Independent Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman speaks during the State of the City Address at Las Vegas City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 | 9:09 p.m.
A new marketing campaign aimed at drawing more attention to Las Vegas’ downtown area and small businesses was announced, and an update was provided on the California-involved I-15 widening project as Mayor Carolyn Goodman delivered her annual State of the City address Thursday night.
Hailed as “Down for Anything,” the city’s new initiative is intended to “illuminate the area’s diversity, inclusiveness, and ethos of opportunity,” according to a press release.
“As you know, during the pandemic and the most devastating shutdown, it was the small business that kept us alive (and) struggled they did,” Goodman said. “So, this marketing campaign embraces the spirit of our city to increase support of the 20 million visitors they count on to thrive.”
Using American Rescue Plan Act funding, the campaign will create media featuring more than 40 local influencers, business leaders, community members, and monuments in downtown Las Vegas, Goodman said.
Locals and Las Vegas enthusiasts will recognize popular spots in the city’s tourist hub, like Downtown Container Park, the Strat Hotel, Life is Beautiful, El Cortez Hotel and the two new showgirl statues on Main Street and Las Vegas Boulevard.
Goodman switched gears to address the popular electronics convention CES, which she said “affirmed” the “inviting” atmosphere of downtown. Tourists in town for the three-day convention toured the area and “engaged in meaningful future involvement” with small businesses, according to Goodman.
These visitors came at a time when areas like Fremont Street and the Arts District are rapidly investing in new projects. Goodman was especially happy to tout the budding Brewery Row on Main Street in the “fastest growing and incredibly popular business and tourist destination day and night,” the Arts District.
While hotels plan on expanding their reach to fit more tourists, Goodman said multiple apartment complexes in the areas of Symphony Park and the Arts District will create over 1,000 more living units for locals.
“These are all expanding projects in the city well-known for its quick and efficient building and permitting services,” Goodman said. “It is indeed an exciting time for us all.”
Calling on California
Goodman also had some critical words regarding continued delays on the I-15 Widening Project.
The $12 million California-funded project was first announced by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former-Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak in December 2021.
Work had been expected to be completed in summer 2022 but faced delays that pushed the first phase of completion back to fall 2022, according to Caltrans Media Relations Manager William Arnold.
Goodman has been a staunch critic of this lengthy project, and said she will “continue to scream and yell at California and Caltrans” for not completing this project. She drew examples from the 18-mile-long traffic jam on Interstate 15 that occurred between Primm, Nev., and Barstow, Calif., the day after Christmas.
Much of her displeasure in the past few months has been documented on Twitter, but Goodman revealed that she has even spoken to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Mitch Landrieu, senior advisor and infrastructure coordinator, about the issue.
“It’s become intolerable, and we have to call on all our friends and visitors that come from California to put the pressure on their legislators and Caltrans,” Goodman said. “From Barstow to the (Nevada) state line, two lanes in each direction in this time of living is an embarrassment.”
Goodman is currently nearing the end of her final term as mayor after spending nearly 12 years leading Las Vegas. Because the position is term-limited, her seat will be open for election in Nov. 2024, with Councilman Cedric Crear and former Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkely having announced their bids to run for the office.
Until then, Goodman said she is looking forward to 2023 and will “continue to concentrate not only on the city, but in the greater Las Vegas area.”
