Las Vegas has been growing at an astonishing rate. The Las Vegas area’s population grew from 852,646 people in 1990 to approximately 1.8 million people in 2004. This boom has caused real estate prices to skyrocket, a negotiation with Arizona for our future water supply, and the advent of skyscrapers. Just sit back and watch Las Vegas develop into an urban metropolis.
All of our city officials will agree where Las Vegas is going. “Las Vegas is going up!” Our valley has begun to both Manhattanize and urbanize. According to Webster, the 2002 edition, Manhattanize means to alter the architectural appearance of a city by construction of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. To urbanize an area means to add streets, buildings and businesses for everyday living. For example, look downtown…
Streamline Tower
Las Vegas already has tall buildings but, for the most part, they are either casinos or hotels. These palatial structures do generate great commerce for our city but do very little to add to our culture. Monday morning, November 29, I attended the ground- breaking ceremony for Streamline Tower on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard at Ogden Street. This high-rise condominium project will be the newest addition to our downtown’s skyline. Mayor Oscar Goodman has dubbed it, “The Jewel of Downtown.” That day, Goodman said, “We are at the beginning of the forefront of this rebirth of Downtown Las Vegas…The Downtown Renaissance…be part of it.”
Pierce Goodwin Alexander and Linville, Inc (PGAL) designed this feature that is being added to our city’s center. This towering, twenty-two story building (El Cortez is 15 stories) will have 251 units with thirteen floor plans to choose from. They range in size from one bedroom, one bathroom up to three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms.
At the ceremony they said, ”First come, first serve.” The price list supposedly will be released at the end of December 2004. They require a twenty thousand dollar earnest money deposit with a ten percent down when the price list is released. Streamline Tower’s sales team said, “Prices will be determined when you go under contract…the prices will be determined by what market conditions are like at that time.”
Dr. Denise Waltley, a renowned inter-national businessman and author, was a speaker at the ceremony. He feels Las Vegas is like San Diego. He said, “Las Vegas, like San Diego has a balanced mixture of arts, entertainment, commercial, education, and medical.
In fact, our city’s plan is to expand our economy by bringing new forms of commerce. Waltley went on to say, “The reason why San Diego has done so well is because, like Las Vegas, they have had their plan laid out from the beginning…and in order for Las Vegas to evolve, a constant redevelopment of our urban center (downtown) must take place.” He also stated, “What you are seeing know in Las Vegas is an urban renewal.”
Soon, you will see more and more skyscrapers appearing. With them, you will watch out economy evolve and develop.
Other Planned Skyscrapers
When you look at the older, great metropolitan areas of the world you will notice one distinct characteristic. They all have colossal structures. As these next few years quickly go by, a diversification of our economy will take place. This will continue to bring people by the droves to our city and as a result you will see “skyscrapers” popping up in our valley.
Some high-rise residential structures you may soon expect will be the massive, 251 unit Streamline Tower, another Turnberry Place Tower, the distinctive Panorama Tower, an art deco Metropolis, Vegas Grand with its Mediterranean style décor, and the two, twenty-story, Park Towers next to the Hughes Center. These are just a few of the projects planned for Las Vegas.
Prehistoric Southern Nevada was a virtual marsh of abundant water and vegetation. Arrival of the railroad on May 15, 1905 led to the dawning of Las Vegas. After World War II our city saw a huge construction boom. During the past decade and a half our city’s construction and population has easily doubled. As the trend continues, you will be witness to the eruption of skyscrapers and high-rise condominiums. Call me, 808-3531, if you are interested in learning more about high-rise living.
When are new schools built?
Did you know the Clark County School District covers 7,910 square miles? Rick Baldwin, a Demographic Specialist for the Clark County School District reported that, “It is the fifth largest school district in the United States…and has 280,834 students.” Do to such a huge student population the Board of School Trustees was forced to come up with a new plan.
On June 14, 1994, the seven-elected Board of School Trustees established the Attendance Zone Advisory Commission (AZAC). This newly formed commission’s job is to advise the Board of School Trustees on issues concerning schools and zoning. According to Baldwin, “Your district (Silvestri Middle School area) can expect the Del Webb Middle School (near Anthem) to open in August, 2005.” This new middle school is not closer than Silvestri Middle School but it will affect our area. The Del Webb Middle School is just one of eleven new schools being built next year.
Next Month’s Issue…”New Urbanism”
Next month I will discuss the “New Urbanism” planned for our area…you know, the patch of raw desert between Henderson Executive Airport and Interstate 15. Wait till you hear what is planned for this expanse.
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