Movement afoot to reinvent downtown

Clyde Dinkins, Las Vegas

Saturday, March 9, 2013 | 2:01 a.m.

The successful revitalization of our downtown continues at a progressive rate.

Michael Downs, vice president of operations at Bellagio, quit his lucrative job to become operations vice president of the Downtown Project. The Project is the main corporation, spearheaded by Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, that’s revitalizing the Fremont Street area.

There’s also Dr. Zubin Damania and his wife, Dr. Barbara, a radiologist, who gave up their medical practices in another city to relocate downtown to open a medical clinic.

And businesswoman Cathy Brooks, a consultant to startup companies, moved here recently from California. She works for the Downtown Project — in charge of its planned Dog Park.

The Damanias and Brooks have much in common — young, intelligent people (in their 30s and 40s) who see the opportunities in our downtown’s transformation. They’re committed to real change and giving back to the community. They seek a challenge and to be part of something greater than themselves. Most important — all believe in being happy in what they’re doing.

The Hsieh vision and Downtown Project transcends new businesses, downtown’s revitalization, jobs, etc. It’s the beginning of a movement, which I call “The Las Vegas Movement.” It will draw more and more of our youngest and older brilliant, passionate, creative, innovative people — startup companies, artists, writers, poets, musicians, performers, urban planners, etc.

The Las Vegas Movement has begun. Carpe diem!