URBAN UPDATE

Adjoining the Fremont Street Experience, the six-block Fremont East Entertainment District has revitalized the neighborhood and enabled tourists and locals to enjoy an area free of gaming. With the flair of Old Las Vegas style, visitors are welcomed by retro neon archways. Four 40-foot neon signs down the median recall the Rat Pack nostalgia of days gone by, while a Bourbon Street atmosphere leads guests into unique restaurants, nightclubs, cocktail lounges, comedy clubs and retail stores along the way. Wide sidewalks with historic sidewalk medallions amidst the attractive landscaping offer plenty of room for pedestrians to stroll or sit and dine outdoors. And valet parking is offered so no one has to spend a lot of time driving around searching for a place to park. It’s a place where public and private partnership combines for the benefit of all.

Bob Miller, CCIM, RPA, of CB Richard Ellis global Real Estate services, is enthusiastic about the improvements that are being made at Fremont East. "Las Vegas already has convention space unmatched by other cities," he says. "And Fremont East gives those visitors even more options for entertainment. The city will be better off in the long run, even in these economic times."

In visionary style, the city has contributed $5.5 million to this downtown revitalization project, creating still more reasons for Las Vegas to be a strong vacation contender for travelers from around the world. Considering the high cost of gas, the wide variety of activities available offers the best vacation bang for the buck.

The city is also providing the Entertainment District Visual Improvement Plan (EVIP) to help forward-thinking property owners add new style and appeal to their business exteriors. Qualified exterior improvements include signage, doors, windows, paint and other embellishments. EVIP is offering up to $75,000 per storefront for in-line businesses, and up to $95,000 for corner establishments. Zoning and licensing regulations have been eased, and the distance requirements for taverns have been waived to encourage and assist new establishments in the area.

Bob thinks the city has made great efforts to entice and involve business owners in the Fremont East area. "All the laws are in place, and the mayor and city council have the ambition and desire," he observes. "All it takes now is the landowners and business owners doing their part."

Each business in Fremont East and the surrounding area has a unique atmosphere all its own, providing appeal for every visitor. Don't Tell Mama is a sing-along piano bar, unlike any other in the Las Vegas area. The Beauty Bar features a late ‘50s interior and a manicurist on duty on Friday nights. The upscale Downtown Cocktail Room offers live DJs with remixes from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. At Hennessey's Tavern diners can enjoy an authentic Irish pub atmosphere, and at Gold Diggers they can drink and dance while taking in the balcony views of Fremont Street. The Bunkhouse creates a cowboy feel and features a variety of music styles, and Dino’s provides the feel of a true Las Vegas neighborhood bar. Visitors can enjoy browsing these and other establishments and soaking up the eclectic atmosphere of the entire neighborhood.

The Fremont East area is also the home of the old Sears building, most recently used as the metropolitan police station, with a ground floor that contains over 14,000 square feet of retail potential, with 125 feet of frontage on legendary Fremont Street. The second and third floors also offer office space, and a .80-acre gated parking lot adjoins the building. It is one of the most recent of the classic properties up for bids. And for entrepreneurs with great ideas for unique businesses, there are still several other advantageous locations available throughout the district. The city is also offering high-rise condo and hotel land entitlements, minus the gaming of course, which offer additional options for developers looking for residential opportunities.

With over 18.7 million visitors per year to the downtown area, it’s a solid place to invest. The economic health of the savvy business owners already established in the area is proof of that.

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