from the nearby Clark County Government Center, outlet mall, and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
“We are trying to make the heart of the city a very pedestrian friendly — and of course, work, fun friendly,” she said, adding the additional parking will attract visitors from the perimeter of the valley who can stroll among the shopping, dining and entertainment options.
The garages and first-floor retail space also will serve a pair of mixed-use multifamily residential projects that are in development at Symphony Park, a master-planned area that sits at the west end of downtown on the site of a former railroad yard.
The 61 acres of old railyard has been slowly transformed over the years as more development arrives.
“It has become the jewel of the city if the not the jewel of the desert,” Goodman said.
Following the retail and apartment space, there is a proposed expansion of the World Market Center, a non-gaming business hotel, and, eventually, a casino resort.
Goodman said she is optimistic these projects will become reality, unlike some proposals for the area, which over the years included a jewelry marketplace, sports stadium, and high-rise condos.
“These are people that are already in the ground. They’ve gone through the planning. They’ve gone through building safety, initial phasing. These are do’s. These are all go’s,” she said.
She blamed the recession for scuttling the earlier plans.
While the recession hurt several plans for re-development downtown, a constant issue threatens to keep those plans derailed: homelessness.
Goodman admits it is a huge issue but says the new mayor's fund, which is a crowdfunding effort the city has undertaken, will help fuel economic development and address some of the issues with homelessness downtown.
Carolyn Goodman, mayor, City of Las Vegas