In address, Goodman lays out strategy to ‘survive as a city’

By Conor Shine

Published Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 | 4:30 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 | 8:45 p.m.

After a 2014 that saw the continued recovery of Las Vegas' economy following the recession, major milestones for cultural institutions like the Smith Center and the Mob Museum, plus the completion of several major infrastructure projects, it would be easy for Mayor Carolyn Goodman to hope for more of the same in 2015.

But during her fourth-annual State of the City address, Goodman challenged residents and businesses to work even harder toward the goal of making Las Vegas a "world-class city."

"If we don't create that buzz downtown we will remain at the status quo, and the status quo in my opinion is just not good enough," Goodman said. "If we are to survive as a city ... we must find new ways to augment gaming and build an ongoing and innovative Las Vegas buzz."

Goodman's nearly hourlong address took a tour through the city's six wards to celebrate successes of the past year: the reopening of the F Street corridor, the designation of Tule Springs as a national monument, the continued growth of downtown Las Vegas and much more.

But her speech focused even more on the future and the steps that would be needed to diversify Las Vegas' economy, improve health care services and make the city an even safer place for residents and tourists.

"What kind of city do we want Las Vegas to be?" she asked a packed council chambers at City Hall. "This is our home and it's our job to get the job done."

At the top of her list for continuing Las Vegas' growth is luring a professional soccer team to a proposed $200 million downtown stadium. More than $56 million in public financing was approved for the project last month, but continued opposition from several city council members has led to a petition drive to block the public subsidy through a ballot measure in June.

Goodman remained optimistic despite the potential challenge, focusing more on the competition against Sacramento and Minneapolis to land the last Major League Soccer expansion franchise and the positive impact a team would have on Las Vegas.

"We are the largest metropolitan area in the country without a major league sports franchise," she said. "Can you imagine the sense of community if we had our own major league team?"

Other priorities Goodman listed during her speech included public safety; improving health services in the city, including recruiting a medical school to the city's medical district; protecting the environment; growing the city's cultural offerings and investing in infrastructure.

The State of the City address was Goodman's last of her first term as mayor. She said she plans to file to run for in the June election later this month.

"I am going to be signing up the very first day that you can sign up for re-election: Jan. 27. I will be there," she aid.

See below for social media chatter about the speech.