2016-01-17 - The Sunday - Las Vegas

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12 16 19 31WHERE ARE WE

GOING WITH THIS?Plans are in the works

for a light rail system in Southern Nevada, but

where will it go? We map out the Regional Trans-portation Center’s plan

and outline potential additions to extend the

system’s footprint.

HOW CAN WE PAY FOR IT?

Studies show that investing in a light rail sys-tem can spur economic ac-

tivity that more than makes up for the cost of construc-

tion and maintenance. Still, building one isn’t

cheap. We outline potential ways to raise the money.

A LOOK AT OUR COMPETITORSPhoenix, Denver, San

Diego and Orlando, Fla., have provided blue prints

Las Vegas can follow when it comes to building public

mass transit systems. We examine their costs and the impact the systems

have had on their cities.

HOW IT TOUCHES THE COMMUNITY

Light rail would affect the city’s vibe, quality of

life and environment.

MORE■ A local’s take, P34

■ Tourism and business, P35

■ Impact on North Las Vegas, P40

■ Downtown and sports, P41

ON THE COVERIllustration by

Hernan Valencia

THE SUNDAY4

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23 SPECIAL ISSUE CONTENTS

L I G H T R A I L G E T T I N G O U R F U T U R E O N T H E R I G H T T R A C K

R eaders of The Sunday will notice that this issue is chock full of trains, so to speak. Actually, we have given this issue over to a most important discussion about how well and how fast our city will grow, and how

our citizens and visitors will live over the next 20 to 30 years. And how much we are willing to

invest in that future.Throughout our his-

tory, Las Vegas has always been ready, willing and able to step up and own the kind of future we envision. Our dreamers and our builders have al-ways been able to capture the imaginations of our people to build the kind of

city that, despite the setbacks of the 2008 crash, has made us a city to be envied and emulated.

We now have an opportunity to write the next chapter in the brilliant history of Southern Nevada.

This time it centers on the way we will move not only our tourist economy but also our local economy to the next level. To be more precise, it’s about how we will move our tourists and locals from one place to another in the coming decades.

The Sunday, fulfi lling our own responsibility

to enlighten, encourage and inform our readers about matters of public interest, has devoted its pages this week to a wide-ranging discussion about trains. Light rail to be exact.

This isn’t the fi rst time our community has discussed light rail as a mode of transporting 2 million residents and more than 41 million tourists safely and conveniently through our valley, but it is the fi rst time community groups throughout Clark County have come together to have a serious discussion.

We have framed the issues in our pages and hope to lead the discussion in which all of the stakeholders in this valley agree on a plan to pre-vent gridlock that not only will choke the life out of locals who cannot traverse our roads to and from work but also the lifeblood of our economy. Tourism is and will be for a long time our No. 1 industry, not only in Clark County but through-out the state.

Solving the transportation challenge not only is a quality-of-life issue but goes to the very essence of our ability to compete. The world is getting smaller, but convention facilities, tourist attractions and hotels around the globe are get-ting larger, so our ability to provide world-class tourist transportation could be a differentiator.

Already, cities such as Phoenix, Denver, San Diego and Orlando, Fla., have gotten a head start

on us with regard to light rail and its ability to move people in a smooth and cost-effi cient man-ner. We are behind, to be sure, but we can catch up and surpass them all.

All we have to do is start. And this is the begin-ning of that discussion.

How much it will cost, how long it will take, the roadblocks in our way and the hurdles we must overcome are all part of that conversation. And that discussion cannot be had without you, our readers.

For you will be the benefi ciaries of a 21st cen-tury multimodal system of moving people from the airport to the Strip to downtown to North Las Vegas. Rail that will give tourists easy access to all that we have built for them and rail for locals to have easy access to work, play and home.

The same attitude and commitment that has allowed decades of dreamers and builders to create today’s Las Vegas can propel us to the decisions necessary to make sure we continue to lead all comers when it comes to moving people around a city.

Imagine a Las Vegas in 2026 that is the envy of the world. That’s easy. Now imagine a Las Vegas in 2026 with a world-class transportation sys-tem. That is a combination that can’t and won’t be beat.

It all starts today in the pages of The Sunday.

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THE SUNDAY8

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23LIGHT RAIL LAS VEGAS Send your news information to [email protected] ISSUE

RAPID TRANSITA form of high-speed urban passenger transportation,

such as a subway or elevated railroad system. Rapid

transit systems generally serve a larger area than light

rail with faster trains that travel, below or above ground,

at 30 to 50 miles per hour. Stops tend to be more spaced

out than light rail stops. The New York City Subway,

the London Underground, Chicago’s L and Bay Area

Regional Transit all are rapid transit systems.

GRADERail systems can run above,

below or level with roads.

Subways run underground,

and elevated trains run

above ground. Systems that

run at grade travel are on

the same plane as pedestri-

ans and automobiles.

STATIONWhere a train stops.

In light rail systems,

stations typically are

built on the sides of

roads and often include

sun shades molded in

artistic designs.

LINEThe fi xed route that

a transportation

system travels on,

typically designated

by numbers, letters

or colors.

TERMS TO UNDERSTAND BEFORE YOU BEGIN READING

W H Y L I G H T R A I L ?The RTC considered a number of options for a rapid transit system on the Strip, including buses, streetcars and even another

monorail. Ultimately, offi cials decided on light rail because it can move a large number of people in a relatively short time.

Buses and streetcars would make the Strip’s bad gridlock even worse, while an elevated monorail would be costly to build

and would ruin the view. A light rail system also can be expanded more easily .

the sunday9

jan. 17 - jan. 23

Right of wayA legal easement

granted for a patch of

land set aside for transit.

Generally, building new

transportation systems

requires buying rights-

of-way along the routes.

MultiModal tRanspoRtCombines two or more modes of

movement, such as walking, biking,

driving, taking a bus or riding light

rail. Also called combined transport.

There are a lot of ways to get where

you need to go. Multimodal transit

planning recognizes that and provides

for a flexible range of options.

paRk-and-RideA fancy name for a parking lot. Park-

and-rides are aimed at reducing urban

traffic congestions by enabling drivers

to leave their cars in parking lots on

the outskirts of a city and travel to the

city center on public transportation.

At some stations, parking carries a

small fee. At others, it’s free.

In 2014, Americans took

10.8 billion trips on public transportation, the

highest number in 58 years. People boarded public transportation 36

million times each weekday.

Every $1 invested in public

transportation generates about $4 in economic

returns.

Every $1 billion in-

vested in public transportation

supports and cre-ates more than 50,000 jobs.

Every $10 million of capital

investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business

sales.

Home values were

42 percent higher on average for homes near public transpor-tation with high-fre-

quency service.

Source: American Public Transportation Association

Public transportation is a $61 billion industry that

employs more than 400,000

people.

the sunday10

jan. 17 - jan. 23light rail las vegas Send your news information to [email protected] issue

When that happens, look out. Visitors will be able to jump on the system for a quick, cheap and convenient ride to hotels, attractions and conven-tion halls, while their counterparts in Las Vegas endure long lines for taxis or Uber and Lyft vehi-cles, then face expensive, slow rides on congested streets and highways, where, of course, they have to suffer more expensive, slow rides if they want to go anywhere beyond walking distance.

Which sounds better? It’s no contest. Don’t think Orlando isn’t trying to capitalize on

its advantage either. During a recent visit there, a Las Vegan found a list of our conventions written on a white board at the convention and visitors bu-reau. True story. Scary story.

And Orlando isn’t the only city actively trying to pick off our conventions.

Meanwhile, the Strip has reached a tipping point on traffic congestion, and that’s without attractions that either are on the drawing board or are almost live. T-Mobile Arena between New York-New York and Monte Carlo is an example; as many as 20,000

people will be trying to get in and out of events there once it opens. Because Las Vegas always has been a place that looks for the next big thing, others are talking about equally ambitious plans for facili-ties that will, inevitably, place further strain on our transportation system.

Another source of pressure: With traffic at Mc-Carran International Airport reaching its pre-re-cession levels, the city moves an average of 1.8 mil-lion people per month — and counting — between the Strip and the airport.

Given that tourism and convention tax revenue and fees are the leading economic drivers for the state, it’s critical that the Las Vegas transportation system supports them. But there is more reason to consider upgrades: The tech industry sector that now is taking a close look at Las Vegas, and Nevada expects — and a new workforce demands — effec-tive and convenient mass transportation options.

Put simply: Our infrastructure isn’t prepared to support the next generation of development in Las Vegas.

LIGHT RAILWE DISSECT THE

IDEA THAT IS

CRITICAL TO THE

VALLEY’S FUTURE

By Ric AndeRson | Staff writer

There’s a problem with our transportation system, Las Vegas, and it goes way beyond tedious commutes and long lines of orange pylons. ¶ The sys-tem has become an Achilles heel in a high-stakes competition with other

major cities to attract new businesses, residents, tourists and conventions. Our road system is outdated, built for an era of rotary phones, coin slot machines and cars with cassette players, and other communities are taking advantage of it in an attempt to leapfrog us. ¶ Don’t believe it? Let’s take a trip to Orlando, Fla. ¶ There, a light rail train whisks passengers along a 31-mile route that connects downtown Orlando with suburbs and surrounding communities for as little as $3.75 per round trip. Transpor-tation authorities recently approved a new phase of construction that will connect the system, called SunRail, with Orlando International Airport.

the sunday11

jan. 17 - jan. 23light rail las vegas

Send your news information to [email protected] special issue

All together, the Strip SeeS At leASt 6.8

million tripS per week.

When put in those terms,

the sheer scale of the

challenge to create a

light rail system and

the opportunity it could

present become readily

apparent.

But here’s the good news. We can compete in this fight. The answer is to build our own light rail — either the sys-tem proposed by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada or one that extends the RTC’s lines to North Las Vegas.

Make no mistake, the system would be costly. The RTC’s plan, which connects McCarran International Airport to downtown’s Bonneville Transit Center and then to Cash-man Center, would cost a minimum of $600 million and as much as $5.7 billion (if portions are built underground) in today’s dollars.

The RTC has proposed paying for a significant portion of the system through federal funding and has floated the con-cept of a public-private partnership. A rider fee also is part of the RTC’s vision. In addition, there are other potential options for revenue streams that would lessen the burden on Las Vegas residents, such as an increase in hotel room tax, higher surcharges on flights from McCarran and per-haps reclaiming and selling BLM land on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Steps like these might make it possible to both build the system and let tourists and locals ride it for free.

The 42.3 million visitors coming to Las Vegas annually — a figure that is expected to keep rising — could foot the bill for a portion of the system. Even with a modest increase in fees to support a rail system, tourists come out ahead be-cause they wouldn’t have to pay as much for taxi rides or rental cars.

Now, think about what the system would mean for Las Vegas residents. It would allow tens of thousands of people get to work more easily and cheaply, not only the ones rid-ing the light rail, but car commuters who’d benefit from a reduction of congestion on the roads. It would ease the pressure on our environment. It would create jobs and spur massive development of housing, retail and industry — with an economic impact of $56 billion to $178 billion, as esti-mated by the RTC.

If you doubt the potential of light rail as an economic driver, just look at Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Denver — other Western communities that have invested in rail systems. Development driven by light rail in Phoenix ex-ceeded $8.2 billion this year, including 15,000 residential units within a half mile of the 20-mile route. The 7-year-old system is being used for 44,000 rides per average weekday, more than the Phoenix transit authority estimated for rid-ership in 2020.

For Las Vegas, light rail would create new development opportunities and strengthen the heart of our economy by improving the Strip. Tourists like trains — just ask the op-erators of San Francisco’s cable cars or New Orleans’ street-cars — and light rail would make getting up and down Las Vegas Boulevard a convenient attraction for visitors, not a bumper-to-bumper buzzkill.

Improving the visitor experience is critical to our future. Remember, the days are long gone when Las Vegas tour-ists checked into a resort, headed straight to the casino and holed up for as long as their bankroll held out. Today, the av-erage tourist visits several casinos per visit, and a change in the Strip’s business model is prompting even more of them to get out and wander among a growing number of restau-rants, shops and attractions.

Allowing visitors to get around more easily is key to keep-ing them happy. And just imagine how happy they’d be if they could cruise the boulevard in a train that allowed them

to see the sights and quickly reach their destination. Lights, action, fabulousness.

Even beyond the Strip, light rail is a link to our economic future. It would help attract and retain the millennial work-ers we need for our budding technology industry and other businesses that can diversify our economy. If you don’t think light rail is a major bargaining chip when trying to recruit younger workers, just look at any number of stud-ies showing that millennials are waiting later to get driver’s licenses than other generations, are less likely to use cars as a main source of transportation and are more likely to walk, bike or use public transit.

Another sector that could take off: manufacturing. For the first time, North Las Vegas could gain a direct connec-tion to the Strip, which would help in the development of the massive Apex Industrial Park. With Faraday Future pre-paring to build a $1 billion car manufacturing plant there, a rail link would become an attractive incentive to help sell other companies on locating in Apex.

Then there’s the north Strip. Today — and this isn’t a big secret — it’s struggling. SLS Las Vegas has been bleeding revenue since it opened. The closure of the Riviera opened an even bigger hole between the Wynn and Encore, and the SLS and Stratosphere. And while the Lucky Dragon project west of Las Vegas Boulevard on Sahara Avenue may inject some energy into the area, there’s nothing else being de-veloped between Resorts World Las Vegas and downtown. Plus, the Genting Group has yet to begin construction in earnest, raising concerns the project may not be moving forward.

In that environment, a light rail could be a lifesaver. For most Strip tourists, the Riviera/Fountainebleu area marks a no-man’s-land where they quit walking on the boule-vard, feeling ill at ease among the rusting hulk of empty and abandoned resorts. Add a train, and getting to the SLS, Stratosphere and beyond is safe and fun.

For downtown, the rail would bring tourists and locals not only to East Fremont and the Fremont Street Experi-ence but to the Arts District and the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Light rail lines would become arteries to invigorate arts and culture.

There also are winners who would never even set foot on the train. They’d benefit because the system would provide the tool to compete with cities such as Orlando for tour-ists, conventions and economic development, therefore strengthening the economy valleywide.

The harsh reality, Las Vegas, is that we risk getting stuck in gear economically if we don’t do something about our transportation system. Right now, nothing is happening to create more area for development on the Strip. We still rely mostly on tourism and mining as the underpinnings of our economy, leaving us vulnerable to the same busts we just went through during the recession.

And while tourists still are coming, other cities are fight-ing to siphon them away. Granted, Orlando is no Las Vegas when it comes to 24/7 fun, but it is positioning itself as a modern, progressive, convenient option other than Las Ve-gas.

Las Vegas has explored light rail before, only to set it aside while others pushed forward. Now we’re behind, and we have a major choice on our hands. Move in a new direc-tion, or stay on the same path. Just watch out for the orange pylons.

42.3 millionNumber of annual

tourists to Las Vegas, and each tourist visits an

average of 6.4 casinos.

That’s more than

5.2 million tripS

along the crowded resort corridor each week.

( )That doesn’t include the

658,000 trips tourists make to

McCarran Interna-tional Airport

each week.

Or the 100,000 Strip workers who,

if they work five days a week, make another 1 million

trips each week to and from the Strip.

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the sunday12

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the sunday13

jan. 17 - jan. 23

(844) 304-4756 | 6625 West Roy Horn Way Las Vegas, NV 89118

the sunday15



By J.D. Morris | staff writer

The long process of bringing light rail to Las Vegas has begun.

It’s being handled by a mix of related but distinct groups made up of government of-ficials, resort representatives and others.

The push started more than three years ago, when Rossi Ralenkotter, president of the Las Vegas Con-vention and Visitors Authority, brought local tourism indus-try leaders together to talk about trans-portation issues. Ralenkotter made it clear from the outset the group needed to think beyond its own specific interests about how to keep Las Vegas glob-ally competitive, according to Tina Quigley, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission.

The group met regularly for several months before bringing in the firm ch2m as a consultant to craft a detailed, long-term vision for transportation in Southern Ne-vada. The result, about 18 months later, was the Transportation Investment Business Plan.

The plan includes a long list of sugges-tions, such as new pedestrian bridges and wider sidewalks on the Strip, road and free-way improvements, expansion of the mono-rail and a circulator trolley downtown. But the most significant recommendation was for light rail to connect the airport, the Strip and downtown Las Vegas.

Light rail is an attractive option because it could grow into a transit system that serves the entire region and has the flex-ibility to include both street-level and un-

derground segments. The plan also notes the Strip’s high number of fare-paying cus-tomers could help attract private invest-ment.

So far, the plan has been presented to the RTC’s board and the board of the Las

Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. It is slated to be

presented to the South-ern Nevada Tourism

Infrastructure Com-mittee this month. That committee is playing a key role in determining the fu-ture for major tour-ism projects in Las

Vegas. Convened last summer by Gov. Brian

Sandoval, the group is tasked with evaluating

the area’s tourism-related infrastructure, establishing pri-

orities and making recommendations for how best to move forward.

A report from the committee to Sandoval and the Legislature is expected this summer.

Meanwhile, the transportation plan has been available for public review since it was released in December (visit rtcsnv.com/govegas to download the plan). Quigley ex-pects to bring a final version of the plan, incorporating changes from the public and various boards, back to the RTC board in March.

At that point, Quigley said she expects to ask for guidance in a few key areas. One likely will be seeking the formation of an-other group, the Resort Corridor Mobility Association, to help carry out proposals in the plan.

The RTC also will need direction from its board on evaluating light rail and the differ-ent ways of implementing it.

How does a plan like tHis come to be? wHo is responsible?

how much would it cost to build?Depending on how and where a light rail line is built, it could cost anywhere from $600 million to $5.7 billion, which RTC officials project would amount to $2 billion to $12 billion in 10 to 20 years when the system likely would be built. Much of the cost depends on whether the system is built above ground or underground and how many miles the line travels. There would be additional costs for operation and maintenance.

where would the funding come from?The project could be paid for using a combination of federal sources, taxes and local revenue, including sales tax, parking fees, naming rights and grants awarded through the Federal Transit Authority.

how much would it cost to ride?RTC officials expect the light rail line to cost money to ride, but no fare amounts have been discussed. However, it’s still early in the process, and the fare proposal could change.

wHat comes next?The next step is to conduct an environmental study, which should take three to five years. Designing and funding the project likely would take another three to five years, then construction could begin.

is this plan a done deal?No. None of these plans is set in stone. In fact, RTC officials expect plans could change as stakeholders and the public weigh in. The RTC proposal represents a basic outline of a working light rail system, but a full-fledged plan ready to be executed remains a long way off.

Mass transit isn’t just about engineering. It also

involves politics, race and class considerations, and as such can

be tricky to navigate. For example, in December, civil rights groups sued the Maryland governor for cancelling

a long-planned rail extension that would have served predominantly black neighborhoods. At the same time, mass transit can contribute

to gentrification, as it has in West Oakland.

SPECIAL ISSUE LIGHT RAIL LAS VEGAS Send your news information to [email protected]

Building one mile of light rail costs from $25 million to more than $100 million, depending on whether it’s built above, at or below ground level. That means

constructing a 10-mile light rail system from, say, Mc-Carran International Airport to North Las Vegas City Hall would cost from $250 million to more than $1 bil-lion . That doesn’t include the cost of a transit center at McCarran to connect the system to the airport or the construction of transit centers or hubs along the line.

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada proposes a more extensive line wrapping around McCarran to the Bonneville Transit Center in downtown Las Vegas. Transportation offi -cials say building that system could cost $600 million to $5.7 billion , depending on whether the system trav-els above, at or below ground level.

RTC offi cials also propose running a bus rapid tran-sit or a light rail line down Maryland Parkway from downtown to the airport. That project doesn’t have a cost estimate yet, but a light rail route would need to be at least six miles long to span the parkway, which means it would cost roughly $150 million to more than $600 million just to lay the rail.

Expanding the Bonneville Transit Center is ex-pected to cost $5 million to $11 million, and a light rail extension to Cashman Center would cost $128 million to $200 million. Building a new transit center at Mc-Carran to link the light rail system to the airport is ex-pected to cost $300 million to $360 million.

The plan likely would require a patchwork of fund-ing approach es , cobbled together from a number of lo-cal, state and federal sources.

Here’s a look at some of the possibilities.— Megan Messerly

HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT?Light rail could transform the future of Las Vegas — but the future comes with a hefty price tag

OPTION 1

ROOM TAX

OPTION 2

PASSENGER FEES

BUILDING ON EXISTING FINANCE STRUCTURES

Since the late 1950 s, visitors to Las Vegas have been charged a tax on top of the cost of their hotel rooms. Although initially intended to pay for efforts to boost tourism, a decreasing percentage of the money has been reinvested in tourism, from almost 100 percent to about 35 percent . Portions of the money, for instance, now pay for education. One percent goes toward transportation projects.

Every time someone boards an airplane in Las Vegas, he or she pays a small fee that goes to McCarran International Airport. The passenger facility charge, managed by the federal government, is collected by airports to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.

The maximum airports are allowed to charge by law is $4.50 per segment. McCarran charges $4.50.

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23THE SUNDAY

16

WHAT IS IT? HOW MUCH IS IT?

It used to be 5 percent for resorts; today, it’s 12 percent on the Strip and 13 percent downtown.

LIGHT RAIL LAS VEGAS Send your news information to [email protected] SPECIAL ISSUE THE SUNDAY

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23

17

HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT?

Increasing the fee would require congressional approval. The fee hasn’t increased in 15 years.

BUILDING ON EXISTING FINANCE STRUCTURES Taxes provide a stable, signifi cant funding source for transportation projects. For instance, Phoenix recently approved a sales tax increase from 0.4 percent to 0.7 percent that is expected to generate almost $17 billion to ward the city’s $32 billion, 35-year transportation plan. ¶ The Regional Transportation Com-

mission of Southern Nevada proposes using money from two existing taxes in Clark County to help pay for light rail in Southern Nevada. ¶ Room tax from the resort corridor also could be used to fund projects if approved by the Nevada Legislature, although the RTC isn’t considering that .

Anyone staying in a hotel room in the state . The amount varies by jurisdiction , with the bulk coming from Southern Nevada .

In fi scal year 2014, Southern Nevada brought in $565 million in room tax. Of that, $179 million went to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, $139 million to the State Distributive School Account and $78 million to the Clark County School District.

The 1 percent of room tax that goes to transportation projects could be used to pay for a light rail system. But RTC offi cials aren’t considering that for now. “It’s certainly a potential funding source, it’s just not one we’re talking about actively right now,” General Manager Tina Quigley said.

Yes, but it would need approval by two-thirds of the Nevada Legislature. State lawmakers also could choose to change the laws that specify where money generated by the tax goes.

It’s too soon to say. But based on the $565 million generated in 2014, a 1 percent increase would net about $47 million and a 2 percent increase about $94 million.

Air travelers. Airlines collect the fee when people book their airplane tickets, then pass the money along to airports.

Nationally , the fee brings in about $3 billion each year, which airports use to fi nance infrastructure projects. McCarran generated almost $84 million in passenger fees during the last fi scal year.

Revenue generated by the passenger fee charge can be used to fi nance special projects at the airport such as a new terminal or transit center at to connect the airport to a light rail system . Streamlining travel between McCarran and the Strip could make Las Vegas more competitive with other tourist destinations that already have or are building transit systems that connect to their airports. The passenger facility charge, however, couldn’t be used to fund the light rail system itself, and the money McCarran collects is allotted toward other projects.

■ Federal Highway Administration

■ Federal Transit Administration

■ U.S. Department of Transportation

■ Federal Railroad Administration

■ Department of the Treasury

OPTION 3

FEDERAL FUNDING

Money from a number of federal grants could be applied toward building light rail.Funding for the grant programs are authorized by Congress in the federal budget.

Agencies that administer transportation grants:

WHO PAYS IT?HOW MUCH IS IT?

HOW MUCH MONEY DOES IT GENERATE?

HOW COULD IT BENEFIT LIGHT RAIL?

CAN IT BE INCREASED?

HOW MUCH MORE COULD IT GENERATE?

In 2015, airports urged Congress to raise the fee to $8.50 per segment as part of its reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration funding bill. The measure failed.

Orlando, one of Las Vegas’s biggest

competitors for conventions, plans to build

a maglev route between its main convention center and airport.

TURN TO PAGE 18 TO

READ ABOUT MORE FUNDING

OPTIONS

LIGHT RAIL LAS VEGAS Send your news information to [email protected] ISSUE

FAREBOX REVENUE

Money generated from charging fares to public transit riders can be used as collateral for revenue bonds. That type of

fi nancing was used to pay for the Bay Area Rapid Transit in San

Francisco, the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Los Angeles and

the Regional Transit Authority

in Chicago.

18THE SUNDAYJAN. 17 - JAN. 23

OTHER LOCAL FUNDING OPTIONS

While some people argue that mass transit in Las Vegas would be a public

service and therefore should be free, t he RTC isn’t considering free light rail because fares could provide important funding for the project , both to back revenue bonds and to entice a private company to invest in the system.

That said, if there were a way to build light

rail and provide free rides, Quigley would be open to hear it.

“If the community supported free transit and we could fi nd a funding mechanism for it, we certainly could see exploring that conversation,” Quigley said.

Denver, Colo., and Trenton, N.J., experimented with fare-free transit in the late 1970s, as did Austin, Texas, in 1989, and

all were considered unsuccessful. Fare-free systems, however, have succeeded for smaller transit systems in Commerce, Calif., and Amherst, Mass.

Because free mass transit hasn’t been attempted many places, it’s diffi cult to know how much making a Las Vegas system free would cost. Fares typically pay for all or some of the costs of operation and maintenance.

OPTION 4

BLM LAND SALES

THE COST OF FREE TRANSIT

Southern Nevada is unusual in that much of our land is owned by the federal government. Under the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, money from the sale of certain public lands designated under the act can be applied toward preservation efforts, capital improvements and conservation initiatives — and potentially building a light rail system in Las Vegas.

It is land owned by the federal government and overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. In Southern Nevada, t he bureau oversees 3.1 million acres of federal land . It is used in a number of ways but generally is open, empty space. One of the reasons land remains under BLM control is to stop urban sprawl.

In 1998, Congress enacted the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act to provide the federal government an organized way to sell land in Southern Nevada. Parcels of land to be sold are selected by local governments and the Bureau of Land Management. The sales take place fairly regularly.

The Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act outlines a number of projects it can fund, including capital improvements, conservation initiatives and the creation of parks, trails and natural areas. Rob Lang, director of Brookings Mountain West, believes there’s a strong case to be made that light rail would contribute to conservation by reducing urban sprawl. Therefore, r evenue generated by selling public land at the edge of town could, in turn, fund a system that encourages density. Lang said a light rail system could persuade fewer people to live on the periphery of the valley and thereby fulfi ll the mission of land conservation and increased residential density .

It’s not clear , but Lang estimated anywhere from a couple hundred million to a billion dollars . The amount would depend on how much land the BLM would be willing to sell and whether offi cials would allocate the money to a light rail project.

BLM-controlled land

Las Vegas

WHAT IS IT?

HOW CANIT BE SOLD?

HOW COULD IT BENEFIT LIGHT RAIL?

HOW MUCH MONEY COULD BE GENERATED?

■ TAX INCREMENT FINANCING AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS Taxes and fees can be applied to a group of properties to fund transit construction or other improvements within a specifi c area.

■ PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPPublic agencies can form partnerships with private entities to construct, manage or operate projects such as a light rail system. In exchange for an upfront investment, t he private entity typically receive s a portion of fare revenue .

SNPLMA DISPOSAL BOUNDARY

rail projectsin other cities

the sunday19



Washington is far from the only city that has seen its urban landscape transformed by new transportation options.

Consider Denver. Colorado’s most popu-lous city began operating just a few miles of light rail in 1994. Since then, the light rail has grown into a regional transit system that’s still expanding.

It wasn’t easy getting there, said Scott Reed, of Denver’s Regional Transportation District. Denver had to overcome a large amount of speculation and uncertainty about whether light rail could be successful in a western city accustomed to cars as the dominant mode of transportation, Reed said.

Yet once the first 5.3 miles of light rail was up and running, many opinions were swayed. Officials immediately had to order additional cars.

“The argument completely shifted from ‘Would anybody want this?’ to ‘How soon can I get the line in my area?’ ” Reed said. “It was almost overnight.”

The impact on neighborhoods has been unmistakable, said Reed, a Denver trans-portation district employee for more than two decades. Development has followed the spread of the city’s transportation projects, including the recent conversion of Denver’s Union Station into a hub for light rail, buses and trains. The changes created a new epi-

center downtown, Reed said.There are other examples, too. Develop-

ment along Phoenix’s 20-mile light rail route exceeded $8 billion, officials in the region said. The system, Valley Metro, cost $1.4 bil-lion to build and opened in 2008.

Similarly, Orlando, Fla., has tracked doz-ens of construction projects around its new commuter rail system, SunRail, which opened in 2014. Within a 10-minute walk of its rail stations, 13 projects worth almost $550 million are being built. Another 16 proj-ects worth $1.8 billion have been announced or are under review, SunRail officials say.

Las Vegas has toyed with mass-transit projects multiple times.

About 10 years ago, the Regional Trans-portation Commission considered a 30-plus mile light rail system to link Henderson, the Strip, downtown Las Vegas and North Las Vegas. But the idea encountered resistance, particularly from Henderson residents who didn’t want mass transit running through their neighborhoods. The RTC moved for-ward with bus rapid transit instead.

Years later, a state legislator proposed building a similar light rail system to con-nect the valley’s major areas, but those plans never materialized, either.

RTC General Manager Tina Quigley said the most recent light rail proposal may have

a better shot because it is the result of collab-oration among many stakeholders, including resort executives, government officials and tourism leaders, whose support is needed to make the project happen.

Of course, the process is in its early stages, and there remains plenty of room for critical voices to emerge as details are refined. In addition, Ross said, Las Vegas could struggle because of the width of its thoroughfares, some of which may need to become more pedestrian-friendly to house light rail stations.

Yet Las Vegas has plenty of factors in its favor: a consistently high volume of tour-ists who would ride the system and a steady flow of employees who work nontraditional hours, to name a few.

Transportation experts from other re-gions have taken notice.

“From, I think, the first time I went to Vegas, I thought that the Strip was an abso-lute natural for light rail, just because of the amount of people and the crowds,” said Paul Jablonski, CEO of San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System. “I’ve ridden the bus system a number of times on the Strip. It’s overcrowd-ed; you have problems with too many people at stops waiting to get on; the system is slow. Light rail would have the capacity and the ease of boarding to move people quickly.”

By J.D. Morris | staff writer

W hen Benjamin Ross moved to the Washington, D.C., area years ago, the city felt like one big suburb. Despite its large population, Washington’s walkability and urban vibe paled in comparison with New York’s or Boston’s. ¶ But that changed after the Metro rail system was built. ¶ “It has completely

transformed the city,” said Ross, a transit advocate who wrote a book about suburban sprawl. ¶ Ross has seen the impact Metro has had on Washington neighborhoods, increasing development, density and connec-tivity. And he has fought to continue expanding the transit system by supporting the creation of a light rail line that would run through Washington’s Maryland suburbs, including Bethesda, Md., where Ross lives.

the sunday20


With its iconic theme parks, warm weather and popularity as a convention destination, Orlando is an easy comparison to Las Vegas, and its commuter rail system gives the area a

bragging right over the Strip.

SunRail opened in May 2014 as a nearly 32-mile system with 12 stations along a north-south route. The state bought 61 miles

of existing tracks that had been owned and used by the CSX Transportation railroad, then “brought them up to daily commuter

rail standards,” said Steve Olson, a Florida Department of Transportation spokesman.

SunRail cost $1.2 billion, according to the Orlando Sentinel, including $615 million for capital costs. The project was backed

by federal, state and local public funds.

For the first seven years, the state transportation department will operate the system. After that, local governments will be in charge.

For now, the system has a more limited schedule than larger rail lines in other cities. It operates only Monday through

Friday, although it could operate on the weekends, Olson said.

During its first year, SunRail reported nearly 900,000 fare-paying riders, with an average daily ridership of about 3,700,

according to media reports.

“Our core commuters are just totally sold on it, and they’re really a loyal bunch,” Olson said. “The challenge, though, is you

need to keep growing that number and bringing new people into the system. That’s where we’re at right now.”

Ridership numbers are expected to grow, thanks to SunRail’s second phase expansion, which is under way. The next phase includes a 17.2-mile southern addition and a 12-mile northern

addition. Both are set to be operational by late 2017.

While Phoenix may not have as dominant a tourism industry as Las Vegas, it is comparable in other ways, namely because it’s

also a sunny Southwestern city with suburban sprawl.

With 4.5 million residents, the Phoenix area is home to more than twice as many residents as Clark County and is one of the

nation’s largest metros. Given that, it’s not surprising Phoenix has taken more aggressive steps to move its people around faster.

The first installment of the region’s light rail system, a 20-mile line that’s part of the Valley Metro public-transit system, was

completed in December 2008. It since has been extended to 23 miles, with plans to add more this year. It serves Phoenix as well

as the neighboring cities of Tempe and Mesa.

The first 20 miles of light rail cost $1.4 billion to build and was financed by local and federal funds. Phoenix voters in 2000

approved a 0.4 percent sales tax increase to pay for public-transit improvements, including light rail. Voters in Maricopa County in

2004 extended an older half-cent sales tax, agreeing to use some of the money to fund the capital costs of building light rail.

The light rail’s operating costs are covered by the cities where the system operates, Valley Metro spokeswoman Susan Tierney said. The light rail has an annual ridership of about 14.3 million

and an average weekday ridership of more than 43,000.

And the system is poised for growth. Phoenix voters in 2015 approved a major transportation initiative, Proposition 104, that raises the 0.4 percent sales tax to 0.7 percent. It it

expected to raise billions of dollars to help fund an ambitious long-term transportation plan that includes tripling the length

of the light rail system in the city.

O R L A N D O p h O e N i x

M e t r o a r e a p o p u l at i o n

2 .3 m i l l i o nM e t r o a r e a p o p u l at i o n

4 . 5 m i l l i o nc o s t o f s u n r a i l p r oj e c t

32 miles = $1.2 billion c o s t o f p r oj e c t

20 miles = $1.4 billion

the sunday21



San Diego launched its light rail system in 1981, making it something of a pioneer.

Known as the San Diego Trolley, the system began as a 15-mile line that ran from the Mexico border into downtown San Diego. It was built for about $7 million a mile, which Metropolitan Transit

System CEO Paul Jablonski called “almost unheard of” because it it was built on old freight tracks.

As did Denver, San Diego kicked off the project without any federal funds.

At one point, the San Diego system had a farebox recovery rate of well over 100 percent, according to Jablonski, meaning it received more than enough revenue from passenger fares to

cover the cost of operations. The recovery rate has fallen to about 60 percent because the system expanded, but it’s still a far better

margin than many other public-transit systems are able to achieve.

Over 25 years, the system grew to cover 54 miles, as operators added more lines. The economic impact of the

trolley has been massive, Jablonski said. The trolley moves 110,000 people or more each day.

One of the particular benefits for San Diego has been that service workers who may not make enough money to live in more

expensive parts of the city can commute using light rail.

“San Diego, to some extent, is kind of like a mini-Vegas,” Jablonski said. “(Light rail) has had a huge impact on people

getting to these jobs and making downtown San Diego vibrant and productive and successful, because we deliver the workers

there that make all that work.”

And as in other cities, the footprint of San Diego’s light rail system is growing. An 11-mile trolley extension, expected to begin service in

2021, will run from downtown San Diego to University City.

Residents of Denver have used light rail for more than 20 years, and the system continues to grow.

Denver’s original 5.3 miles of light rail opened in 1994 to connect a limited portion of the city’s central core. Denver paid for the construction using entirely local money, said Scott Reed,

of Denver’s Regional Transportation District.

The district has expanded the line since, adding a southwest corridor in 2000, another line in downtown Denver in 2002

and a southeast corridor in 2006. The system got a green light from the public for its largest expansion in 2004, when voters approved FasTracks, which is bringing 122 miles of additional light rail and commuter rail to the Denver area, as well as 18

miles of bus rapid transit and new transit stations. New light rail lines are expected to open this year.

While FasTracks was approved by voters at a budget of $4.7 billion, the cost has grown by billions of dollars. The project

has its critics, but Reed said it has been a net positive for the Denver region. Even the original 5.3 miles brought noticeable

changes, Reed said, as businesses wanted to locate near the line and residents prized living nearby. Upgrades to Denver’s Union

Station brought even more development.

“As an area native, it has been gratifying to see how investments in commuter rail, light rail and other forms of transit

have positively shaped the Denver metro area,” Reed said. “It really becomes an investment for future generations, as well as

the current riders. That’s the type of legacy that I’m very proud to leave for my children and beyond.”

d e n v e r s a n d i e g o

M e t r o a r e a p o p u l at i o n

2 . 7 m i l l i o nM e t r o a r e a p o p u l at i o n

3 . 3 m i l l i o nc o s t o f p r oj e c t

48 miles and growingc o s t o f s a n d i e g o t r o l l e y p r oj e c t

54 miles (initial phase cost $7 million a mile)

the sunday22

jan. 17 - jan. 23

impacts of l ight rail

T h e e f f e c T s r e a c h f a r b e y o n d T r a n s p o r

on tourists

More on pages 36-37

oncommerce

More on page 38

on real estate

More on pages

38-39

ondowntownMore on page 42-43 on people

More on page 32-33

municipalitiesMore on page 40

Greater ease of travel

Cheaper than cabs Quicker

thanbuses

Another tourist

attraction

Quick and

efficient

Practical and

experiential

Increased commercial

development

Development of new

commercial centers

Increased options for

small business owners

Enable the Smith Center for the Performing

Arts to continue to develop and

expand

Link to the Bonneville

Transit Center to further expand transportation

options

Integrate with Las Vegas’

city plan for downtown

Encourage expansion of

the Arts District

Spark increased

development of Symphony

Park

Build on the good work of Tony Hsieh

and the Downtown

Project

Increase pedestrian

traffic

Improve safety

Improved infrastructure

Encourage development north of the

WynnEasy access to Las Vegas Fairgrounds

More foot traffic

Attract new events to the area

Piggyback on projects such as Resorts World

Las Vegas and Alon Las Vegas

Increased economic

development

More access to visitors and

revenue

Greater connectivity

Increased density

Increased development

Increased density in the

urban core

Revitalized blighted

areas

Easier,safer

commutes

Desireable for techies

Affordable for shift workers

Increased connectivity with UNLV

Increased mobility

Attractive to millennials

More opportunities

for connections with others

Increased property

values

More access to

jobs

More affordable

housing

Expanded housing options

Less urban sprawl

Reinvigorated neighborhoods

Higher sales and revenues

Additional retail

opportunities

Creation of new

commercial hubs

More access to different

parts of the valley

Easy access to

shopping, dining, gaming and

entertainment

on the north stripMore on page 37

the sunday23

jan. 17 - jan. 23

impacts of l ight rail

T h e e f f e c T s r e a c h f a r r a n s p o r T a T i o n

on thestrip

More on pages 36-37

on sports

More on page 45

onBUsiness Visitors

More on page 38on

BUsinessMore on page 38

on lifestyle

More on pages 32-33

on the enVironment

More on page 32

Attractive to pro sports

franchises

Advantageous for UNLV

sports fans

Enhanced fan

experience

Reduced traffic and conjestion

Fewer parking

woes

Complementary to planned

and proposed arena projects

Increase the number of

connected square feet of convention

space available in the valley

Increased personal and professional

opportunities

A more cutting-edge

city vibe

Improved quality of life

A moreaccessible

public transportation

system

Free or low-cost

transportation

Increased modernity

and vibrancy

Reduced traffic congestion

and less stress for

commuters

Increased sense of

community

Prevent conventions from leaving Las Vegas

for competing cities

Put Las Vegas

on par with competing convention

cities

Increase future

development possibilities

Encourage economic

development

Short- and long-term job

creation

Easy access to multiple sporting

venues such as Mandalay

Bay, MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile

Arena

Easy transport to

the Las Vegas Motor

Speedway

Fewer greenhouse

gas emmissions

Decreased dependence on

foreign oil

Less wear-and-tear

on local transportation infrastructureSmaller

impact on the environment

Creation of “green”

jobs

Reduced carbon

footprint

Reduced energy use

Cleaner air

Easy access to Las Vegas Fairgrounds

More efficient movement of

people

Increased pedestrian traffic and

safety

Reduced vehicle traffic

More foot traffic

Attract new events to the area

Complementary to outdoor pedestrian

projects like the Linq and the Park

Improvedaccess to retail,

dining, gaming and

entertainment

A new experiential attraction

Improved transportation

to and from conventions

Morechances to make

connections

More opportunities

for entrepreneurs

Easy access to downtown and North Las Vegas for meetings and

site visits

Shorter taxi

waits

Affordable for shift workers

on the north stripMore on page 37

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the sunday25

jan. 17 - jan. 23special issue

Finanical impactA two-person household can

save, on average, more than

$10,175 a year by downsizing

to one car, the American Public

Transportation Association found.

Households near public transit

drive an average of 4,400 fewer

miles annually than households

with no access to public transit.

environmental impactPublic transportation use in the

United States reduces the country’s

carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually, according

to the American Public Transportation

Association. That is the combined amount

that would be saved if New York, Atlanta,

Denver, Los Angeles and Washington,

D.C., all stopped using electricity.

U.S. public transportation use saves on

average more than 865 million hours

of travel time and 450 million gallons

of fuel, according to the American

Public Transportation Association. A

single commuter switching his or her

commute to public transportation can

reduce a household’s carbon emissions

by 10 percent, the American Public

Transportation Association found.

IllustratIon by hernan valencIa

the sunday26


c o m p a r i n g p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o nCo

st to

bu

ild

a

nd

rid

e

avera

ge s

peed

peak C

apa

C ity

ease o

f

b

uil

d

r ider e

xper ien

Ce

$25M-$60M/Mile street level

$150M/Mile below ground

$50M-$150M/Mile above ground

$50M-$150M/Mile

$5M-$20M/Mile at street level

$500,000-$20 Million/Mile

20-30 Mph

10-25 Mph

15-25 Mph

8-30 Mph

2,000people/hour

1,800people/hour

840people/hour

480people/hour

Light rail vehicles are wide and long, providing seating and standing space to accommo-date 130 or more passengers per vehicle. The systems run on predictable schedules. Stations typically offer many amenities such as park-and-rides, weather shelters, seating and ample lighting.

Like light rail, streetcars have set schedules and stops. The cars are shorter and narrower than light rail cars and carry 35 or more passengers each. Streetcar stops resemble bus stops, with limited seating and fewer overhead shelters.

Riding bus rapid transit is much like riding a bus, only with fewer stops. Although there may be some extra amenities at stations, most look like typical bus stops.

To board the monorail, passengers will need to climb a set of stairs or take an escalator or an elevator, which may be difficult for some individuals. However, because monorails have stations above ground-level traffic, boarding is typically a smooth process. Stops are relatively frequent, and the monorail can travel faster since it does not have to stop for other traffic. Some riders may enjoy the scenery looking down on the city below them while others may feel that the monorail’s track mars the city’s landscape.

More involved than modern streetcars or bus rapid transits. Light rail typically is offset from the street by a physical barrier that must be constructed, along with stations. Rails have to be laid and a power system installed. Above- or below-ground systems take longer to build.

Easier than light rail, more difficult than bus rapid transit. Before streetcars can operate, rails and a power system must be built into streets, and passenger stations must be constructed.

Much easier than light rail or modern streetcar. Many bus rapid transit systems feature platform-level boarding, al-lowing riders in wheelchairs to embark and disembark more quickly than if the bus had to lower a ramp. Many systems feature designated lanes for the buses. However, no rails or electricity are needed.

More difficult than light rail, modern streetcars and bus rapid transit operating at ground level. Because monorail lines and stations are elevated, they typically take more time and money to build.

Cost to ride: No one knows yet. The RTC pro-poses charging passengers for light rail service,

but RTC General Manager Tina Quigley said the agency hasn’t decided how much the fares would be. Others propose a free system. They argue that mass transit is a public service and

therefore should be free.

Cost to ride: Strip routes cost $6 for a two-hour pass. The RTC’s Strip bus

routes operate at a profit and subsidize the rest of the routes in the system. The RTC

hopes that the lucrative system can attract a company to enter into a public-private partnership with the agency to provide

funding to build a light rail system.

Cost to ride: Nevada residents — $1; out-of-state residents — $5

the sunday27

jan. 17 - jan. 23special issuelight rail las vegas Send your news information to [email protected]

c o m p a r i n g p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n

light railDesigned to transport passengers within an urban core, light rail systems typically include stops every half-mile or mile on lines that run 5 to 20 miles long, connecting suburban communities with central business districts. Light rails generally run on their own rights of way, usually a space separate from the road, although some run alongside roads. Most trains include multiple cars and are powered either by electricity overhead or by an electrified third rail on the ground. Rail cars can travel above ground level, at grade or below ground. Light rail has been especially popular in recent years because of its relatively low capital costs and increased reliability compared with heavy rail systems.

Cities with light rail: Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Los Angeles

Modern streetcarOperated on a shorter circuit than light rail, modern streetcars typically transport passengers within a contained, 5- to 10-mile area — for instance, up and down Maryland Parkway. The cars are powered by overhead lines or an underground electrified third rail but typically don’t have their own right of way, instead sharing the flow of traffic with vehicles and picking up passengers at sidewalk stops that resemble bus stops. Streetcars travel more slowly than light rail and typically run as single cars or shorter trains.

Cities with modern streetcars: Dallas, Tuscon, Portland, Atlanta

bus rapid transitBus rapid transit is a faster, streamlined bus system timed to serve specific high-traffic routes. Buses make fewer stops, are given priority at traffic signals and drive in dedicated lanes, all to speed travel time.

Cities with bus rapid transit: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Boston

MonorailThe Las Vegas Monorail is an intra-Strip transportation system that runs on its own elevated track. Monorails typically aren’t used for mass transit in major metropolitan areas. The RTC has proposed extending the existing Monorail to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and adding a stop at the Sands Expo Convention Center to make the monorail the easiest way of traveling the Strip for conventioneers.

Cities with monorail: Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Seattle

Much easier than light rail or modern streetcar. Many bus rapid transit systems feature platform-level boarding, al-lowing riders in wheelchairs to embark and disembark more quickly than if the bus had to lower a ramp. Many systems feature designated lanes for the buses. However, no rails or electricity are needed.

so why build light rail when the strip already has the Monorail?Light rail would serve a different purpose than the Monorail. Whereas the Monorail links Strip properties together, light rail would stretch beyond the Strip, south to the airport, north to downtown Las Vegas and possibly into North Las Vegas as well.

the sunday28

jan. 17 - jan. 23 Created and Presented by

can’t find time to exercise?try an active commute

The benefits of leading an active lifestyle are innumerable. From decreased rates of obesity and serious disease to increased rates of psychological health,

regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your body. But finding time for the recommended 20 to 30 minutes daily is difficult for many people. ¶ If setting aside a designated time to work out isn’t possible, repurposing time in your schedule can be a great way to sneak in exercise. ¶ Enter: the active commute. Instead of driving to work, incorporating a physically active mode of transportation can help establish exercise as a core component in your daily routine. ¶ Pierre Létourneau, a physical therapist at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center, rides his bicycle to work daily and shared his tips for how to have a safe and healthy active commute.

HealtH benefits of active commutingHealth benefits that can result from a consistent increase in physical activity include lower obesity rates, lower disease rates (such as for cancer, diabetes and heart disease), higher energy levels and longer life expectancy. Beyond being a convenient way to get in a workout, there are other notable benefits of active commuting. The World Health Organization reports that the potential health benefits of walking, biking or taking public transportation to work include reduced respiratory and cardiovascular disease from air pollution, reduced risk of traffic injury and reduced noise stress.

Furthermore, a British study published in 2014 by Preventative Medicine found a correlation between active commuting and an increase in a person’s psychological well-being and overall happiness. Létourneau supports the claim. “My bike ride to work allows me to arrive awake, alert and ready to go. ... Biking home allows me to clear my head from work issues. It’s good for stress relief,” he said. The study also reported that well-being increased with travel time for walkers but decreased for drivers, so even if an active commute takes longer, the health benefits continue to accumulate.

WHat is active commuting? The term describes any physically active means of commuting, such as walking, biking or taking public transportation. While riding public transportation isn’t active in itself, the process of traveling to and from stops, and between transfer points, accounts for physical activity.

Walking and biking are among the best, and often most practical, methods of active commuting. But because Las Vegas is so spread out, a quick walk to

work may not be possible for many of us. While longer commutes may require more consideration, they can still be turned into an active practice.

“Walking is a healthy alternative for people who live close enough to their jobs,” Létourneau said. If you live less than 3 miles from your job, walking may be

an option. Biking is an excellent mode of transportation for people who live a bit farther, say 3 miles to 12 miles from work, but still are able to take surface

streets. For people who must make a cross-town trek, incorporating public transportation can make an active commute possible. The physically active time

spent walking or riding to a bus stop, then walking or riding to your destination, will add up.

There are plenty of other ways to incorporate physical activity into

your daily routine and even into your workday. You can walk to your lunch destination, take a brisk lap around

the block during a break or do light, muscle-strengthening

exercises at your desk.

be patientLétourneau stressed

the importance of build-ing your commute gradually and taking your time. “Don’t try to accomplish too much, too soon,” he said. “Set chal-lenging but reasonable goals

and be proud of yourself when you reach your

goals.”

Created and Presented by Southern hillS hoSpital & medical center

Active commuting in LAs vegAsWalking and biking are among the best, and often most practical, methods of

active commuting. But because Las Vegas is so spread out, a quick walk to work may not be possible for many of us. While longer commutes may require

more consideration, they can still be turned into an active practice.

“Walking is a healthy alternative for people who live close enough to their jobs,” Létourneau said. If you live less than 3 miles from your job, walking may be

an option. Biking is an excellent mode of transportation for people who live a bit farther, say 3 miles to 12 miles from work, but still are able to take surface

streets. For people who must make a cross-town trek, incorporating public transportation can make an active commute possible. The physically active time

spent walking or riding to a bus stop, then walking or riding to your destination, will add up.

WhAt if Active commuting

isn’t for you? There are plenty of other ways to incorporate physical activity into

your daily routine and even into your workday. You can walk to your lunch destination, take a brisk lap around

the block during a break or do light, muscle-strengthening

exercises at your desk.

plan your route Be sure you’ve chosen a route that has sidewalks and/or bike

lanes and convenient crosswalks, and is well lit at night.

time it Do a couple of practice runs on a weekend to be sure

you won’t be late come Monday morning, then give yourself an extra five minutes to 10 minutes, just to be safe.

dreSS appropriately Walking shoes, backpacks or messenger bags, and even a quick change of clothes for once you get to the office,

may be necessary. Létourneau recommends light layers for colder months and long-sleeve shirts,

sunblock and plenty of water during the summer.

Be Seen eaSily Whether you’re biking or walking, be sure to wear bright or light-

colored clothing and reflectors at night or in inclement weather. Bicycles should have both front and rear lights.

other tips for Active commuting

hAve fun“Start by doing some-

thing you enjoy or used to enjoy at a younger age,”

Létourneau said. If walking or biking doesn’t sound appealing, why not dust off an old skate-

board or scooter? It’s your time, and you should

enjoy it.

www.SunriseHealthInfo.com

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 • 7:30PMThe Symphonic Rockshow is returning to The Smith Center with a powerful tribute to British Rock.

It’s the biggest hits from The Who, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd and more performed live by a 21-piece orchestra led by Lon Bronson, and fronted by vocalist Brody Dolyniuk and state of the art visuals.

TICKETS STARTING AT $29 | FOR TICKETS VISIT THESMITHCENTER.COM

361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106 | 702.749.2000 | TTY: 800.326.6868 or dial 711

A look into the future: Residents of downtown Las Vegas ride their bikes to the closest light rail station. They dismount, pick up their

bikes and store them on the train. There no longer is a need for a car. Getting around town becomes lively — sometimes too lively

when the train picks up late-night partiers on the Strip. Co-workers and friends run into each other. Strangers stop for conversations. Light rail connects parts of the city that never before were linked. ¶ Tourists take light rail to the Strip. A UNLV student takes the

train from campus to North Las Vegas for a class project. A resident commutes to his job at Town Square. ¶ There is less traffi c in

the core area of the valley — around the Strip and McCarran International Airport. Mobility is vastly improved.

— Daniel Rothberg

PEOPLE ANDLIFESTYLE

THE SUNDAY31

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23LIGHT RAIL LAS VEGAS

Send your news information to [email protected] SPECIAL ISSUE

THE SUNDAY32


In downtown Las

Vegas, there is high-end

housing in luxury apartment

buildings, such as the Juhl

and the Ogden, but a dearth

of mid-range housing.

Proponents of a light rail

system say its development

could stimulate the creation

of more affordable housing.

But because rents tend to

rise around light rail lines, it

would require a concerted

effort by city offi cials.

In neighborhoods that

have developed new public

transportation, the vast majority

— 74 percent — saw rising rent,

according to a study from the

Dukakis Center for Urban and

Regional Policy at Northeastern

University. Cities such as

Charlotte, N.C., and Denver

combated potential problems

of pricing out existing residents

by buying land around transit

stations to ensure affordable

housing. In 2015, Los Angeles’

metro agency embarked on a

similar course, evaluating land

around its rail stations that

can be set aside for affordable

housing.

Portland has the Pearl

District, and Austin

has 6th Street. Millennials

crowd these areas for their

vibe — the hipster bars, chic

coffee shops and intimate

music venues. Las Vegas

has many of the same

amenities, but they largely

are unconnected. Some are

downtown. Some are in the

Arts District. Some are on

the Strip. So spread out are

they that visitors often are

surprised so many options

exist. A light rail system

could connect them and

allow visitors and residents

more mobility. It’s easy to

get trapped in the valley.

Visitors don’t have to leave

the Strip, let alone their hotel.

Residents don’t have to leave

their neighborhoods. Light

rail would give people more

options to move. Visitors

seeking out neighborhood

bars and coffee shops could

take a train downtown, while

locals could access the Strip

without weaving through

congestion and crowds.

Las Vegas is ruled by

cars. Most people here

drive to work, and many fi nd

themselves grinding their

teeth through traffi c. A light

rail system could cut down on

the miles people drive and the

time they spend in their cars.

A well-planned transit system

could eliminate the frustration

of having to navigate some

of the city’s densest areas.

Moreover, in vehicles, people

have little opportunity to

interact with others, except

perhaps to express their

frustration with another

driver. Light rail could connect

people who otherwise would

not interact in a valley that is

sprawling and largely stratifi ed

into discrete communities.

Development of stations also

could create clusters and

give areas a more discernible

identity.

Working in tandem with taxis,

Uber and Lyft, a light rail system

could take a signifi cant number of

cars off the road, reducing energy

use and greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2014, drivers in Las Vegas traveled

about 25 million miles every day on

freeways, according to the Texas

A&M Transportation Institute. Light

rail could reduce that number. As

municipalities and the state rely more

on renewable energy and focus on

sustainability, an operable light rail

system could further cement and

enhance Nevada’s commitment to

a green future. Light rail also could

encourage healthier habits among

residents, such as biking to and from

a rail station.

V I B E H O U S I N GE N V I R O N M E N TQ U A L I T Y O F L I F E

THE SUNDAY33

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23THE IMPACT OF LIGHT RAIL

In downtown Las

Vegas, there is high-end

housing in luxury apartment

buildings, such as the Juhl

and the Ogden, but a dearth

of mid-range housing.

Proponents of a light rail

system say its development

could stimulate the creation

of more affordable housing.

But because rents tend to

rise around light rail lines, it

would require a concerted

effort by city offi cials.

In neighborhoods that

have developed new public

transportation, the vast majority

— 74 percent — saw rising rent,

according to a study from the

Dukakis Center for Urban and

Regional Policy at Northeastern

University. Cities such as

Charlotte, N.C., and Denver

combated potential problems

of pricing out existing residents

by buying land around transit

stations to ensure affordable

housing. In 2015, Los Angeles’

metro agency embarked on a

similar course, evaluating land

around its rail stations that

can be set aside for affordable

housing.

Some of the passengers on your train

car are wearing work uniforms and are

on their way to the job. Some are in casual

clothes, running errands. Their common

denominator: They walked from home to the

station. Welcome to one of the possibilities

of a light rail system — that it could improve

mobility and might prompt residents to

rely less on their cars and instead move to

locations along the line. The result is that

density would increase along rail corridors.

That scenario isn’t inevitable, mind you. A

study of Census data from The Atlantic’s

Citylab showed that in fi ve of six cities that

adopted light rail in the 1980s, the number

of regional workers taking the system

decreased over time and the city’s proportion

of urbanized area did not increase. But that

doesn’t mean light rail wouldn’t help contain

sprawl and boost density in Las Vegas.

The Citylab study said a light rail system

combined with efforts by local stakeholders

to encourage development and boost

ridership could yield results.

In 2013, Las Vegas had 94,000

people arrive at and depart from

McCarran International Airport

every day. By 2035, that number is

expected to rise to 131,000, according to

the Regional Transportation Commission

of Southern Nevada.

By 2035, transportation

offi cials predict 93,010

trips will be made

between the airport

and the resort

corridor on an

averge day. On

a peak day, that

number would rise to

112,000. Only about

0.6 percent of those

travelers would take public transportation

given the current system, RTC offi cials say.

That, coupled with the development of new

properties along the Strip, T-Mobile Arena

and growing entertainment venues such as

Las Vegas Fairgrounds, could make traffi c

unbearable. Getting to and from events

such as CES or a professional boxing match

could become virtually impossible.

Light rail would increase the options.

“It stimulates growth, but what it really

does is create the cultural shift to give

people more options of how they want to

move,” said Tom Skancke, former president

and CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic

Alliance.

Light rail could be most benefi cial

to workers on the Strip, especially

those with multiple shifts. Strip casinos

employ about 100,000.

If workers already live near the corridor,

light rail could cut down on Strip traffi c.

— By Daniel Rothberg

As head of Downtown Project Ventures, Mark

Rowland helps shape and execute the long-

term vision of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s $350 million

investment in downtown Las Vegas, entering its fi fth

year. A large part of that goal is creating a tech hub

downtown. To do that, the Downtown Project needs

to recruit tech talent, which leaders have struggled to

do. With a light rail line that provided service to North

Las Vegas, the site of the new Faraday Future car plant,

Rowland thinks the area could see an infusion of tech

talent.

“That’s going to be a huge jolt for the injection of talent

to Las Vegas,” he said.

Millennials born between 1982 and 2003 tend to be

multimodal, switching between types of transportation

depending on their needs. A light rail system could give

them an additional — and welcome — option.

University students, many of whom don’t own cars,

also could benefi t from light rail, living or socializing in

diverse parts of the valley, without needing a vehicle.

STIMULATING GROWTH AND CULTURE

D E N S I T Y T E C H I E S &M I L L E N N I A L S

W O R K E R S O N T H E S T R I P

the sunday34


Much has changed since then. Now, we attend movies mostly at casinos, the valley’s population has exploded to more than 2 million, and, of course, there are multiple ways to travel across town.

If all goes well, future generations won’t need a car to go to the movies or travel from one part of the valley to the next. A proposed light rail system, similar to those in other major metropo-lises, is in the works and is desperately needed.

Imagine planning an outing on the Strip or downtown without having to worry about traffic. While most people likely still would have a short drive to the rail station, the days of impatiently jockeying with tourist-drivers or battling frustration over freeway traffic would be minimized. Same for the feeling of

constantly navigating through construc-tion zones.

Just like in the early 1980s when transportation officials expanded U.S. Highway 95 to include exits on Flamingo and Tropicana in the east part of town where I was raised, a light rail system would enhance flexibility for residents and offer them a more enjoyable life-style.

When U.S. 95 was under construction, some people opposed the expansion because it forced a block of homes in our development to be torn down. Many of our neighbors feared the sound of cars traveling at high speeds would keep them awake at night. It didn’t.

Sometimes, as we learned, there are small sacrifices to be made in a city’s development.

That freeway made trips across town to Meadows Mall or other staples on the west side part of our lives. It shortened bus rides to high school sporting events. Before the freeway addition, Basic High School in Henderson felt like it was in another state.

Eventually, the Citizen Area Transit bus system launched as the valley’s population continued to spike and merit more services. That gave teenagers the freedom to get to the Strip to visit the Forum Shops or the arcade at Circus Circus. For those without cars, it was a simpler way to get to work.

Light rail is the next step in the progression. It, like past advancements, would take our city to another level. Our home is the best city in the world. It’s time that city had this resource.

a local’s take: transportation in las vegasBy Ray BReweR | Staff writer

t here was nothing better as a kid than watching movies at Red Rock Theater. Not the modern cinema at Red Rock Resort, rather Red Rock Theater, on Charleston Boulevard near Decatur Boulevard, one of the original theaters in Las Vegas and the place where most of us local children begged our parents

to take us in the 1970s and ’80s. ¶ The drive there from my family’s house, north on Boulder Highway to Charleston, then west to Decatur, seemed to take forever. Part of the wait was the anticipation of watching a new film. Most of the wait was the travel. ¶ Getting across town three decades ago involved taking one of four streets: Charleston, Sahara Avenue, Flamingo Road or Tropicana Avenue. No matter where you were going or coming from, you were halfway there when you passed Las Vegas Boulevard. It was a bonus if the ride was at night so you could see the casino lights.

THE SUNDAY35



A look into the future: You just landed in Las Vegas for the latest installment of the global CES technology convention. After deboarding your plane, you skip

the taxi line and passenger pickup and instead make your way to McCarran International Airport’s public transit center, where you buy a ticket for the region’s

light rail line. Minutes later, you’re whizzing through the airport area, toward the bright lights of the Strip. You’ve chosen a window seat so you can take in the

view. ¶ As the train passes Mandalay Bay, the Tropicana and other big resorts , you note how Las Vegas Boulevard has evolved. It’s far more pedestrian-friendly than you

remember. ¶ While at CES over the next few days, you rarely need to take a taxi. Light rail connects your hotel to the convention centers, as well as restaurants and nightly

enterainment. ¶ One night, you venture downtown. You hop on the light rail line, and you’re at Fremont Street before you know it; getting back to your hotel is just as easy.

You notice that downtown and the north Strip also have been built out. The area is bustling, and pedestrians are everywhere. You make a mental note to come back.

— J.D. Morris

TOURISMAND

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY36


The number of annual visitors to Las Vegas passed the

42 million mark for the fi rst time last year, on the heels of

2014’s record-breaking 41.1 million visitors. Hotel room occupancy

on the Strip, meanwhile, was 90 percent through November, up

from the previous year.

How much more volume can the Strip handle before it can’t

move visitors around effectively? What about a local population

of 2.5 million or more? Local tourism and transportation leaders

are having a serious discussion about the need to make major

infrastructure changes to stave off a traffi c armageddon. Light rail

can be the solution.

“It’s really hard to even start a conversation about how you move

people in the numbers we’re talking about without immediately

having a light rail or a mass-transit conversation,” said Tina

Quigley, general manager of the Regional Transportation

Commission. Light rail could move more visitors much faster than

expanded roads could. “At some point, you have as many cars on

a road as you can physically handle,” Applied Analysis principal

analyst Jeremy Aguero said.

Moreover, a light rail line could be an experience for visitors,

providing them a way to take in the sights, much like the High

Roller observation wheel.

Key to making such a project happen, of course, is support from

the resort industry. At a recent meeting with U.S. Transportation

Secretary Anthony Foxx, organized by U.S. Rep. Dina Titus,

D-Nev., numerous resort executives were interested in hearing

more about a light rail project in Charlotte, N.C., where Foxx had

served as mayor. And Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada

Resort Association, has said members understand the Strip’s

congestion problem and are open to solutions.

Convention customers are a key component to

the health of the Las Vegas tourism industry.

They fi ll hotel rooms, gamble, drink, dine, shop and go

to shows during the week, when leisure travelers are

less likely to take a vacation.

Local leaders have made it a priority to keep Las

Vegas at the forefront of attracting convention

business. That’s why the Las Vegas Convention and

Visitors Authority bought the Riviera last year for

$182.5 million, with plans to raze the building and use

it for more convention space. It’s part of an effort both

to accommodate more convention customers and to

prevent other cities from poaching business.

But other convention cities have a selling point that

Las Vegas doesn’t: fast, high-capacity public transit.

Customers who attend a convention in San Francisco,

for example, can travel to and from the airport, their

hotel and the Moscone Center without ever getting

into a car. That can make a big difference.

Proposals for a Las Vegas light rail system are in part

the product of a process fi rst put in motion more

than three years ago by Rossi Ralenkotter, president

of the convention authority. He gathered a group of

tourism industry stakeholders to start a dialogue about

transportation and told them that other places were

bragging about their transit.

“(Ralenkotter) told us that he’s seeing other

destinations start to market themselves as being places

that are easy to get around, places that are easy to get

from your conventions to the attractions,” the RTC’s

Tina Quigley said. “And that is certainly something that

we cannot market ourselves on.”

Ralenkotter said that being able to get to and around

Las Vegas is “critical to the continued success of our

tourism industry.”

Other convention cities

have a selling point that Las Vegas doesn’t:

fast, efficient public transit.

T H E S T R I P C O N V E N T I O N S

THE SUNDAY37

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23THE IMPACT OF A LIGHT RAIL

There’s no doubt about it: The north Strip is in desperate

need of an energy boost. For years, the resort corridor’s

northernmost end — roughly between Sahara Avenue and Wynn

Las Vegas — has been plagued by a lack of development. It’s fi lled

with empty lots and unfi nished projects. Aside from Circus Circus

and SLS Las Vegas, there’s not much action there.

That’s sure to change thanks to a series of planned projects,

namely Resorts World Las Vegas on the Stardust site, Alon Las

Vegas on the New Frontier site and the Las Vegas Convention

Center expansion on the Riviera site. The shuttered Fontainebleau

structure on the north Strip also was put up for sale last year.

A light rail line would build on that development and help

facilitate the fl ow of customers to the area.

County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said light rail

“absolutely” would help commercial development on the north

Strip. Her district includes the area, and she’s a big supporter of

light rail both on the Strip and on Maryland Parkway. “It’s what

transit brings,” Giunchigliani said. “It’s an economic driver.”

A light rail line also could encourage new development and shape

future projects. For instance, as workers would be able to take public

transit and visitors could move around the Strip more quickly, future

developments may need to offer less parking, said Jeremy Aguero

of Applied Analysis.

Cities around the world have more robust public transportation

systems than Las Vegas. Most of the systems connect directly

to the airport, even here in the United States — think BART and San

Francisco International Airport, and Metro and Reagan National

Airport outside Washington, D.C.

If light rail became a reality in Las Vegas, it would give international

tourists — and out-of-town visitors in general — something they’re

used to fi nding at other airports around the world. International

visitors have accounted for about 20 percent of Las Vegas’ tourists in

recent years.

“I think a lot of them are surprised that we don’t have a more

advanced public transit system connecting the airport to the resorts,”

the RTC’s Tina Quigley said. “Certainly, international visitors have a lot

of comfort and experience in using light rail systems.”

— J.D. Morris

McCarran International Airport historically

has been able to accommodate a growing

number of passengers. The dilemma is

not so much about how many people can use the

airport; it’s about what their journey is like once

they step off the plane.

Airport offi cials are expected to report soon

that they handled more than 45 million fl iers in

2015, the most in years. And while the facility

is well-positioned to handle even more

people in the future, community leaders

thinking about future growth run into

the same concern as resort executives: How large

can the annual passenger load grow before fl iers

encounter trouble getting to their hotel rooms?

McCarran spokesman Chris Jones said the

airport recognizes the need for a solution to

prevent overwhelming traffi c in the future.

“If it gets to the point that you can’t get from

the airport to your hotel and your hotel to the

airport, then the business starts to constrain

itself,” Jones said.

SOLVING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

N O R T H S T R I P I N T E R N A T I O N A LV I S I T O R S

A light rail system

stands to boost

values throughout the

community. Studies show

that a rail line generally

leads to higher property

values and rent. How

much of an increase

depends on a number

of factors, including the

frequency of the transit

service.

And while some research

indicates that property

values dip before lines

become operational,

there’s ample evidence

pointing to an overall

benefi t. A recent study

of single-family homes in

Charlotte, N.C., from 1997

to 2008, for example,

found that after a

period of mixed effects

during construction

periods, values rose after

completion.

And while there have

been concerns that

gentrifi cation related to

higher property values

can displace residents,

proponents of light rail

say it can help improve

substandard housing and

lead to beautifi cation

if routed through

underdeveloped areas.

Construction jobs

morph into permanent

retail jobs. Rail stations

transform into commercial

hubs. These are some of the

effects proponents say take

place with light rail.

In Southern Nevada,

that could mean more

development in areas such

as downtown and North

Las Vegas. Other cities have

seen light rail stimulate

business development in

underserved areas. With it

comes jobs.

Take Minneapolis. The

city was able to spark

development with its Green

Line corridor while avoiding

gentrifi cation because the

city and state governments

helped support development

of affordable housing.

In Minneapolis, small businesses

started cropping up along the

light rail line . A $30 million brewery

opened in part because it found a

location close to the rail line and close

to a bike trail. A facility for seniors

expanded and hired 100 workers

because demand increased.

Similar changes could take place in Las

Vegas. Light rail proponents argue that

Las Vegas already loses commerce

because of a lack of mobility. “It’s

costing us billions by not having light

rail,” said Tom Skancke, former head of

the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance.

Skancke recalled a recruiting

dinner at New York-New York with

businesspeople from Europe. After

45 minutes pitching them on why

Las Vegas would be a great city for

their company, the executives started

complaining about the lack of public

transportation connecting McCarran

International Airport.

“Why should I move my company here

when my employees in Vienna don’t

have cars?” a representative asked,

according to Skancke.

It’s a question that could be answered

if the city had light rail, Skancke said.

As has been the case in other cities,

light rail also likely would attract small

businesses, especially if the stations

encouraged the development of

housing or shopping.

“Anywhere that creates traffi c,

businesses spring up,” said Len

Krick, a business broker in Las Vegas.

“That’s fact.”

Even in highly developed

public transit systems — in

New York or Washington, D.C., for

example — trains do not always

deliver their riders to the exact

point they need to be. Sometimes,

the commuters need to go farther.

That’s where ride-hailing companies

such as Uber and Lyft play a role.

Both companies already operate

in several markets with public

transportation, including in cities

with light-rail systems. Lyft, for

instance, operates in Los Angeles,

San Francisco, Portland, Boston

and Dallas, where the startup has a

partnership with the area’s public

transit agency. Riders of Dallas

Area Rapid Transit can access

Lyft through a mobile ticketing

application and receive $5 off their

fi rst 10 Lyft rides.

“If we’re going to stay relevant as

a transportation provider, we have

to offer options so they can make

a complete trip, whether it’s for

work or fun,” DART director Gary

Thomas said. “Lyft is a great way

to help them begin or end their trip

if they’re not right next to a DART

stop or station.”

Lyft offi cials say 33 percent of rides

in Boston originate or end near a

public transit station. The rate is

about 25 percent in Chicago and

20 percent in San Francisco. Given

Las Vegas’ sprawl, it’s likely there

would be a similar impact here.

— Daniel Rothberg

THE SUNDAY38


A look into the future of businessLight rail stations around the valley have become hubs for retail shops and restaurants. Small businesses have moved into the area surrounding the stations. The value of real estate has risen.

C O M M E R C I A LD E V E L O P M E N T

S M A L LB U S I N E S S

R E A LE S T A T E R I D E - S H A R I N G

the sunday40


Light rail also would create more of a traditional downtown feel for North Las Vegas with more vertical, mixed-use de-velopment including housing and com-mercial, said UNLV civil engineering professor Hualiang Teng.

“Their city hall is right there on Las Vegas Boulevard,” Teng said. “They could naturally build a downtown, and that could connect in the future, if they are planning their industries, to the north.”

The Regional Transportation Com-mission’s current proposal for light rail doesn’t include a route to North Las Ve-gas. It proposes a line stretching from the airport to downtown Las Vegas with an extension to Cashman Center, putting light rail very close to but not quite inside North Las Vegas city limits.

In the mid-2000s, the RTC put forward a 35-mile light rail plan, which would have spanned from Nevada State College in Henderson, up the Strip and up North Fifth Street in North Las Vegas. In an al-ternatives analysis of the plan, the RTC identified three other options for where

light rail could run in North Las Vegas — a line north on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, northeast following the exist-ing Union Pacific Railroad right of way, or northeast following Las Vegas Boulevard North.

With so many options on the table, light rail’s benefits for North Las Vegas are all about which route is chosen, said Assistant City Manager Ryann Juden.

“Obviously light rail’s impact on North Las Vegas would depend on where it stops and starts,” he said.

So where should the system go? The city has been making a strong

push over the past few months to spur development. Bills passed during a spe-cial session of the Nevada Legislature in December provide the financial means to make infrastructure improvements at Apex — in the short term, to allow elec-tric car startup Faraday Future to open its factory and, in the long term, to pave the path for further industrial growth.

A light rail system connecting Apex with the rest of the valley could add ap-

peal to the site and catalyze further de-velopment. But Apex has long faced the chicken-and-egg problem: “You don’t build a train to nowhere,” Juden said.

Light rail all the way to Apex would be costly. Lang said light rail “belongs in the valley,” and that workers at Apex may still need cars to commute to their jobs. “We don’t need commuter rail,” Lang said. “Apex is always going to be auto de-pendent.”

Indeed, many North Las Vegas resi-dents probably would have to drive their cars to a park-and-ride lot and then hop on light rail to utilize the system, though some housing likely would spring up around stations on the light rail’s route.

If light rail to Apex did happen, it likely would be as a future phase of the project after a core section is built — a line to Apex, a line to Summerlin and a line to Henderson, Teng said.

“It’s very difficult for people to give up the auto,” Teng said. “But my personal feeling is as long as you provide a system that is reliable, people will follow.”

The impacT on norTh las vegasBy Megan Messerly | Staff writer

n orth Las Vegas could become the “breadbasket” of the valley, the city’s mayor has said. ¶ The city took a step toward that future in 2015 when Faraday Future announced plans to build a $1 billion auto manufacturing plant in North Las Vegas’ 18,000-acre Apex Industrial Park,

opening the door for further development of the park and broader economic diversification for the entire community. ¶ Would light rail help the city shed its status as a bedroom community and become an economic driver for the entire valley? ¶ At the least, light rail running to North Las Vegas City Hall on Las Vegas Boulevard is likely to spur economic development in that area, said Rob Lang, executive director of Brookings Mountain West, a nonprofit think tank. Rail would cut mainly through commercial zones, like strip malls, instead of residential areas, making it less likely to displace existing residents.

THE SUNDAY41



DOWNTOWNAND SPORTS

A look into the future: It’s 7 p.m. on the Strip. You and a few co-workers are standing on the sidewalk staring at your

phones. You’re all in town a few days for a convention, and now that you have some time off, you decide to explore the city. ¶ As you scroll through reviews of bars and restaurants, you fi nd one

downtown that catches your eye. It’s got a good happy hour, and it looks like you can catch the tail end of it if you leave right away. ¶ Your

co-worker suggests taking a bus, while another mentions Uber. Then you realize Las Vegas has a light rail line that runs right into the heart

of downtown. You walk to the nearest station and, a couple minutes later, a train arrives and whisks you away. After another few minutes, you arrive at Fremont Street and step out under its glittering canopy.

— Ian Whitaker

THE SUNDAY42


Downtown is relatively easy to get around by car,

but for a pedestrian, it may as well be two islands

separated by a vast ocean . A Union Pacifi c railroad line

separates the Smith Center for the Performing Arts and other

tenants at Symphony Park from Fremont Street. If you want

to walk from Binion’s to the Smith Center, for instance, you

must walk almost fi ve blocks to Clark Avenue, which has the

only pedestrian bridge to Symphony Park.

“There are a lot of good downtown restaurants, and many of

them base their staffi ng levels on whether or not the Smith

Center has a show,” said Myron Martin, president of the Smith

Center. “But people have to drive there, park, drive to the

Smith Center and park again.”

Along with its light rail plan, Regional Transportation

Commission offi cials plan to build three pedestrian bridges

over the railroad. And while the RTC’s light rail proposal

wouldn’t help get locals to the Smith Center straight off the

bat, transportation offi cials say light rail could be relatively

easy to expand into residential neighborhoods in the future.

“If we can start with what they’re proposing, it can be built

upon and expanded,” Martin said. “It’s one of the last items that

we as a community need to check off to make this a great city.”

Light rail long has been a goal of city offi cials, who see

it as a way to connect tourism attractions with existing

and proposed economic centers, such as UNLV and the

proposed medical district on Charleston Boulevard. To do

that, the RTC also is proposing a light rail line down Maryland

Parkway, to run from McCarran International Airport to

downtown, to link UNLV students and medical professionals

moving between the university, Sunrise Hospital and

University Medical Center.

Offi cials hope developers will see improved transit as a

sign the city is on the rise. Empty lots downtown could be

replaced by high-density apartments and retail, drawing

more people into living in the neighborhood and making it a

more attractive place to visit.

“It’s not just important for transit, it’s important

for development,” said Bill Arent, director of urban

redevelopment for the city of Las Vegas. “You start to see a

lot more interest for urban residential and retail, which are

two big focuses that we have right now.”

Along with its light rail plan,

Regional Transportation Commission officials plan to build three pedestrian

bridges over the railroad.

S M I T H C E N T E R & S Y M P H O N Y P A R K

C I T Y O FL A S V E G A S

THE SUNDAY43

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23THE IMPACT OF LIGHT RAIL

While the economics of downtown are dwarfed by the Strip,

the neighborhood still rakes in about $977 million in gaming,

food and drink sales a year. The number of visitors there continues

to rise, and proponents say a light rail line would only increase that.

“We have very strong ridership on our buses today,” said David

Swallow, director of engineering services at the Regional

Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. “Try to imagine how

much quicker that service could be, how much more capacity we

would have to move people with light rail.”

The main hub of a light rail line downtown would be the Bonneville

Transit Hub, which combined with the RTC’s plan for a circulator,

would be able to move people to locations all throughout the

neighborhood. Visitors could hop on the light rail line, get off and

immediately board a circulator trolley, a small streetcar that would

connect to major attractions downtown. The proposed line has the

streetcar stopping by the Arts District, Smith Center and Fremont

Street, down to Maryland Parkway, which includes trendy bars and

restaurants away from the main tourist attractions.

“Light rail would really be a game changer,” said Bill Arent, director

of urban redevelopment for the city of Las Vegas. “It gives certainty

to developers that there’s going to be high speed rapid transit in the

corridor for a long period of time.”

RTC and city offi cials say a light rail will make

downtown a more navigable area. While it’s easy

to navigate places such as Fremont Street, it’s not easy

to get from Fremont Street to the Arts District, which

has a thriving scene of galleries, bars and restaurants.

The district is a mile away from downtown casinos, and if

visitors want to get there, they either must ride a bus or

walk past dingy homes and empty lots.

“We want to create an environment where people feel

comfortable walking around,” Swallow said. “As you have

more activity on the street, it feels more vibrant and

people feel more comfortable.”

— Ian Whitaker

BY SCOTT LUCAS | STAFF WRITER

The middle-aged woman squints at the two college students standing next to her. It’s the day of the LGBT pride march in

San Francisco, and we are packed together hur-tling west toward the city. The two young women wear plastic beads and rainbow-striped socks, party wear for the parade.

The train lurches, and the women bump into each other. They pass wary glares.

“Do you know what the march is about?” the older woman asks the younger ones. They shake their heads no.

“Stonewall? Harvey Milk?” No. No. The older woman pauses then smiles. “Well, let

me tell you,” she says, jumping into an impromptu seminar on the history of gay rights. Her lesson is informative, it’s personal, and it never would have happened if we were driving cars.

Mass transit is a funny thing. When driving, bumping into someone means a crash. On a train, it means a conversation.

I should know. Until moving to Las Vegas last year, I never owned a car for more than a few months, instead getting around by train, bus and Uber.

Light rail isn’t perfect. It doesn’t always func-tion smoothly. There can be delays, crowding, transit strikes. For the most part, though, to ride the train is to encounter the ordinary transcen-dence of everyday life.

Light rail is like a combination coffee shop,

sports stadium and Tinder app that also gets you to work on time. You can throw spare change to a punk rocker singing Johnny Cash or violinists playing hooky from the symphony, awkwardly dodge a person you broke up with six months ago, debug code on your laptop, furtively work up a buzz from mini bottles of booze, watch excited kids swing from the handholds on the way to a baseball game, gaze on old couples holding hands, spy future couples meeting, eavesdrop on impor-tant phone calls while pretending to take a nap or take a nap for real.

You’re also likely to miss the train, miss your stop, be jostled, get bumped. But so what? Most of the time, people are awesome, and it is nice to be with them.

Even more than change how people commute, a mass transit system in the valley would transform how people interact with one another. There’s no better chance to meet neighbors — or perfect strangers.

I’ll be there. Say hi if you see me..

GROWING UP WITH MASS TRANSIT

F R E M O N TS T R E E T

T H E A R T SD I S T R I C T

the sunday44


IllustratIon by chrIs morrIs

The first generation of light rail cars was made by Boeing, but they were

plagued by problems and most were retired by the 1990s. Today, one of the leading streetcar manufacturers is

Italian firm Breda.

THE SUNDAY45

JAN. 17 - JAN. 23IMPACT OF LIGHT RAIL

A look into the future of sportsHockey fans dressed in black and gold chant, “Let’s go, Black Knights, Let’s go, Black Knights,” as the light rail car they’re packed into races toward the Strip. Crowds of tourists and locals fi le out of the transit station and make the short walk to the T-Mobile Arena for a night of National Hockey League action. There are families catching their fi rst game of the season, community groups celebrating with an outing and tourists who decided last-minute to take in a game. Street vendors line the sidewalks selling nonlicensed merchandise, and ticket scalpers are out in full force. The game doesn’t start until 7 p.m., but the party already has begun. Fans passionate about cheering on the home team strike up conversations about the night’s matchup. They complain about the coaching, argue about the lineup and remain optimistic for a win. All make it to and from the arena quickly and safely.

In Chicago, the Red

Line train leaves Cubs

fans within steps of Wrigley

Field. In Washington, D.C.,

the Metrorail stops a block

away from Nationals Park.

The rail systems offer more

than just an organized way to

bring people to the stadiums.

The trains are part of the fan

experience. Game-day hype

starts in the transit cars.

With the upcoming opening

of the T-Mobile Arena behind

New York-New York, and other

future arena projects at UNLV

or Symphony Park a distinct

possibility, Las Vegas’ best bet

for moving fans to and from

events — including UFC fi ghts,

hockey games and concerts —

is light rail.

Fans in other cities already

are intimately familiar with

commuting on game day. It’s

part of their DNA. And it easily

can be a part of ours, too.

Las Vegas is on the

verge of landing an NHL

expansion team, the city’s

fi rst major league franchise.

The team would play at the

privately funded, $375 million

T-Mobile Arena on the Strip.

The general consensus from

locals is excitement — with one

concern. How will fans navigate

arena traffi c on game nights?

And where will they park?

Light rail is a necessity for

hockey — or any professional

sport — to survive here. It would

give Las Vegans a painless

way to get to and from the

arena. Without it, it’s virtually

impossible to bring 18,000

people in during rush hour — or

any other hour, for that matter.

Most major sports franchises

encourage fans to use public

transportation, posting travel

pointers and information about

which exits to take online. They

understand the simple formula:

If you are stuck in traffi c, you

don’t enjoy the game-day

experience. And if you don’t

enjoy the experience, you

won’t come back.

There’s no easy way to

get to the Las Vegas

Motor Speedway on NASCAR

Sundays. Either you wait in

traffi c on Interstate 15 or Las

Vegas Boulevard, or pay to

park an RV at the speedway

overnight to avoid race-day

traffi c altogether.

Now imagine taking light rail

and disembarking hassle-

free a few miles from the

speedway, then hopping into

a shuttle bus, taxi or Lyft car

to complete your journey. It’s

an organized, safe and cost-

effective solution.

Las Vegas needs to take a

page from the playbook of

the Auto Club Speedway

in Fontana, Calif., near Los

Angeles. The track encourages

fans to use the city’s Metrolink

to travel to the track, and

the ride is free on race days.

Thousands of fans use the

system.

The National Finals Rodeo

at the Thomas & Mack

Center sells out most nights,

bringing 100,000 people to Las

Vegas and pumping millions into

the economy. But getting those

people from the Strip, where

they typically stay and spend

their money, a few miles east

on Tropicana Avenue to UNLV

is easier said than done. Rodeo

traffi c going in and out of the

arena can test anyone’s patience.

With a rail system, fans wouldn’t

need cars. They simply could

leave their hotel rooms, hop on

a train and enjoy the ride to the

arena. Without having to worry

about drinking and driving, and

with extra time saved by avoiding

traffi c, the cowboys could throw

back a few extra drinks, stop in a

restaurant or take in a show.

Light rail also would ease

congestion for fans heading to

UNLV basketball games. A scenic

ride in a train car would be far

more cost-effective and relaxing

than battling traffi c on the I-15

for a 7 p.m. Rebel start.

— Ray Brewer

(AND THE LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY)

L A S V E G A SA R E N A H O C K E Y T H E R O D E OR A C I N G

o p i n i o n

we need thisw e have never been shy about envisioning and building our future; the time is now to launch a light rail

system befitting Las Vegas. ¶ One of the great things about the valley, the youngest among America’s big metropolitan areas, is that it has never stopped trying to be the best it can. ¶ If a casino no longer

could hold its own along the increasingly competitive Strip, it would be demolished and a better one would be built in its place — bigger, sexier and more productive. When downtown’s Fremont Street lost its luster, it was reinvented as a pedestrian promenade covered by a huge, digitized canopy. ¶ To bring even more people to town to do business, and recognizing that conventiongoers are a huge segment of our tourism market, meeting and exhibition facilities were expanded, securing our title as the most accommodating convention city in the country. When gambling was losing favor among younger visitors, casino bosses gave up gambling space in favor of night clubs, ultra lounges and other swanky spaces where a new generation of Vegas visitors could hang out, and fine dining, shopping and entertainment reached new heights of sophistication.

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To give UNLV greater credibility, the re-gion lobbied hard for the Legislature to fund a medical school to help address our shortage of physicians. When McCarran International Airport — the seventh-busiest in the country in terms of takeoffs and landings — got crowded, a new terminal was added. Because of concerns that Las Vegas lacked a dedicated venue for fine arts, philanthropists funded the construction of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Space for outdoor music festivals was identified and, to accommodate more concerts and sports, MGM Resorts International built an arena.

Las Vegas always has moved forward in ways that improved the quality of life for residents and burnished our attractiveness to visitors.

And now it’s time to tackle a problem that long has irritated us and for which there seems to be a virtually painless solution. We’re talking about how to relieve traffic congestion along the Strip with a street-level light rail system. It would do more than just be a carrier of people; it would itself become part of the Strip experience. For a nominal fare, or possibly even for free, passengers could get on and off and back on the next set of cars, be comfortably seated, camera in hand, while soaking in the Strip’s signature sights without worrying about rear-ending a car or dodging a vehicle changing lanes.

This light rail system would take visitors deplaning at McCarran to their hotels, move

visitors from one resort to another (tourists on average visit six resorts during their stay) and allow locals to park their cars at large lots near Town Square and hop aboard the train to have a day or evening of fun. They wouldn’t have to worry, for instance, about where to park if going to an event at the T-Mobile Arena. And, of course, the transit system could be used to get to work.

This system would take riders not just to the downtown area, with connections to the Arts District and the Smith Center, but would extend to Cashman Center and, ideally, to North Las Vegas. It would connect entertain-ment districts, encourage visitors to explore more of the city and broadly expand the number of customers who visit stores and restaurants along Las Vegas Boulevard.

Paying for the system could be accom-plished in various ways, including tapping room tax revenue and proceeds from the sale of surplus federal BLM land. In any event, a goal is for locals to feel little if any financial impact.

There is little doubt that such a system would be accepted wildly by visitors and locals alike. Cities across the United States that have built light rail transit systems say their ridership estimates were reached much sooner than expected, and businesses along the route say they became busier than ever with customers who previously hadn’t ven-tured onto their block.

If we don’t move forward and improve our

transportation system, we risk becoming a victim of our own success, with families and entire conventions grousing about our in-creasing congestion and lack of modern, ur-ban transit, the kind seen in Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and the list goes on. It’s time for us to get on board as well.

Indeed, the Regional Transportation Commission has begun the dialog for light rail transit, and we support its goals. This is the time to embrace that plan — and to boldly build upon it. We are at the start of an idea that needs to be adopted and emboldened to reach rich payoffs at the end. With creative funding will come tantalizing results: A light rail system more experiential, fulfilling and rider-friendly than any in the nation.

No, we’ve never stopped trying to be the best we can. We’re not a city that loses momentum by stopping to reflect on all that we’ve done; we look ahead at what still needs to be done. That opportunity now is staring us in the face. It’s the right time, for the right reasons, with the right ways to pay for it, for us to not just embrace the proposal by the Regional Transportation Commission but to enrich it. There is too much at stake for us to hesitate and question.

Las Vegas has never disappointed. We are a community built on keen vision and expert execution. We can and we must develop a light rail system, not just to remain the great city we are but to build on that success — for our visitors, our businesses and ourselves.

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sunday, January 17

Dr. King Peace Week Celebra-tion: Celebrate the life, legacy and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. Events include a performance by the Trinity Dance Academy. 2 p.m., free, Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J. St., 702-229-6125.

Distracted Driving and Accident Prevention Community Safety Forum: Metro Police officers will discuss distracted driving and how crashes can be prevented. People who attend the safety forum will receive free admission to the Mob Museum after the program. 2-3 p.m., free, Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., themobmuseum.org.

Tuesday, January 19

Ward 2 Walkers: Join Las Vegas Councilman Bob Beers for exercise and conversation. 8 a.m., free, Hualapai Trailhead Park, just north of Alta Drive on Hualapai Way, 702-229-2144. *Also: Every Tuesday and Thursday

Cleveland Museum of Art series: Compare Japanese and Western works during a videoconferencing session. 11 a.m.-noon, free, Cleve-land Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave., 702-483-6055.

Whitey Bulger and the Boston Mob: Author Phyllis Karas will discuss her encounters with Whitey Bulger’s former right-hand man, Kevin Weeks, and other Winter Hill Gang members, and update the status of Boston’s organized crime scene today. 7 p.m., free, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702-507-3458.

Wednesday, January 20

Senior Safety: Learn how to increase your situational awareness and how to avoid confrontation. Advance registration required. 9 a.m., free with Las Vegas Active Adult/Senior Programs member-ship, Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-229-1702.

Being Prepared to Enroll in a Research Study: Learn how to prepare for enrollment in a research study, including how research differs from clinical treatment, the consent process and participants’

role in the research process. Noon-1 p.m., free, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave., 702-483-6055.

Thursday, January 21

Self-defense workshop: Learn the basics of self-defense. For ages 50 and older. 12:30 p.m., free, Derfelt Senior Center in Lorenzi Park, 3343 W. Washington Ave., 702-229-6601.

Neighborhood health series: Learn the “ABC’s of Medicare,” including information about supplemental health insurance and prescription Part D drug plans. 4:30-6 p.m., free, Roseman Univer-sity of Health Sciences, 11 Sunset Way, 702-802-2872. *Also: Every third Thursday of the month

“Latino Americans” screening: Watch the award-winning PBS documentary, then take part in a scholarly discussion about Latino American settlement and history with UNLV adjunct art history instructor Emmanuel Ortega Rodriguez. 5-7:30 p.m., free, UNLV, Barrick Museum, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, nlvld.org.

Neighborhood crime meeting: Assemblywoman Victoria Seaman and Las Vegas City Councilmen Stavros Anthony and Bob Beers will discuss neighborhood crime problems and prevention. Repre-sentatives from the state Attorney General’s office and Metro Police also are expected to attend. 6-7 p.m., free, Durango Hills YMCA,

3521 N. Durango Drive, victoriasea-man.com.

An Evening with Kim MacQuar-rie: Adventures in South America: Explorer and author Kim MacQuar-rie will discuss his travels, his adventures with preserved Inca mummies and Amazonian tribes, and the exploits of Che Guevara, Pablo Escobar and others. A book signing and reception will follow. 7 p.m., free, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702-507-3459.

Sammy’s Social Club: Enjoy a four-course meal and cocktails. 7 p.m., $50, Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar Green Valley, 1501 N. Green Valley Parkway, 702-564-7007.

“Shen Yun”: More than 20 Chinese stories will be told through music and dance, with performanc-es by 60 dancers and a 40-piece orchestra. 7:30 p.m., $60-$300, Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., shenyun.com. *Also: 8 p.m. Jan. 22; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23; 1 p.m. Jan. 24

Friday, January 22

Tree care: Best practices seminar: Learn best practices for tree care in an urban environ-ment. Registration required. 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $25 in advance, $30 at the door, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road, 702-257-5536. *Also: The seminar will be conduct-ed in Spanish on Jan. 29.

the sunday48

WE WANT To hEAR FRoM You Send your feedback to [email protected]. 17 - Jan. 23

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A hot air balloon festival will launch Saturday from the Casablanca resort in Mesquite. (Steve MarCuS/Staff file)

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Dried fig for garnish

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An Evening of Russian Folk Music, Dance and Stories: Moscow Nights, a three-musician ensemble, will perform with the Golden Gates. 7 p.m., free, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702-507-3459.

Chili cook-off luncheon: Make a batch of chili for 8 to 10 people to enter the chili cook-off. Lunch includes salad, drinks, dessert and chili. For ages 50 and older. 11:30 a.m., free for cook-off entrants, $6 for lunch, Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave., 702-229-1600.

Couples in the Kitchen workshop: Learn how to prepare a four-course meal, including Spanish tapas, French salads, Italian risottos and Portuguese desserts. Registration required. 6:30-9:30 p.m, $160.20 per couple for Springs Preserve mem-bers, $178 per couple for nonmem-bers, Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., springspreserve.org.

Saturday, January 23

Hot Air Balloon Festival: Brilliant displays of colored hot air balloons will fill the Mesquite skies. Get an up-close view of the balloons and talk with the pilots. 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m., free, Casablanca, 950 W. Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite, casablancaresort.com. *Also: Jan.24

Garden series class: Receive

hands-on experience assessing, visualizing, designing, planting, caring for and maintaining a garden in this eight-week course. 8-11 a.m., $300 for the series or $37.50 for a single class, Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., springspreserve.org. *Also: Every Saturday through March 12

Healthy cooking workshop: Learn from a chef, athlete and physiologist how to use nutrition fundamentals to turn classic dishes into healthy meals. Demonstrations and tastings include French toast, candied nuts, parfait, roasted vegetables, grains, stocks and cookies. Reservations required. 9-11 a.m., $35.10 for Springs Preserve members, $39 for non-members, Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., springspreserve.org.

Star Wars Day at the Museum: Learn about Star Wars mythology, make alien masks and duel with lightsabers. Visitors are encouraged to dress as their favorite Star Wars character. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $14.50 (general admission to the museum), Discovery Children’s Museum, 360 Promenade Place, discoverkidslv.org.

The Sound Collage: Four per-formers bring a unique sound to classic and modern songs using only their voices. 4 p.m., free, Windmill Library, 7060 W. Windmill Lane, 702-507-6036.

the sunday49

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We Want to hear from you Send your news information to [email protected] life jan. 17 - jan. 23

LOOKING FOR A NEW BEST FRIEND?The Animal Foundation and the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are shelters dedicated to finding homes for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles and more. Each week, we feature a selection of animals available for adoption.

LuluAge: 4-year-old spayed femaleBreed: Agouti bunnyDescription: Lulu’s physical and emotional recovery has been re-markable. Found in poor, neglected condition, she has since thrived with loving care and fresh daily salads.Adoption fee: $25

LeonardAge: 1-year-old neutered maleBreed: Tuxedo shorthair, declawed by previous ownerDescription: Leonard kisses your wrist and hand as you pet him. He adores kind people and gets along well with cats. Adoption fee: $20

Scottie (a876667) Age: 1-year-old neutered maleBreed: ChihuahuaDescription: Little Scottie has a big personality. Pick him up, and he will give you lots of doggy kisses.Adoption fee: $155

PatrickAge: 3-year-old neutered maleBreed: Shorthair tabbyDescription: Patrick is happiest rest-ing on your lap. He likes gentle cats and dogs, and has adjusted well to life with one eye.Adoption fee: $40

freedom (a877311) Age: 10-year-old neutered maleBreed: Domestic shorthairDescription: Freedom is smart and laid-back. He loves to relax, and hopes he’ll have someone to curl up with soon.Adoption fee: $25

roverAge: 5-year-old neutered maleBreed: Heinz 57Description: Rover delights in crawl-ing into your lap. A kind touch and nice words are important to him because he is mostly blind. He loves people, cats and dogs.Adoption fee: $40

macy (a876131) Age: 3-year-old spayed femaleBreed: Pit bull terrierDescription: Macy is friendly and loves playtime and belly rubs. She needs some training but will be happy to learn.Adoption fee: $25

ozzyAge: 6-year-old neutered maleBreed: ChihuahuaDescription: Ozzy relishes playing fetch and understands the phrase “Go get your toy!” He is house-trained and good with other dogs.Adoption fee: $40

Luna (a877933) Age: 7-year-old spayed femaleBreed: Domestic mediumhairDescription: Luna may play hard to get at first, but once she warms up, she is friendly and affectionate.Adoption fee: $25

angusAge: 10-year-old neutered maleBreed: Heinz 57 with Dutch shep-herd and retrieverDescription: Tell Angus it’s time to go for a walk, and he beams with enthusiasm. He loves leaning on you when he sits at your side. Adoption fee: $30

Spotty (a876690) Age: 3-year-old neutered maleBreed: ChihuahuaDescription: Spotty is outgoing and social, and he loves to play with toys and curl up in a soft blanket.Adoption fee: $155

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Animals are assigned a color next to their names indicating location: 655 N. Mojave Road, Las Vegas 286 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson

nevada SPCa4800 W. Dewey Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89118

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Big Boy (a877322) Age: 6-year-old neutered maleBreed: Domestic shorthairDescription: Big Boy is outgoing and has plenty of energy and spunk.Adoption fee: $25

SLSDouble Your Luck drawings

Date: Saturdays and SundaysTime: 7 p.m.Information: Fifteen names will be selected at each drawing. Earn 50 slot points, 100 video poker points or have an average bet of $5 for 30 minutes on a table game to earn one drawing entry. The top prize is $5,000. Players can earn double their entries every Monday and Tuesday.

$25,000 Ring in the New Year slot tournamentDate: FridaysTime: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.Information: Loyalty card members can win up to $2,000 in free play. Play all five Fridays for entry into a bonus tournament Feb. 4, with a grand prize of $2,500 in free play.

Point multipliersDate: Jan. 18 and 28Information: Earn 3x points on video poker and 10x points on slot machines.

Gift giveawayDate: ThursdayInformation: Mail recipients and play-ers who earn 250 slot points or 500 video poker points can receive a gift.

PALMS $50,000 Lucky 7 drawings

Date: Fridays and SaturdaysTime: 7:15 p.m.Information: Earn 2x entries 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Ten win-ners will be selected each week, with a maximum prize of $3,000.

Play for Prizes-Warehouse BlitzDate: Jan. 18-29Information: Redeem points for McDonald’s or Costco gift cards.

Gift daysDate: Saturdays and SundaysInformation: Earn 100 base points on video slots or 500 base points on video poker. Swipe your card at any promotional kiosk. Jan. 17 – milk bottles; Jan. 23 – mason jars; Jan. 24 – flatware set; Jan. 30 – floor mat; Jan. 31 – flashlight set.

Point multiplierDate: Jan. 20Information: Swipe your loyalty card at a kiosk and receive a multiplier of up to 15x points.

HARD ROCK HOTELNew Year’s resolution

fitness giveawayDate: Mondays

Information: Earn 250 base slot points or a $25 table theoretical and receive fitness equipment. Different gifts will be available each week.

Palooza point multiplierDate: TuesdaysInformation: Receive 10x points on slots and 5x points on video poker

Carnival of Cruises giveawayDate: Jan. 29Information: Sixteen people will win a 14-day cruise for two to the Caribbean, Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada or Europe. Receive 10 entries for signing up for a loyalty card. Receive one entry for 200 base slot points or a $10 table theoretical. Swipe your loyalty card at a kiosk for additional entries. Receive 10x entries on Jan. 22.

SILVERTONSenior Mondays

Date: MondaysTime: Drawings at 4 p.m.Information: Random names will be drawn for a chance to win cash and free play. Players 50 and older will receive dining discounts.

January drawingDate: Jan. 30Times: 7 and 9 p.m.Information: Ten winners will win up to $5,000 at the 7 p.m. drawing and up to $2,500 at the 9 p.m. drawing. Earn 200 points to participate. Earn 10x entries on Saturdays.

Earn & Win jacketsDate: Sundays-TuesdaysTime: 2 a.m.-11:30 p.m.Information: Earn 2,500 points to receive a double-layer jacket.

Earn & Win faux mink blanket Date: Jan. 20 and 27Time: 2 a.m.-11:30 p.m.Information: Earn 1,000 points to receive a blanket.

Mystery multiplierDate: TuesdayInformation: Swipe your loyalty card at a kiosk to receive up to 10x points on slot machines.

Lucky 8 Ball kiosk gameDate: Fridays and SaturdaysTime: 2 a.m.-11:30 p.m.Information: Earn 300 points to play. Win up to $1,000.

STATION CASINOSPharaoh’s Billion-Point Pyramid

Date: Fridays, Saturdays and SundaysInformation: Play the kiosk game each weekend. Pick a tile on the pyramid for

guaranteed points and for the chance to find a pharaoh and move up the pyramid. Players who make their way to the top of the pyramid win 1 million points. Guests must earn 5 points to play the kiosk game.

Room of Riches cash drawingsDate: Through Jan. 31Time: Drawings at 6:15 p.m.Information: Players can earn 10 free drawing entries every day for a chance to participate in the Jan. 31 drawings. Win up to $10,000. Earn 5x entries on Wednesdays. Each property will have 10 drawing winners. The top two slot and the top two video poker base-point earners from each property through Jan. 30 will win an additional spot in the drawing.

Gift dayDate: Jan. 18Time: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.Information: Earn 500 base points to receive a fleece jacket.

GREEN VALLEY RANCH$90,000 Jump Into a Jeep giveaway

Date: ThursdaysTime: 6:15 p.m.Information: Win a 2016 Jeep Ren-egade every Thursday. Earn 2x entries on Mondays and Tuesdays.

SANTA FE STATION$90,000 Key to Luxury car give-

awayDate: Fridays and SaturdaysTime: 8:15 p.m.Information: Win up to $1,000 or a key for the Lexus car giveaway. The grand-prize drawing will be Jan. 30. Earn 5x entries from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The top two slot and top two video poker base point earners, as well table games players with the top two scores, also will qualify for a spot in the giveaway.

Point multiplierDate: ThursdaysInformation: Earn 10x points on slots and 6x points on video poker.

BOULDER AND TExAS STATIONS

Point multiplierDate: MondayInformation: Earn 10x points on slots and 6x points on video poker.

DOWNTOWN GRANDGrand Seniors

Date: TuesdaysInformation: For players 60 and older. Receive 6x points from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monthly 60,000 point drawing.

Smith Center SundaysDate: JanuaryInformation: Earn 500 points play-ing slots and receive two tickets to a performance in January at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

Mystery Free Play MondaysDate: JanuaryInformation: Earn five points to partici-pate; win up to $500 in slot play.

Midweek point multipliersDate: Tuesdays through ThursdaysInformation: Receive up to 5x points.

$10,000 gift card giveawayDate: Fridays and SaturdaysTime: 7 a.m.-noonInformation: Guests can win $100 gift cards. One grand prize winner will win a $500 gift card at midnight. Must be present to win. Earn one entry in the hourly drawing for every 25 base points earned.

EL CORTEZFree Play Frenzy

Date: JanuaryInformation: Loyalty card players who win a $200 or higher jackpot on a slot machine, 5-cent or lower video poker machine or live keno will receive free play. Players who win a $300 or more jackpot on a 10-cent or higher video poker machine will receive free play.

Saturday Point FeverDate: JanuaryInformation: Ten Club Cortez mem-bers will be selected randomly for a chance to win 100,000 points. Players will receive one virtual drawing ticket for every 200 points earned each day during the week.

ARIZONA CHARLIE’S$80,000 Snowstorm of Cash

Date: Saturdays through Jan. 30Time: 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.Information: Players who earn 500 base points will receive entries into weekly cash drawings. The top prize is $3,000.

Warm Up & Win GiveawayDate: Jan. 19-28Information: Earn 1,000 base points to participate in the kiosk game. The top prize is $1,000.

GOLDEN GATE AND THE DReelin’ Your Way to Mexico

Date: Through April 30Information: Loyalty card members can earn drawing entries playing

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WE WaNt to hEaR FRoM YoU Send your gaming information to [email protected]. 17 - jAN. 23

CASINO PROMOTIONS

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We Want to hear from you Send your gaming information to [email protected] GaminG jan. 17 - jan. 23

blackjack, keno, slots or video poker. Drawings at the D will be at 8 p.m. Jan. 31 and March 31. Drawings at the Golden Gate will be at 8 p.m. Feb. 29 and April 30. The grand prize is a cruise July 17-21 to Mexico.

M ResoRttwo ticket touchdown drawing

Date: Jan. 23Information: The grand prize is two tickets to the Super Bowl and a $2,500 Visa gift card. Receive one entry for every natural four-of-a-kind combi-nation hit during a max-bet on any 25-cent or higher bar-top video poker machine at the M Bar, casino bar or 32 Degree Draft Bar.

soUtH PoInt$400,000 Spin 2 Win

Date: Sundays through WednesdaysInformation: Earn 500 same-day points on slots or 2,000 same-day points on video poker to spin the wheel, up to four spins. Win up to $100 in slot play.

Point multipliersDate: Jan. 18Information: Earn 5x points on slots; receive 1,000 base points and get $15. Earn 2x points on video poker; receive 1,000 base points and get $6.

Jersey giveawayDate: Jan. 24Information: One poker player will win a professional football team jersey after each game.

sUnCoastSpin and win kiosk game

Date: TuesdaysTime: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Information: Earn 25 points to play. Win up to 1 million points, dining cred-its and more.

Swipe and win up to 1 million pointsDate: Fridays and SaturdaysTime: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.Information: Earn 10 base points to play. The top prizes are 1 million points or $1,000.

Saturday cash drawingDate: Jan. 30Time: 8:15 p.m.Information: Earn 10 base points to participate. Win up to $10,000.

$20,000 Bonus tourneyDate: ThursdaysInformation: Loyalty card members playing select penny slots are eligible to win up to $1,000 in play.

Point multipliersDate: JanuaryInformation: Receive 15x points on penny machines, 11x points on slots

and 7x points on video poker on Jan. 18. Receive 15x points on Buffalo slot games on Sundays. Players 50 and older will receive up to 50x points on Wednesdays.

Win up to $2,500Date: ThursdaysTime: 5-9 p.m.Information: For loyalty card members playing table games. If your name is called, everyone at the table wins. Each rated player receives $100. At the craps table, any rated player on the same side of the table from the stick-man to the dealer will receive $100.

GoLD CoastKiosk game

Date: MondaysInformation: Earn 25 points to play. Win up to 1 million points.



Gift giveawaysDate: TuesdaysTime: 2-9 p.m.Information: Earn 300 points to receive a gift. Jan. 19 — hat; Jan. 26 — shoulder bag.

Point multiplierDate: SundaysInformation: Receive 11x points on penny reels.

martin Luther King Jr. Day point multiplierDate: Jan. 18Information: Receive 15x points on penny reels, 11x points on reels and 7x points on video poker.

eLDoRaDoCash for Play

Date: SundayInformation: Get $10 cash for earning 600 base points; valid one time only each Sunday.

Cash GrabDate: Jan. 24Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.Information: Earn entries via mailed advertisement or by earning 300 base points on Jan. 24.

take it or trade itDate: SaturdaysTime: Hourly, 4:30-10:30 p.m.Information: Cash giveaway. The top prize is $1,000. Earn entries through

slot or table play.

rolling for DoughDate: FridaysTime: Hourly, 2-9:30 p.m.Information: Earn entries through table or slot play. Roll the dice and win 10x the amount.

GoLDen nUGGetLuggage giveaway

Date: Jan. 18-20Information: Receive a set of carry-on luggage for earning 1,500 points on your loyalty card.

Duffel bag giveawayDate: Jan. 25-27Information: Receive a rolling duffel bag for earning 1,500 points on your loyalty card.

World Series of SlotsDate: Jan. 22-24Information: First place wins $30,000. With an entry fee of $150, players will compete in a two-day tournament with options for re-buys.

oRLeansPoint multiplier

Date: SundaysInformation: Earn 11x points on penny reels.


Cash grabDate: TuesdaysInformation: Earn 300 base points to win up to $500.

Gift daysDate: ThursdaysInformation: Earn 300 base points and receive a gift. Jan. 21 — blanket, Jan. 28 — robe.

martin Luther King Jr. Day point multipliersDate: Jan. 18Information: Receive 15x points on penny slots, 11x points on other slots and 7x points on video poker.

saM’s toWnBonus play

Date: Mondays and TuesdaysInformation: Play slots and earn up to $50 in play that can be redeemed the following day.

hot seat drawingsDate: ThursdaysTime: 3-7:30 p.m.Information: Three players will be

selected every 30 minutes.



earn and Win — polar fleeceDate: Through Jan. 31Information: Earn 12,000 base points to receive a fleece jacket. Maximum of two per loyalty card.

Point multipliersDate: Fridays and SundaysInformation: Receive 15x points on Buffalo machines, 11x points on slots and 7x points on video poker.

jokeRs WILDtake it or trade it

Date: SaturdaysTime: Hourly, 6-10 p.m.Information: Cash giveaway. The top prize is $1,000. Earn entries through slot or table play.

hot SeatDate: SundaysTime: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.Information: Players selected at ran-dom will win cash.

earn up to $30 in playDate: SundaysInformation: Receive $10 in play for every 600 base points; up to $30.

Saturday early rewardsDate: SaturdaysTime: Hourly, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Information: Earn entries through table or slot play. The top prize is $100 or $120 in slot play.

rolling for DoughDate: FridaysTime: Hourly, 1-9 p.m.Information: Earn entries through table or slot play. Roll the dice and win 10x the amount.

BoYD GaMInGIt’s on the house

Date: Fridays and SaturdaysTime: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.Information: Earn 10 points to play. Priz-es include 1 million points, up to $1,000, dining credits and more. Grand prize drawings for a chance to win $10,000 will be Jan. 30 at the Orleans, Suncoast, Gold Coast and Sam’s Town. The draw-ings will be at 7:15 p.m. at the Orleans; at 8:15 p.m. at Suncoast and Gold Coast; and at 6:15 p.m. at Sam’s Town.

Calendar of eventsWednesday, Jan. 20

Southern Nevada CCIM Chapter luncheon

Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Cost: $60

Location: Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road,

Las Vegas

Information: Visit snccim.org

Exchange business cards with professionals

in the commercial and investment real estate

industries and plan for the new year.

Thursday, Jan. 21 Clark County Bar Association luncheon

Time: Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost: Free

Location: Place on 7th, 115 N. Seventh St., Las

Vegas

Information: Visit clarkcountybar.org

Mark Rowland, CEO of DTP Ventures, will speak

about changes to downtown Las Vegas. There

also will be a welcoming presentation for incom-

ing bar association president Cathy M. Mazzeo.

NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development

Association Southern Nevada Chapter: Forecast

2016 - Finding a Way Back

Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Cost: $60 for early registra-

tion, free for president’s circle sponsors,

$80 for registration without RSVP

Location: Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave.,

Las Vegas

Information:

Visit naiopsouthernevada.wildapricot.org

Local experts will give a short-term future mar-

ket analysis and economic forecast, as well as

discuss national commercial real estate trends.

State of Economic Development breakfast

Time: 7-8:30 a.m. Cost: $50 for early bird regis-

tration, $60 on the day of the event

Location: Four Seasons, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd.

South, Las Vegas

Information: Email [email protected]

Steve Hill of the Governor’s Office of Economic

Development and Jonas Peterson of the Las

Vegas Global Economic Alliance will speak about

Nevada’s economy and what to expect in 2016.

saTurday, Jan. 23 Women’s Club of Summerlin

installation luncheon

Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $35

Location: Canyon Gate Country Club, 2001 Can-

yon Gate Drive, Las Vegas

Information: Email [email protected]

Get to know the members of the Women’s Club

of Summerlin and welcome new officers for 2016.

Tuesday, Jan. 26 BOMA Nevada breakfast meeting

Time: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Cost: $35

for members with advance registration, $40 for

nonmembers with advance registration, $45 for

members without advance registration, $40 for

nonmembers without advance registration

Location: Las Vegas Country Club, 3000 Joe W.

Brown Drive, Las Vegas

Information: Visit bomanevada.org

Christopher Hoye of the U.S. Marshals Service

will discuss precautions people can take in light

of recent terror attacks.

Thursday, Jan. 28 North Las Vegas State of the City

Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $45

Location: Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane,

North Las Vegas

Information: Visit cityofnorthlasvegas.com

Mayor John Lee will discuss North Las Vegas’

economic outlook, while Las Vegas Metro Cham-

ber of Commerce President and CEO Kristin

McMillan will provide a business outlook.

Asian Chamber of Commerce luncheon

Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $35 for members,

$45 for nonmembers

Location: Gold Coast, 4000 W. Flamingo Road,

Las Vegas

Information: Visit lvacc.org

Rick Arpin of MGM Resorts International will

speak about T-Mobile Arena, the AEG/MGM

project being built between the Monte Carlo and

New York-New York.

Friday, Jan. 29 Preview Las Vegas 2016

Time: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Cost: $65 for members

and trustees, $85 for nonmembers

Location: UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway,

Las Vegas

Information: Visit PreviewLasVegas.com

Network with almost 2,000 business profession-

als and learn about key business indicators from

experts during the Las Vegas Metro Chamber

of Commerce’s largest business forecasting and

networking event of the year.

Conventions ExPECtED ShOW LOCAtION DAtES AttENDANCE

Kitchen and Bath Industry Show Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 19-21 33,000

International Builders Show Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 19-21 60,000

Shooting, hunting and Outdoor trade Show Sands Expo and Convention Center Jan. 19-22 62,000

Surfaces 2016 Mandalay Bay Jan. 20-22 25,000

AVN Adult Entertainment Expo Hard Rock Hotel Jan. 20-23 25,000

Sports Licensing and tailgate Show Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 24-26 4,000

Las Vegas Market – Winter World Market Center Jan. 24-28 50,000

Bick International - Coin, Currency, Jewelry and Stamp Expo Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 28-30 1,000

Vacuum Dealers trade Association

VDtA 2016 Annual tradeshow Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 28-30 2,600

your Business-to-Business newsSend your business-related information to [email protected]

the sunday55

Jan. 17 - Jan. 23

the sunday56

jan. 17 - jan. 23

Records and TransactionsBanKRUPTCIESCHAPTER 7RLP-Comstock DR LLC316 Lingering LaneHenderson, NV 89102Attorney: RLP-Comstock DR LLC

CHAPTER 11Elm Uptown Acquisition LLC4325 Dean Martin Drive, Unit 340Las Vegas, NV 89103Attorney: Samuel A. Schwartz at [email protected]

Mohave Agrarian Group LLC8912 Spanish Ridge Ave.Las Vegas, NV 89148Attorney: Brett A. Axelrod at [email protected]

BID OPPORTUnITIESTUESDAY, JAN. 193 p.m.ARC for fastenersClark County, 603815Chetan Champaneri at [email protected]

THURSDAY, JAN. 212:15 p.m.Fire Station No. 22: Fuel station installationClark County, 603931Ashley Blanco at [email protected]

2:15 p.m.Eastern Avenue: Wigwam to Warm Springs, Serene to I-215 and I-215 rampsClark County, 603879Ashley Blanco at [email protected]

3 p.m.Legal service to obtain perma-nent guardianships for children in county’s custodyClark County, 603933Sherry Wimmer at [email protected]

FRIDAY, JAN. 222:15 p.m.Traffic safety and roadway im-provements: Buffalo Drive, Gomer Road to Richmar AvenueClark County, 603903Tom Boldt at [email protected]

BROKERED TRanSaCTIOnSSALES$2,002,600 for 16,864 square feet, office/industrial7115 Bermuda Road, Las Vegas 89119Seller: Silver State Gateway Ltd.

Seller agent: Did not discloseBuyer: McBeath Holdings LLC Series TTBuyer agent: Greg Pancirov and Mike DeLew of Colliers Interna-tional

$1,510,000 for 113 units, motel704 Nevada Highway, Boulder City 89005Seller: US Bankruptcy TrusteeSeller agent: Charles ConnorsBuyer: Bal GosalBuyer agent: Did not disclose

$1,147,825 for 6,559 square feet, office6690 Montecito Parkway, Las Vegas 89149Seller: 6630 Grand Montecito LLCSeller agent: Stacy Scheer, Grant Traub and Chris Connell of Colliers InternationalBuyer: MTM Investment LLCBuyer agent: Did not disclose

$1,400,000 for 91 spaces, mobile home park1501 Nevada Highway, Boulder City 89005Seller: US Bankruptcy TrusteeSeller agent: Charles Connors of Colliers InternationalBuyer: RPS HomesBuyer agent: Did not disclose

$1,000,000 for 1.4 acres, landSouthwest corner of Craig and Revere Street, Las VegasSeller: RREF II - K1 Promenada LLCSeller agent: Lauren Tabeek of VoitBuyer: Upper Image ServicesBuyer agent: Tony Amato of Avi-son Young

LEASES$701,400 for 14,028 square feet for 62 months, retail6525 S. Fort Apache Road, Las Vegas 89148Landlord: Montery Vista Village Shopping CenterLandlord agent: Liz Clare and Jackie Young of Avison YoungTenant: Dollar Tree StoresTenant agent: Lisa Callahan of Sage Commercial Advisors

$272,640 for 3,200 square feet for 63 months, 1 retail, NNN investment213 N. Stephanie St., Suites H and I, Henderson 89074Landlord: Roxbury Advisors LLCLandlord agent: Nelson Tressler and Michael Zobrist of Newmark Grubb Knight FrankTenant: Pacific Fitness Inc.Tenant agent: Martin M. Toumaian of Keller Williams Realty

$154,800 for 1,600 square feet for 60 months, 1 retail, NNN investment237 N. Stephanie St., Suite J, Hen-derson 89074Landlord: Roxbury Advisors LLCLandlord agent: Nelson Tressler and Michael Zobrist of Newmark

Grubb Knight FrankTenant: Jin Kuk YouTenant agent: Celine Kim of United Realty Group

$82,343 for 1,185 square feet for 60 months, office2675 S. Jones Blvd., Suite 103, Las Vegas 89146Landlord: 12KP Family TrustLandlord agent: Soozi Jones Walker and Bobbi Miracle of Com-mercial Executives Real Estate ServicesTenant: Custom Fit Franchise Solu-tions LLCTenant agent: Did not disclose

BUSInESS LICEnSESOffice WorksLicense type: Business supportAddress: 1717 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite B28, Las Vegas 89102Owner: Elizabeth Donner

On the Edge Promotions Inc.License type: Professional promoterAddress: 2360 Corporate Circle, Suite 400, Las Vegas 89074Owner: Paul Smith

Pampered by PenneLicense type: Independent mas-sage therapistAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Penelope Lohr

Paper King LLCLicense type: General servicesAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Mark Giarratana

Patricia E. GaitherLicense type: Real estate salesAddress: 1820 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 101, Las Vegas 89104Owner: Patricia E. Gaither

Planet FitnessLicense type: Fitness centerAddress: 260 E. Lake Mead Park-way, Henderson 89015Owner: Planet Fitness

Pool MastersLicense type: Residential property maintenanceAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Clarity Services LLC

Power Play SportscardsLicense type: Sales - sports cardAddress: 1300 W. Sunset Road, Henderson 89014Owner: Power Play Sportscards

Premier Medical Billing Services Inc.License type: Business supportAddress: 5715 W. Alexander Road, Suite 155, Las Vegas 89130Owner: Mechelle Patton

Professional Tree ServiceLicense type: Residential property maintenanceAddress: Did not disclose

Owner: Ramiro Ruiz Quiroz

RJK Asset Management Inc.License type: Business supportAddress: 10501 W. Gowan Road, Suite 260, Las Vegas 89129Owner: Robert J. Keyes Jr.

Robert John BartholomewLicense type: PhotographyAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Robert J. Bartholomew

Sam AuctionsLicense type: Auction and auc-tioneersAddress: 7530 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas 89128Owner: Surplus Asset Manage-ment Inc.

Santa Ana TireLicense type: Automotive garageAddress: 1961 E. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas 89101Owner: Jose Hernan Soilis

Save-A-LotLicense type: GroceryAddress: 6100 Vegas Drive, Las Vegas 89108Owner: Moran Foods LLC

SedaLicense type: Janitorial serviceAddress: 3701 Bordley Way, North Las Vegas 89030Owner: Jose Garza

Sheri A. AyresLicense type: Real estate salesAddress: 706 S. Eighth St., Las Vegas 89101Owner: Sheri A. Ayres

Smog Be GoneLicense type: Automotive garageAddress: 2401 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas 89108Owner: Alterdo Investments LLC

Smoke and Mini MartLicense type: Sales - tobaccoAddress: 2249 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson 89014Owner: Smoke and Mini Mart

Sposato Staffing LLC License type: Employment agencyAddress: 6455 Dean Martin Drive, Suite E, Las Vegas 89118Owner: Perlita Iniguez

Stephen Newman Authorized Dealer of SnapLicense type: SalesAddress: 127 Sterling Drive, Hen-derson 89015Owner: Stephen Newman Autho-rized Dealer of Snap

Steve Arrington AgencyLicense type: Insurance agencyAddress: 4530 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite D-3, Las Vegas 89110Owner: William Arrington

Stoned N Baked

License type: Food services or cafeAddress: 707 Fremont St., Suite 2310, Las Vegas 89101Owner: Tomorrow People LLC

Sushi Bar SageLicense type: Restaurant Address: 4408 N. Rancho Drive, Las Vegas 89130Owner: Hazel LLC

Telrite Corp.License type: Professional servicesAddress: 4113 Monticello St., Las Vegas 30014Owner: Kelly Jessel

Terramind LLCLicense type: Hypnotherapy Address: 8987 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas 89147Owner: Anita Babinszki-Saldana

The Genesis of Hair & BeyondLicense type: CosmeticsAddress: 1815 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 2, Las Vegas 89102Owner: JDW Corp.

The Hammer Co. LLCLicense type: Management or consulting serviceAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Ian Hammer

The Lucky Little Chapel DowntownLicense type: PhotographyAddress: 707 Fremont St., Suite 3330, Las Vegas 89101Owner: Jaxon Enterprises Inc.

The UPS Store License type: UPS store franchiseAddress: 2657 Windmill Parkway and 4616 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 1, Henderson 89074Owner: The UPS Store

Three Rs Trust Co. LLCLicense type: Trust companyAddress: 2300 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 800, Las Vegas 89102Owner: Lewis Linn

Toro Tax ServicesLicense type: Business supportAddress: 4532 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas 89107Owner: Maria Galindo

Travel AssociatesLicense type: Travel or ticket agencyAddress: 516 Holick Ave., Hender-son 89011Owner: Travel Associates

Twenty47Atm Inc.License type: Automated teller operatorAddress: 3851 Pennwood Ave., Suite 165, and 8251 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas 89102Owner: Joshua R. Works

U Star Mobile TaxesLicense type: Business supportAddress: 800 N. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 140, Las Vegas 89107

THE DATASend your business-related information to [email protected]

the sunday57

jan. 17 - jan. 23

Records and TransactionsOwner: U Star Communications LLC

Ultra Express LLC Shuttle Co.License type: Travel and ticket agencyAddress: 3001 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite H, Las Vegas 89101Owner: Ultra Express LLC

V Squad ProductionsLicense type: Professional promoterAddress: 5645 Wedgefield St., Las Vegas 89081Owner: Vegas Squad Productions LLC

Vigilante Photography Inc.License type: PhotographyAddress: Did not discloseOwner: James Vigilante

Vogl Construction LLCLicense type: Contractor Address: 35 N. Mojave Road, Las Vegas 89101Owner: Jeffrey Vogl

Wafa Abu-HashishLicense type: Real estate salesAddress: 6628 Sky Pointe Drive, Suite 200, Las Vegas 89131Owner: Wafa Abu-Hashish LLC

Weiliang PingLicense type: ReflexologistAddress: 9480 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 175, Henderson 89074Owner: Weiliang Ping

Women’s Health Associates of Southern NVLicense type: Medical officeAddress: 861 Coronado Center Drive, Suite 131, Henderson 89052Owner: Women’s Health Associ-ates of Southern NV

Zen Me LLCLicense type: Healing spaAddress: 80 N. Pecos Road, Suite A, Henderson 89074Owner: Zen Me LLC

A Travel DeskLicense type: Travel or ticket agencyAddress: 89 Day Trade St., Suite 3, Henderson 89074Owner: A Travel Desk

ABC ATMLicense type: Automated teller operatorAddress: 2307 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas 89104Owner: Abcatm LLC

Abebe Courier & DeliveryLicense type: Sales/serviceAddress: 3417 Conterra Park Ave., North Las Vegas 89081Owner: Solomon Bereket

AFW Cleaning LLCLicense type: Janitorial serviceAddress: 4107 W. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas 89030Owner: AFW Cleaning LLC

AGC Design LLCLicense type: General retail salesAddress: 2620 Regatta Drive, Suite 102, Las Vegas 89128Owner: Cheryline Phillip

Ameripro Home LoansLicense type: Mortgage lendingAddress: 1489 W. Warm Springs Road, Suite 110, Henderson 89014Owner: Ameripro Home Loans

Anniys Massage SpaLicense type: Massage establish-mentAddress: 8000 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 140, Las Vegas 89117Owner: Qinqi Lu

Arias Music Co. License type: Phonograph storeAddress: 2021 E. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas 89101Owner: Richard Garcia

Artistic Powder Coating and Plasma CuttingLicense type: Manufacturing, light assembly and fabricationAddress: 105 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas 89102Owner: American Powder Coating and Plasma Cutting LLC

Azteca ServicesLicense type: Business supportAddress: 1705 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas 89104Owner: Azteca Services Corp.

BarspoutLicense type: General retail salesAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Barspout LLC

Battle Born Landscape Architec-ture LLCLicense type: Residential property maintenanceAddress: 2052 Vegas Valley Drive, Las Vegas 89169Owner: Kenon Burns

BKS Group LLCLicense type: Rental propertyAddress: 3434 Aristos Ave., North Las Vegas 89030Owner: BKS Group LLC

BKS Vape N Smoke LLCLicense type: Sales - vapesAddress: 5725 Losee Road, North Las Vegas 89081Owner: BKS Vape N Smoke LLC

Black EccoLicense type: General retail salesAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Black Ecco LLC

Bob’s Smoke ShopLicense type: Sales/serviceAddress: 150 E. Centennial Park-way, North Las Vegas 89084Owner: Platinum Management Group 3 LLC

Body Spa Downtown

License type: CosmeticsAddress: 725 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite 240, Las Vegas 89101Owner: Body Spa Inc.

Bombshell LV LLCLicense type: CosmeticsAddress: 150 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Suite 140, Las Vegas 89101Owner: Bombshell Enterprises LLC

Breakthru Beverage Nevada LLCLicense type: Interjurisdictional businessAddress: 1849 Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas 89032Owner: Breakthru Beverage Nevada LLC

Brenda ChavezLicense type: Real estate salesAddress: 7495 W. Azure Drive, Suite 206, Las Vegas 89130Owner: Brenda Chavez

Brush Boutique SalonLicense type: CosmeticsAddress: 1501 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas 89109Owner: Titojimy LLC

BSR Plumbing Inc.License type: Contractor Address: Did not discloseOwner: Andrean Borisov

BST LLCLicense type: Management or consulting serviceAddress: Did not discloseOwner: BST Conference Event Management LLC

Camila WirelessLicense type: General retail salesAddress: 4421 E. Bonanza Road, Las Vegas 89110Owner: Diana Cabrera

Casa BlancaLicense type: Banquet or event establishmentAddress: 1401 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas 89101Owner: Daniel Leon

Certified Pools & SpasLicense type: Residential property maintenanceAddress: Did not disclose Owner: Charles Mccally

Claymore Development LLCLicense type: Consulting serviceAddress: 72 John Stuart Mill St., Henderson 89002Owner: Claymore Development LLC

Clearinghouse CDFILicense type: Finance companyAddress: 2300 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 1110, Las Vegas 89102Owner: Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institute

Clinical Research AdvantageLicense type: ClinicAddress: 6301 Mountain Vista St.,

Suite 109, Henderson 89014Owner: Clinical Research Advantage

Contreras LandscapeLicense type: Residential property maintenanceAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Gerardo Contreras-Lemus

Copper HillsLicense type: ApartmentAddress: 981 Whitney Ranch Drive, Henderson 89014Owner: Copper Hills

Cozy Air LLCLicense type: ContractorAddress: 3717 Rose Canyon Drive, North Las Vegas 89030Owner: Cozy Air LLC

Creative Behavioral ConnectionsLicense type: Professional servicesAddress: 5803 W. Craig Road, Suite 106, Las Vegas 89130Owner: Creative Behavioral Con-nections LLC

Credit Repair DoctorLicense type: Business supportAddress: 3228 N. Rancho Drive, Las Vegas 89130Owner: Zyzzyx

De Etta L. Ewing Architecture Design PlanningLicense type: Professional servicesAddress: 3030 S. Durango Drive, Las Vegas 89117Owner: De Etta L. Ewing, Architec-ture Design Planning PLLC

DF Desert Inn LLCLicense type: Sales/serviceAddress: 810 E. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas 89030Owner: Neo Nevada Desert Inn LLC

DK Juhl LLCLicense type: Apartment house Address: 353 E. Bonneville Ave., Las Vegas 89101Owner: DK LV Mezz LLC

DK Ogden LLCLicense type: Apartment house Address: 150 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas 89101Owner: DK LV Mezz LLC

Dollar Tree License type: General retail salesAddress: 3489 E. Owens Ave., Las Vegas 89101Owner: Dollar Tree Stores Inc.

Dusty Ritter Gymnastics LLCLicense type: MultivendorAddress: 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas 89101Owner: Craig Ritter

Elemental Flow Props Ltd.License type: Manufacturing, light assembly and fabricationAddress: 9595 Gatesville Ave., Las Vegas 89148Owner: Cody Phillips-Turner

Erin BrewerLicense type: Real estate salesAddress: 10000 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas 89145Owner: Erin Brewer

Escape Salon & SpaLicense type: Salon and spaAddress: 1450 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite A506, Henderson 89012Owner: Escape Salon & Spa

Evergreen Designer LawnsLicense type: Residential property maintenanceAddress: Did not discloseOwner: Roger E. Guinn

Evergreen Lawn ServicesLicense type: Property maintenanceAddress: 2509 Jubilance Point Court, North Las Vegas 89032Owner: Evergreen Lawn Services

Evergreen OrganixLicense type: Medical marijuana cultivation facility Address: 3480 W. Hacienda Ave., Las Vegas 89118Owner: NV 3480 Partners LLC

EvoLVe Family Life CoachingLicense type: Instruction services Address: Did not discloseOwner: Anette Kleeberg-Heske

Expo NailsLicense type: CosmeticsAddress: 3872 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas 89102Owner: Thuy Trang Thi Nguyen

Exquisite Granite & GemsLicense type: General retail salesAddress: 1717 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite H28, Las Vegas 89102Owner: Rabina Rosequist

Eye TacticsLicense type: School Address: 8661 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas 89117Owner: Leridz Enterprises LLC

EyeQ-MGM Inc.License type: General retail salesAddress: 3021 S. Valley View Blvd., Suite 108, Las Vegas 89102Owner: Kuang-Hua Lai

Falcon Healthcare SystemsLicense type: General retail salesAddress: 10501 W. Gowan Road, Suite 160, Las Vegas 89129Owner: Falcontek Inc.

Felipes Tacos & RestaurantLicense type: Restaurant Address: 1002 N. Rancho Drive, Las Vegas 89106Owner: Felipe’s Inc.

Fernando BanuelosLicense type: Real estate salesAddress: 581 Fork Mesa Court, Las Vegas 89015Owner: Fernando Banuelos

the dataSend your business-related information to [email protected]


the sunday58

jan. 17 - jan. 23

Records and TransactionsFernando VargasLicense type: Bail agent/enforce-ment agentAddress: 1600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite 140, Las Vegas 89104Owner: Fernando Vargas

FFA Group LLCLicense type: Professional servicesAddress: 1810 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 100, Las Vegas 89104Owner: Verenice Flores

Fisher ArtistryLicense type: General retail salesAddress: 8751 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 190, Las Vegas 89117Owner: Fisher Artistry LLC

Frank RosenthalLicense type: Real estate salesAddress: 8400 W. Sahara Ave., Suite B, Las Vegas 89117Owner: Frank Rosenthal

BUILDInG PERMITS$3,007,164, commercial - addition3040 Simmons St., North Las VegasBurr Computer Environments Inc.

$500,003, office314 S. Water St., HendersonBlue Skye Development LLC

$499,991, tenant improvement - offices314 S. Water St., HendersonBlue Skye Development LLC

$314,997, electrical3901 Donna St., North Las VegasT&M Controls Inc.

$310,000, commercial - addition7451 Eastgate Road, HendersonAlbrecht LV LLC

$300,623, roof-mounted photo-voltaic system402 Estella Ave., Las VegasSolarCity Corp.

$250,000, tenant improvement - offices1111 N. Town Center Drive, Las VegasLF Harris and Co. Inc.

$229,452, residential - production2795 Richmar Ave., HendersonRyland Homes Nevada LLC

$206,700, HVAC exact change out8109 Sunset Cove Drive, Las VegasYes Air Conditioning & Plumbing

$203,258, single-family residential - production12121 Hermesa Colina Ave., Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$203,258, single-family residential - production12113 Paseo Terraza Lane, Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$195,904, residential - production2819 Candelaria Drive, HendersonRyland Homes Nevada LLC

$194,401, single-family residential - production9974 Rams Leap Ave., Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$181,244, single-family residential - production12125 Hermesa Colina Ave., Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$179,693, single-family residential - production9643 Ashlynn Peak Court, Las VegasRichmond American Homes of Nevada

$178,060, residential - new2405 Gala Haven Court, North Las VegasRichmond American Homes of Nevada

$174,675, residential - new5717 Tideview St., North Las VegasD.R. Horton Inc.

$174,040, wall/fence212 Antelope Ridge Drive, Las VegasCedco Inc.


$161,914, residential - production147 Littlestone St., HendersonKB Home Nevada Inc.

$159,714, rehabilitation329 Duchess Ave., North Las VegasHP Enterprises Inc.

$158,479, residential - new4013 Celebration Cove St., North Las VegasRichmond American Homes of Nevada


$147,164, residential - production683 Narissa Ave., HendersonHacienda Trails LLC

$147,164, residential - production2476 Dragon Fire Lane, HendersonHacienda Trails LLC

$142,839, residential - production2158 County Down Lane, HendersonToll Henderson LLC

$142,395, residential - production2131 Emyvale Court, HendersonKB Home Inspirada LLC

$142,050, residential - new5036 Alejandro Way, North Las VegasWilliam Lyon Homes Inc.



$141,802, single-family residential - production10016 Wildhorse Canyon Ave., Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$139,900, residential - production1322 Reef Point Ave., HendersonRyland Homes Nevada LLC


$137,294, residential - production694 Tidal Flats St., HendersonKB Home LV Pearl Creek LLC



$129,039, residential - new3644 Fuselier Drive, North Las VegasRichmond American Homes of Nevada

$128,644, residential - production916 Tasker Pass Ave., HendersonRyland Homes Nevada LLC


$122,721, residential - production2112 Emyvale Court, HendersonKB Home Inspirada LLC


$118,103, residential - new115 Heathrow Lake Ave., North Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC



$117,276, residential - production910 Harbor Ave., HendersonKB Home LV Pearl Creek LLC

$115,303, residential - new119 Heathrow Lake Ave., North Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$114,802, single-family residential - production9936 Wildhorse Canyon Ave., Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$114,171, residential - production489 Cadence View Way, HendersonRichmond American Homes of Nevada

$113,617, residential - production1126 N. Water St., HendersonRichard Austin White

$113,617, residential - production517 Cadence Way, HendersonRichmond American Homes of Nevada



$107,298, perimeter retaining wall1221 Lake Heights Court, HendersonD.R. Horton Inc.

$106,890, mechanical1111 N. Town Center Drive, Las VegasHansen mechanical Contract Inc.

$103,192, residential - production463 Fortissimo St., HendersonRichmond American Homes of Nevada

$102,859, residential - production915 Harbor Ave., HendersonKB Home LV Pearl Creek LLC

$102,527, residential - production716 Sea Coast Drive, HendersonKB Home LV Pearl Creek LLC

$100,475, residential - production2128 Via Firenze, HendersonKB Home Inspirada LLC

$100,475, residential - production3156 Del Terra Ave., HendersonKB Home Inspirada LLC

$100,000, water/sewer7100 W. Craig Road, Las VegasMaster Built Construction LLC


$95,500, tenant improvement - banquet hall4437 W. Charleston Blvd., Las VegasShowcase Contracting LLC

$94,242, single-family residential - production7522 Whitman Colonial St., Las

VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$94,242, single-family residential - production10107 Mayflower Bay Ave., Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$94,242, single-family residential - production10159 Ruggles Mansion Ave., Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$93,848, residential - new5657 Sagamore Canyon St., North Las VegasJ.F. Shea Co. Inc.

$86,662, residential - new5940 Radiance Park St., North Las VegasJ.F. Shea Co. Inc.

$85,997, commercial - remodel949 Empire Mesa Way, Henderson949 Empire Mesa LLC

$85,942, single-family residential - production7572 Moose River Court, Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$85,942, single-family residential - production7518 Whitman Colonial St., Las VegasWoodside Homes of Nevada LLC

$81,161, sign333 N. Rancho Drive, Las VegasYesco LLC

$76,196, commercial - roofing2401 Western Ave., Las VegasDRI Tech Corp.

$75,000, sign800 W. Mesquite Ave., Las VegasJones Media Inc.

$75,000, sign800 W. Mesquite Ave., Las VegasJones Media Inc.

$74,980, commercial - remodel10271 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 121, HendersonSiena I Holding LP

$71,840, commercial - addition725 W. Washburn Road, North Las VegasOverland Contracting Inc.

$71,840, commercial - addition4853 E. Tropical Parkway, North Las VegasOverland Contracting Inc.

To receive a complete copy of Data Plus every week in Excel, please visit vegasinc.com/subscribe.

Resolution:Eat Better.

34 Valley Locations

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The List

Source: The Nevada Taxicab Authority and Vegas INC research. It is not the intent of this list to endorse the participants or to imply that the listing of a company indicates its quality. Although every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy and

thoroughness of VEGAS INC charts, omissions sometimes occur and some businesses do not respond. Please send corrections or additions on company letterhead to Julie Ann Formoso, research associate, VEGAS INC, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third

Floor, Henderson, NV 89074.

Category: taxiCaB operators(ranked By first 11 months of 2015 revenue

Company Revenue TripsRevenue/trip

Medallion plates Companies Top executive

1 Frias Transportation Management5010 S. Valley View Blvd.Las Vegas, NV 89118702-798-3400 • lvcabs.com

$102.2 million 7 million $14.60 1,101 ANLV Cab, Ace Cab, Union Cab, Vegas Western Cab, Virgin Valley Cab

John Marushok, CEO

2 Yellow Checker Star Transportation5225 W. Post RoadLas Vegas, NV 89118702-873-2000 • ycstrans.com

$101.9 million 6.8 million $14.98 1,181 Checker Cab Co., Star Cab Co., Yellow Cab Co.

Bill Shranko, CEO

3 Bell Trans1900 S. Industrial RoadLas Vegas, NV 89102702-739-7990 • belllimousine.com

$59.4 million 3.9 million $15.24 451 Henderson Taxi, Whittlesea Blue Cab Co.

Brent Bell, CEO

4 Desert Cab4675 Wynn RoadLas Vegas, NV 89103702-386-9102 • desertcabinc.com

$36.9 million 2.1 million $17.56 199 Desert Cab George Balaban, owner

5 Nellis Cab Co.5490 S. Cameron St.Las Vegas, NV 89118702-248-1111 • nelliscab.com

$32 million 1.9 million $16.84 194 Nellis Cab Co. Michelle Langille, CEO

6 Western Cab Co.801 S. Main St.Las Vegas, NV 89101702-736-8000 • westerncabcompany.com

$24.5 million 1.6 million $15.32 198 Western Cab Co. Did not disclose

7 Lucky Cab Co.4195 W. Diablo DriveLas Vegas, NV 89118702-477-7555 • luckylimolv.com/luckycab

$23.9 million 1.5 million $15.95 154 Lucky Cab Co. Did not disclose

8 A-Cab Co.1500 E. Searles Ave.Las Vegas, NV 89101702-365-1900 • acablv.com

$11.8 million 699,666 $16.88 115 A-Cab Co. John Gathright, general manager

9 Deluxe Cab Co.6055 Emerald Ave.Las Vegas, NV 89122702-568-7700 • deluxetaxicabservice.com

$7 million 373,452 $18.89 106 Deluxe Cab Co. Did not disclose

To receive a complete copy of Data Plus every week in Excel, which includes the full List, visit vegasinc.com/subscribe.

the sunday60

jan. 17 - jan. 23

AWARDS

***

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

+ MOREGreenspun Media Group hosts the first LAS VEGAS SUN STANDOUT AWARDS.

The awards will celebrate the past year in all high school sports in Southern Nevada, looking back

at the top games, moments, teams and players.

From the leaders in High School sports

coverage, we invite you to cheer

and support our local athletes.

MAKE YOUR PICKS AT

WWW.LASVEGASSUN.COM/NOMINATE

*Nominations due end of April 2016

*Special feature in the 5/22 issue of The Sunday

me

Disadvantaged children who attend quality early education programs are 31% more likely to graduate from high school, 80% more likely to attend college, and 23% more likely to be employed as adults. Without the fundamental building blocks of learning in place, a child is much more likely to struggle in school – and in life. The future of our economy begins with teaching our children to learn.

See more at:StrongStartNevada.org

Investment

SmallA

NOW

Yields Valuable

Dividends LATER.

TEACH

Buy 1 Get 1

Free Draft Beer

LOCATED CENTER STRIP AT THE LINQ UNDER THE WHEEL

(702) 862-BOWL

www.BrooklynBowl.com

*Must be at least 21 with valid photo ID. Cannot be combined with any other offer. No cash value. Management reserves all rights.

Not valid on holidays or during special events. Expires 1/31/2016.

Buy One Get One

FREE Buffet or

50% OFF One Buffet

at S7 BuffetMust be at least 21 with valid photo ID and A-Play Card. Membership into the A-Play Club is free. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Complimentary

buffet value up to $12.99, additional fees apply on specialty, brunch and holiday buffets. Tax and Gratuity not included. One coupon per person, per table,

per week. Dine in only. No cash value. Void if copied. Management reserves all rights. Expires 2/2/16. Settle to: 535.

4100 PARADISE ROAD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89169

(702) 733-7000

www.SilverSevensCasino.com

FREE Bloody Mary

or Mimosa

and $5 OFF adult ticket to Gospel Brunch

at House of Blues.

*Subject to availability. Must present coupon when booking Gospel Brunch ticket; to get a drink ticket for free Bloody Mary or Mimosa.

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offers. Offer is non-transferable and has no cash value.

Not valid on holidays. Management reserves all rights. Expires 02/29/16.

HOUSE OF BLUES INSIDE MANDALAY BAY RESORT

3950 LAS VEGAS BLVD. S, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119

(702) 632-7600

www.houseofblues.com/lasvegas

FREE Drink On Us

at House of Blues

Crossroads Bar

Buy one drink and get the second FREE.

*Good for one domestic beer, well drink or house wine, valid at the bar only. Must present this coupon when ordering drink.

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offers. Offifer is non-transferable and has no cash value. Must be 21+ with valid ID.

Management reserves all rights. Expires 02/29/16.


3950 LAS VEGAS BLVD. S, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119

(702) 632-7600


(702) 632-7600


3950 S LAS VEGAS BLVD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119


Steel Panther

Friday, Jan 22

Buy 1, Get 1 Free - GA Entry Ticket

*Present coupon by 7pm day of show. Some exclusions apply. Management reserves all rights. Expires 1/22/16.

20% OFF

Entire Guest Check

*One coupon, per table, per visit. Not valid with any other coupons or promotional offers. Coupon has no cash value. No change returned.

Taxes and gratuity not included. Valid at participating Denny’s restaurants. Selection and prices may vary. Only original coupon accepted.

Photocopied and Internet printed or purchased coupons are not valid. No substitutions. © 2014 DFO, LLC. Printed in the U.S.A.

Offer valid on your next visit 1.24.16-2.6.16.

$5 FREE

Slot Play

for New MembersMust become a Player Rewards Card member to redeem. Existing Player Rewards Card Members do not qualify.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other free slot play offer. Management reserves all rights. Limit of one (1) New Member

free slot play offer per person and Player Rewards card. Group #5502. Valid 1/17/16 — 1/23/16.

725 S RACETRACK RD. HENDERSON, NV 89015

(702) 566-5555

www.clubfortunecasino.com

3290 W. ANN ROAD

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV 89031

(702) 395-0492

www.pteglv.com

6788 NORTH 5TH STREET


(702) 633-0901

www.pteglv.com

Buy One Get One

FREE Drink

at Sean Patrick’s

Wine, well or domestic beer

*Expires 1/31/16. Please present coupon at time of order. No cash value. Management reserves all rights.

May not be combined with any other offer. See bar host for details.

VALID AT 3290 W. ANN ROAD and 6788 NORTH 5TH STREET. Settle to 1581.

FREE Appetizer

at Sean Patrick’s

Buy one appetizer and get the second FREE

*Expires 1/31/16. Please present coupon at time of order. No cash value. Maximum value at $9.99 on free appetizer.

Management reserves all rights. See bar host for details.

VALID AT 3290 W. ANN ROAD and 6788 NORTH 5TH STREET ONLY. Settle to 1580.

3290 W. ANN ROAD


(702) 395-0492

www.pteglv.com

6788 NORTH 5TH STREET


(702) 633-0901

www.pteglv.com

Buy One Get One

FREE Drink

at Sean Patrick’s

Wine, well or domestic beer

*Expires 1/31/16. Please present coupon at time of order. No cash value. Management reserves all rights.

May not be combined with any other offer. See bar host for details.

VALID AT 11930 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS PKWY. and 8255 W. FLAMINGO ROAD ONLY. Settle to 1581.

11930 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS PKWY.

LAS VEGAS, NV 89141

(702) 837-0213

www.pteglv.com

8255 W. FLAMINGO ROAD

LAS VEGAS, NV 89147

(702) 227-9793

www.pteglv.com

FREE Appetizer

at Sean Patrick’s

Buy one appetizer and get the second FREE

*Expires 1/31/16. Please present coupon at time of order. No cash value. Maximum value at $9.99 on free appetizer.

Management reserves all rights. See bar host for details.

VALID AT 11930 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS PKWY and 8255 W. FLAMINGO ROAD. Settle to 1580.

11930 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS PKWY.

LAS VEGAS, NV 89141

(702) 837-0213

www.pteglv.com

8255 W. FLAMINGO ROAD

LAS VEGAS, NV 89147

(702) 227-9793

www.pteglv.com

1/2 OFF Range Fee

For First Time Shooters Only

Sundays Only

Enjoy our climate-controlled 14-lane shooting range, eye and ear protection, and you can

even bring your own ammo! Don’t worry about those time limits other ranges have,

$5 gets you a lane for as long as you want to pull the trigger! Come see why hundreds

of thousands of locals have found our range to be the best in Las Vegas.

*Simply bring in this coupon to redeem the offer.

3084 HIGHLAND DRIVE. LAS VEGAS, NV 89109

(702) 567-1158

www.DiscountFirearmsLV.com

$

2 OFF per Carton*

(Cigarettes only)

*Must be 18 years of age or older. NO LIMIT on any brand of carton purchased. Excludes fi fi filtered cigars. Cannot be combined with other

offers or discounts. Limit one discount given per customer per day. Must present this coupon for redemption. Cannot be redeemed for cash.

No photocopies accepted. EXPIRES 1/31/2016. TS

www.LVPaiuteSmokeShop.com

SERVING LAS VEGAS SINCE 1978THE ONLY TRIBAL SMOKE SHOP IN LV

Snow Mountain Smoke Shop

11525 NU-WAV KAIV BLVD, LV, NV 89124

(702) 645-2957

Las Vegas Smoke Shop

1225 N. MAIN STREET, LV, NV 89101

(702) 366-1101

$.99 for

a Muffin

*(Plus appl. tax). Limit one coupon per customer per visit. Coupon and barcode must be presented at time of purchase. Shop must retain coupon.

No substitutions allowed. No cash refunds. Void if copied or transferred and where prohibited or restricted by law. Consumer must pay applicable tax. May not be combined with any other coupon, discount, promotion combo

or value meal. Coupon may not be reproduced, copied, purchased, traded or sold. Internet distribution strictly prohibited. Cash redemption

value: 1/20 of 1 cent. © 2014 DD IP Holder LLC. All rights reserved. Expires: 2/6/2016

Use PLU#2601 if barcode fails to scan.

Player Special at Both Locations. Daily 8:00am - 2:30pm

FREE Lunch

with $20 Max Coin Play

*Must be a player to redeem. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Management reserves all rights. Limit of one (1) free offer per person. Expires 1/31/16.

1350 E TROPICANA AVE LAS VEGAS NV 89119 4755 SPRING MOUNTAIN RD LAS VEGAS NV 89102

(702) 739-8676 (702) 876-4733

www.crownandanchorlv.com

BUDWEISER /

BUD LIGHT 12pk

Bottle or Can

$

9.99

One coupon per person. Cannot be combined with any other coupon. Coupon must be present. Management reserves all rights. Exp. 1/23/16.

6030 W. WINDMILL LN.,

LAS VEGAS, NV 89139

(702) 222-3030

8544 BLUE DIAMOND, LAS VEGAS, NV 89178

“Largest Cold Craft Beer Selection”

(702) 629-2992

BEER • WINE • CIGARSFree $10

gift card

to Bravo! Larsen’s or GEN*

*must present this coupon to guest services located on the upper level near Macy’s.

One gift card per person while supplies last. Offer expires 1/31/16.

GALLERIA AT SUNSET

1300 W SUNSET RD, HENDERSON, NV 89014

Flamingo Bugsy’s Cabaret3555 LAS VEGAS BLVD. SOUTH

LAS VEGAS, NV 89109

SAVE

$10

on General Admission Seating

One coupon per person. Cannot be combined with any other coupon.

Coupon must be present. Management reserves all rights. Expires 1/31/16.

Buy One Entrée

Get the Second FREE

or come in by yourself and get 50% OFF!

— Catering Available —

*Valid only at participating locations. Not valid with any other offer. Not valid on Mondays. One coupon per order. “Buy One, Get One” offers

valid on item of equal or lesser value only. Customer pays sales tax. Not for sale or resale. Void where prohibited. Cash value 1/100¢.

No cash back. Additional exclusions may apply. Expires 1/24/16. Code: TSD © 2016 Moe’s Franchisor LLC

www.moes.com

RAINBOW BLVD.6910 S. RAINBOW BLVD. #100, LV NV 89118

(702) 778-4770

DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN10965 LAVENDER HILL DR. #120, LV NV 89135

(702) 724-0400

the sunday66

We Want to hear from you Send your thoughts to [email protected]. 17 - jan. 23

PReMieR CROssWORd tOP dOWnlOads Of the Week (as Of jan. 14)

across1 Opera start5 “Yes, yes, Juan!”9 Take — (taste some)13 Cheeky type19 Road, in German20 Foretoken21 Lovett of country22 No longer surprised by23 Ram forcefully?26 Frito Lay chip27 December mall hirees28 Teeny29 Greeting sent by a cosmetics company?31 “Agnus —”32 Cache34 Southeast Kansas city35 Where lots of mail deliverers scuba-dive?40 Not at all nigh44 Most robust45 Kazan of film directing46 Hilo “hello”47 In days past48 “Lo-o-ovely!”49 Set crossword hints to music?53 Prefix with pathology56 The Big Apple, briefly58 Fissile rock59 Midday sleep60 Divide by type62 Contract out66 TV title alien67 Water whirl68 Required maintenance items?73 Face cover76 From — Z77 Big fair78 Character82 “Scat!”83 Prologue85 Upsilon’s follower88 Qdoba treats89 Inelegant five-member band?94 66-Across et al.96 Salt’s “Help!”97 Muslim palace area98 Haul around99 Number of magazine subscribers, e.g.

102 Writer Haley103 Long to look at a periodic table?107 Feng —108 Poetry Muse109 White-haired110 Library cubicle in which Chablis is served?116 Jackie O.’s “O”117 New York state prison120 Is wild for121 Writes hacky computer programs?124 Chemist’s “I”125 Nursing school subj.126 Bit of help127 In awe128 Naval units129 Car-lot sticker abbr.130 Barley brews131 Guru’s discipline

DoWn1 Essentials2 “Fame” star Irene3 Very loud4 Alternatively5 — -chef6 Unruly kid7 Fit for sailing8 Ready to be driven9 Pugilist Muhammad10 Harmony11 1942 role for Ingrid12 “The Dick Van Dyke Show” surname13 Ballet dancer Nureyev14 “Sitting on — ...” (“Mrs. Robinson” lyric)15 Blood bank fluids16 Nero’s 40417 Quintillionth: Prefix18 “Crazy” bird24 Aristide’s land25 Eagles’ nests30 Female deer32 Is sporting33 Hoagie shop35 Its capital is Accra36 Is very angry37 Co. kahuna38 — Tin Tin39 Tatty cloths40 Exclusively

41 Ran across42 In the future43 Harsh-toned46 Top gun50 Spicy cuisine51 Stop moving52 Pixieish54 Stone55 — pro nobis57 Amigo of Fidel61 Sedative drug, informally63 Berg stuff64 Stout of mysteries65 Seer’s skill67 This, to Pedro69 Dying rebuke70 “Me neither”71 Sponge up72 Scarf down73 Coffee flavor74 Auditory75 Rubberneck79 West Coast coll. in La Jolla80 Hen’s perch81 Swirly letters83 Suffix with 90-Down84 Being aired, in a way86 Like religious dissenters87 Writer Calvino90 Gender91 Tip of a sock92 Suffix with major93 Azadi Tower locale95 Holy Fr. woman100 Ham it up101 City-circling route103 Goes after104 1921 Karel Capek play105 Stability-improving auto part106 Vocalist Kitt107 Hound’s trail110 Homeless kid111 Sacred cow112 Center point113 The “E” of HOMES114 Practically forever115 Jet name117 Gets the total118 Stop up119 Kelp, e.g.122 Brand of motor oil123 A single For answers to this week’s puzzles, go to Page 49

KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2015 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by Universal Uclick for UFS. www.kenken.com

Each row and each column must contain the

numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging)

without repeating.

The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes,

called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the

target numbers in the top-left corners.

Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the num-

ber in the top-left corner

albums on itunes

“Blackstar” David Bowie, $9.99

“Best of Bowie” David Bowie, $9.99

“25” Adele, $10.99

“The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust”

David Bowie, $7.99

“These Days” Mike Stud, $8.99

free apps

Candy Crush Jelly Saga Games

Piano Tiles 2 Games

Color Switch Games

Geometry Dash Meltdown Games

Surfingers Games

1

2

3

5

4

“9 B.C.” By frank longo

1/17/2016 ©2016kingfeaturessyndicate

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2016-01-17 - The Sunday - Las Vegas

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