This past year brought significant progress towards implementing the HUNDRED Plan in Action for the Historic Westside, and set the stage for more progress in 2023:
2022 Accomplishments:
- Jackson Avenue Complete Streets Project Groundbreaking - A $6.5 million project to widen sidewalks and increase pedestrian safety, and add street lights, trees and landscaping.
- Historic Westside Urban Farm Delivered to James Gay Park - The urban agriculture farming containers will provide fresh food to local residents.
- D Street Properties Mixed-Use Development Project Approved - A $40 million, 84-unit mixed-income housing development featuring a ground-floor business incubator.
- African American Museum and Cultural Arts Center Master Plan Contract Approved - The master plan will fully develop the approach for the museum and cultural arts center.
- Agreement With Vertical Harvest to Explore Vertical Urban Agriculture in James Gay Park - Vertical Harvest is a large-scale urban agriculture developer exploring vertical farming potentially supported by other uses including housing.
- Engagement with Jackson Avenue Property Owners - Individual work with property owners is helping them to imagine the possibilities for their properties to be developed as part of the overall effort to bring Jackson Avenue back to life as the Historic Westside's Main Street.
- EDA Grant awarded to support Chef Jeff Culinary Training Program for Youth - The program will support youth and young adults by providing workforce development opportunities centered around culinary skills.
- Marble Manor Redesign Underway, led by the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority and Supported by a Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Grant - The project will see the eventual replacement of existing affordable housing units and increased density along with parks and public amenities.
- Completion of Design for the West Las Vegas Workforce Training Center - The $15 million center is partially funded by a U.S. EDA grant and will provide education and job training in advanced manufacturing, health care, technology and construction trades, supported by wrap-around services..
- West Las Vegas Wellness Center Design Completed - The center will be located on Jackson Avenue and D Street and serve as both a holistic health center and primary care facility, as well as offering specialty services and dental.
- Funding Committed for the Expansion of Mario's Westside Market From the City of Las Vegas and ARPA funds - This grocery store in the Historic Westside will expand, after receiving $1 million in funding. Mario’s has been a staple to the community for more than 20 years.
- Land Purchased for the New West Las Vegas Library, and City Purchase of Old West Las Vegas Library - The new campus will cover 5.25 acres and more than double the square footage of the library; the existing library will remain open during construction.
- Historic Westside Mural Project launched, led by artist Chase McCurdy and funded by the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE - This $250,000 mural project includes the installation of four large-scale murals throughout the Historic Westside.
- New workforce training and development facilities completed at the Historic Westside School, including the Workforce Development Hub, the College of Southern Nevada Wet Lab and the Dialysis Training Center - The projects collectively are helping to transform the Historic Westside School into a comprehensive workforce development facility.
- Arts Commission Funding Awarded to Honor James Gay III as Part of the Reimagining of James Gay Park - The artwork concepts are yet to be developed but will honor the namesake of the park.
- Holiday Lighting and Banners Added to Martin L. King Jr. Boulevard - Councilman Crear and sponsor Cox Communications introduced festive holiday lighting and banners to the Historic Westside, bringing light and color to the neighborhood for the holidays.
Coming up in 2023:
- Historic Westside Design Center Grand Opening - Situated in the Historic Westside School, this will be a community space to share information about the Historic Westside's history and its future.
- Historic Westside Urban Farm Ribbon Cutting - Operations and growing will be fully functional with the first crop likely to be harvested in spring 2023.
- African American Museum & Cultural Arts Center Master Plan Completed - The master plan is expected to be complete by the end of 2023, at which time work will begin to realize the vision for the museum.
- Mario’s Market Renovations Completed - Doors are expected to open to the expanded and renovated market in summer 2023.
- Historic Westside Co-Op Market Architecture Completed - The co-op will be situated in James Gay III Park, adjacent to the urban agriculture facilities.
- Jackson Avenue Complete Streets Improvements Ribbon Cutting – The renovation of the historic street will be completed in summer 2023.
- Lake Mead and Owens Avenue/Harrison Avenue Complete Streets Design Complete - The design will pave the way for significant investments in the streets aligned with the look of Jackson Avenue.
- Completion of Inventory of Historic Westside Building Stock and Nomination of Building(s) to National Register of Historic Places - This work, funded by a National Park Service grant, allows us to better understand the history of the buildings in the Historic Westside, and make every effort to preserve those with historic relevance.
- Single/Multi-Family housing projects on City-Owned Land Begins - The city has begun the process to select development partners to build housing on several parcels of land throughout the neighborhood. It is anticipated that 70+ single and multi-family housing units will result.
- Small Business Support Program Launched - The program will help small businesses navigate the process of setting up shop in the Historic Westside.
- Exploration of Renaming of Street in the Historic Westside with the Community - This effort, identified in the HUNDRED Plan, will include significant community engagement.
- Chef Jeff Culinary Training Academy Opens - The academy will have both a fixed location at the Historic Westside School, as well as mobile facilities.
- Grant Submitted to U.S. Economic Development Administration to Support Jackson Avenue Redevelopment - The city of Las Vegas will be submitting a grant for funding to support Jackson Avenue property owners in the redevelopment of the street.
- Completion of ACCED (wireless) Network for all of the Historic Westside - The network provides free wireless access for education and workforce training.
- Application to NVEnergy to bring Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Community Solar to the Historic Westside - Sustainability investments will be a focus as the community begins to see other reinvestment.