Saturday, June 23, 2018 | 2 a.m.
The recent reconfiguration of Main Street will ease traffic flow in a Downtown that’s developing at an astonishing rate. But there’s one aspect of the Main Street redo that has Downtown residents even more excited: Its sidewalks, once narrow and not up to ADA code, are now more than wide enough for even the heaviest pedestrian traffic—and for sidewalk seating.
“We’re widening sidewalks wherever we can,” said City Councilman Bob Coffin (Ward 3). “This is not only for walkability but also for casual uses.” He also noted that the reconfiguration has added much-needed trees: “This is a humongous shade project.”
Some businesses on Main and adjacent to it already are taking advantage of that increased real estate. Casa Don Juan and Esther’s Kitchen offer sidewalk dining. Businesses with existing front patios, like Makers & Finders and Hop Nuts Brewing, are considering the options a wider sidewalk affords them. (Jammyland, for one, is thinking of adding even more shade—and a bike rack.) And ReBar is using the sidewalk for specially permitted First Friday events—art shows, live music, a beer garden—and negotiating with the city for a permanent sidewalk presence.
Main Street is now pedestrian-friendly, Coffin said. “It’s America’s street corner. It’s our place to talk.”
This story originally appeared in the Las Vegas Weekly.
