Having been here all my life, I wish that the buildings could all stay as they were but it seems that is not what the up and coming generation wants. My home is weeping brick and will not be torn down or changed as long as I am alive. What I would like is some help to possibly get it declared a historical residence
both for it's age and the significance of the previous owner. Then maybe I could get some help restoring the outside!

Downtown shouldn't be transformed into a 'South Beach' nor should it be the next 'Strip'. One thing I notice different about TODAY vs YESTERYEAR is that people seem interested to butcher one concept to death over and over. Why does everything today have to be the same and look the same? Do we live in 'Bazarro World'? That's the frustrating thing about this whole Downtown revitalization. You get these developers whom are outsiders coming into Vegas that want to re-create something that has already been done. The fellow whom bought the Golden Spike is another example of this... yeah he wants to build a 'boutique hotel' (what an ingenious concept).

As for Tamares tearing down the Ambassador, well I think that's a waste. If they want to revitalize something they should start with the properties they already own. They seem to neglect what they already own. The Plaza isn't in the best shape, and the Las Vegas Club looks like a 70s/80s architectural nightmare. The Plaza, in my opinon is a nice building, and i think they should up keep it a little better. The Las Vegas Club use to be a beautiful place to look at in the 50s-60s as it had ALOT of beautiful neon on it's facade. Tamareas has plenty to work on that they already own before they go tearing down the things we love that are still left. If they wanted to start a new project they could have started with a complete overhaul of the Western Hotel.

Part of the success of revitalization and preservation of such Downtown areas like 7-9th and Fremont is taking the neighborhood back from those who infest it with crime of all sorts. On my last trip to Vegas I was eager to explore Fremont Street past the El Cortez. Not knowing how safe or unsafe certain blocks were I first got different opinons from locals whom ALL did NOT recomend I walk down that way. So that's a major problem, If the motels down that way weren't associated with the bad news then they would be successful again like they once were. As an tourist I would love to have the option to stay at a nice clean rennovated vintage Downtown motel during the ties when the casinos are charging over $100 on Fremont Street because there is a convention in town. I would stay there as opposed to a Miami style 'botique' hotel that charges $120/nt right off the bat. I can't believe some of these motels can't be converted into apartments either. I am 30 years old and I have no interests in the Strips expensive ultra lounges and hotel rooms. I can get all that stuff back home. The reason I return to Vegas is because I love going to the vintage historic places that are left. I never get tired of them because they are UNIQUE to Vegas and all have decades worth of history that go along with it. That's worth more to me than a $200/nt hotel room.

The Welcome to Las Vegas sign should be a reminder to EVERYONE who comes to Vegas that is a UNIQUE place like no other and that it isn't another imitation of South Beach. If every other historic treasure in Vegas was treated like that sign it's popularity would still last forever. That sign is a big money maker. So if something so simple as that sign can make money for the city so can all the other vintage places and landmarks that still stand.Another example is Vegas Vic. Everyone knows it and it's a characteristic that is forever embedded with Las Vegas. The answer to beautification and revitalization to DT is quite simple: take back the neighborhood and restore it back to the way it was.


I wish I could be at all the meetings and special events, but since I can't being I live so far away I hope my feedback posted on this blog from time to time will help.

I like the way downtown looks, it has casual feel so far more than the strip. I'd hate to see them change it, although I know that Downtown isn't the preferred destination and that has to affect the bottom line. Still, I don't think anything they do is going to change that. The strip just has a different feel and it always will. I recently stayed Downtown and given the opportunity I'd do that again in a heartbeat!