As we get ready to welcome 2022, we take a look back at 10 moments from 2021:
March 2021 - Restaurant Row @ E. Carson Ave
We launched Restaurant Row in downtown Las Vegas to highlight the restaurant community with clear wayfinding signs. The area is home to a number of restaurants including 7th & Carson, Bocho, Donut Bar, Carson Kitchen, Downtown Terrace, VegeNation, Juice Stars and EAT. Learn more.
April 2021 –Welcome Back
After over a year, we began welcoming residents and visitors back to city facilities and events including First Friday.
May 2021 – Municipal Court Opens
The four-story, nearly 140,000-square-foot building opened to the public May 3, marking the our Municipal Court services move from the Regional Justice Center to the new location. The courthouse incudes chambers and offices for all six municipal court judges. It also includes space for the city’s Traffic Court, court administration, customer service, classrooms and public space. It is also home to the City Attorney’s Office Criminal Division, creating a one-stop-shop for municipal justice needs.
July 2021 – The Smith Center Reopens
On July 14, the ghost light at The Smith Center was dimmed. The lights turned on and the curtains were raised for the first time in 482 days. Watch the video.
August 2021 – Las Vegas Olympians
Las Vegas was well-represented at the summer Olympics. Some of the highlights from our local athletes include:
- Swimmer Bowe Becker clinched gold in swimming at the men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay.
- Swimmer Erica Sullivan received the first silver medal in the 1500 meter women’s freestyle.
- Four Las Vegas Aces players brought home gold medals - A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum.
Learn more about all of our Olympians.
Members of the swim team were recognized during the October 6 City Council Meeting.
August 2021 – Brewery Row
In an effort to join the craft beer movement, prominent in cities all over the country, we launched Brewery Row in downtown Las Vegas. Eight breweries and three taprooms are part of the program. Learn more.
August 2021 – Lake Mead Water Shortage
On Aug. 16, 2021 the federal government, prompted by the low water levels in Lake Mead, issued a water shortage declaration on the Colorado River. The shortage will reduce the amount of water Southern Nevada will be allowed to withdraw from Lake Mead beginning in January 2022. Learn more.
September 2021 – Allegiant Stadium Welcomes Fans
A year after being ready to welcome fans, Allegiant Stadium finally had people in seats in September 2021 for Raiders and UNLV Football games.
October 2021 – Shaq Courts at Doolittle Open
The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, in partnership with Icy Hot®, donated $200,000 to The Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE for the renovation of basketball courts at Doolittle Complex in West Las Vegas. The Shaq Courts at Doolittle opened in October and feature a state-of-the-art scoreboard, art installations and shade structures.
At the opening, Shaq spontaneously promised laptops to all the 100 youth who attended the event after 13-year-old Alex Smith made a free throw. Laptops were given out at an event in December.
December 2021 – I-15 Expansion
In December 2021, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and California Governor Gavin Newsom made a huge announcement. The five-mile stretch of I-15 from the state line to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Station will be temporarily expanded. This move is to hopefully ease some of the bottleneck that happens when lanes go from three to two as you enter California from Primm, Nevada. Learn more about the project.