ZZZ - GMG - VEGAS INC 2011-2014

VEGAS INC C OV E R STO RY STEVE MARCUS (2012) IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A neon sign glows at the Neonopolis shopping complex. MONA SHIELD PAYNE / SPECIAL TO VEGAS INC GAME ON: Guests gamble at the craps table during the October opening of the Downtown Grand, one of the projects helping to reinvigorate the East Fremont Street area. DOWNTOWN'S ARTS DISTRICT COULD BE THE NEXT FRONTIER FOR DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN, From page 1 "I love what the Downtown Project is doing, but there's going to come a point that what they're doing with the available land is not conducive to creating a true, urban environment," Palmeri said. "You need to build up and go vertical, because there are only so many parcels." If Fremont Street redevelopment slows a bit, however, that could bode well for less-publicized efforts in the Arts District, roughly a mile to the southwest. If Fremont Street gets locked up, developers hellbent on pursuing projects downtown are expected to head west. Several projects already have been proposed for the Arts District, including a movie theater and a mid-rise residential-office building complex. Terry Murphy, owner of Strategic Solutions consulting, seconds Palmeri's feeling that the Arts District could be the next frontier. "I think that's where you will see more commercial activity and retail," she said. She also believes Commerce Street will get more attention. "You're going to see the seed of a very interesting little district — more entertainment-related — because of the buildings, which are warehouses and that kind of thing," Murphy said. "There might even be residential over there, if it's far enough away from the railroad." | 6 JANUARY 2014 20140106_VI01_F.indd 13 | Murphy also expects 2014 to be the year the city delves more seriously into a downtown master plan that considers connectivity, public spaces and zoning. Brand Wiegand, a broker at Focus Commercial Properties, said residential development downtown would be great, but maybe not yet. Developers still have to figure out "how to get something out of the ground that makes sense," Wiegand said. "Rents have to be higher to make that work." Will people pay $2 a square foot to rent an apartment downtown when they can get similar space in the suburbs for $1? While downtown is the seconddensest employment area in the valley — the Strip is the first — Wiegand isn't sure that a 20-minute drive from Summerlin or Henderson is so daunting that people will pay more to live there. That's why the Downtown Project's efforts to bring in bars, restaurants and retail plazas like Container Park are so important, he said. Creating an environment that's lacking in the suburbs could help tenants overcome wariness about higher rents. What else is on the horizon for 2014? • A downtown developer expects to build about 1,000 new residential units over the next 24 months. Offerings will include high rises, mid-rises and microapartments. They will be aimed at locals, not tourists, unlike the high rises of the early 2000s. • The Downtown Project's march eastward on Fremont Street is expected to include repurposing the Ferguson Motel, 1028 Fremont St.; the John E. Carson hotel, 124 S. 6th St.; and the Eden Inn, 120 S. 6th St. The motels will be transformed into bars, galleries, restaurants, offices and retail space. • A flurry of entertainment venues are anticipated for the area near 10th and 11th streets. • Expect the return of the Bunkhouse before the middle of the year. This barclub was bought by the Downtown Project, which expected to reopen it within weeks. But it had so many structural issues, developers had to gut and rebuild it. It is slated to open in the second quarter of the year. • A long-awaited grocery store is planned for an empty storefront on Fremont Street between 6th and 7th streets near the El Cortez. • There's talk of a trolley that would travel from Las Vegas Boulevard to Maryland Parkway. • PublicUs, a "fresh American" restaurant at the corner of Maryland Parkway and Fremont Street, is expected to open in the coming months. • Banger Brewing is scheduled to open in Neonopolis, and another brewery is planned for further east on Fremont Street. New eateries, classrooms to debut at Neonopolis By Joe Schoenmann There are lots of changes afoot for downtown's Neonopolis. Luna Rossa, on the first floor and southwest corner of the complex, closed. Operator Valentina Molli, reached at the restaurant's Tustin, Calif., location, said competition didn't lead to the restaurant's closure. Rather, a new operator bought out the restaurant's lease. Downtown has six restaurants whose menus include pizza. Rohit Joshi, who bought Neonopolis in 2006, also is opening a three-venue food court with restaurants that will serve Italian, Mexican and Asian fare. In addition, he is trying to bring a broadcasting station to the building, although nothing has been finalized. Banger Brewing also appears close to opening on the first floor. Finally, UNLV's Continuing Education Division has listed several courses that will be held in space on the second of Neonpolis' three floors. The first of the courses are set to begin this month. The courses include: Modeling: How to Become a Fashion, Print or Promotional Model; Business Writing; Modeling: Modeling as a Career Choice; Essentials of Human Resource Management; Grammar for Professionals; Neon Night Photography: Capturing the Glow; Working With The Media; Media Relations; Human Resources for Small Business; and Spanish: Beginning Level. 13 1/2/14 1:22:32 PM

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