City Of Las Vegas: Reimagined James Gay III Park

Las Vegas NV

16 June, 2022

10:50 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Las Vegas: June 14, 2022 Project History: In the development of the HUNDRED PLAN (Historic Urban Neighborhood Design Redevelopment) Plan for the Historic Westside, the community described their frustration over the closing of James Gay III Park. Reimagining the park with the public's input will create a thriving, vibrant space for the community. The park was named after James Arthur Gay III, one of the best known and most admired local black leaders of his generation who played a fundamental role in desegregating the Las Vegas Strip, among other things. He died in 1999. The location of James Gay III Park has created challenges in terms of use and activation. In 2013, the five-acre park was closed after issues with criminal activity and significant increases in homeless encampments; it was gated and locked and has remained closed since. The reopening and activation of the park is a critical element to supporting the community and culture of the Historic Westside. The strategy for a reimagined James Gay III Park envisions a focus on health, recreation, economic development, community-building and an opportunity to establish the Historic Westside as a resilient and sustainable community. Project Plans: Currently, James Gay Park is home to a playground and activity area, skate park and basketball courts. Some of those elements are proposed to remain, while other community amenities will be refreshed and added to, including the addition of a plaza for events. The first phase of developments in the park will include a community owned grocery store and an urban farm housed inside shipping container growing facilities. These projects will bring new life and energy to the park while also providing fresh produce, community learning facilities, workforce options and opportunities to bring seniors, family and youth together. Future phases include the addition of large-scale vertical urban agriculture integrated with housing. Estimated Urban Farms – Shipping container component - Timeline: Project was approved by the city of Las Vegas Planning Commission on 4/12/2022.Las Vegas Valley Water District approved project on 5/9/2022.Tentative date to receive building permit is week of 5/16/2022.Bidding phase of project begins week of 5/23/2022; open for 45 days.Construction phase of project begins week of 7/5/2022; 60 days of construction. Grow containers arrive on site week of 9/6/2022. Partnerships: MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) provided a $500,000 philanthropic contribution to the city of Las Vegas, via the Mayor's Fund for Las Vegas LIFE and its fiscal agent, Nevada Community Foundation, Inc. to acquire two ready-built, plug-and-play container growing facilities. The pre-built 40-foot shipping containers (manufactured by Freight Farms in Boston) are climate-controlled and can operate year-round, providing approximately 320 square feet of vertical growing space, and producing the output of nearly 3.5 acres of flat farming each, or 8 tons of produce. The containers provide diversified crop production capability – their systems can grow lettuce, leafy greens, herbs, vining berries and vegetables, rooted vegetables and flowers, allowing for the growth of produce that is needed and desired by its residents. Once the container operations are launched, they will provide their first harvestable crops within eight weeks. (Will we address other partnerships here or only those who've given money? Jabez Steering Committee? Obodo? Frequently asked questions Why a co-operative market and urban farm? Historic Westside residents experience 25.5% food insecurity, the highest in the Las Vegas Valley, and 45% of residents are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Public schools participate in the free lunch program, and 98% or more of the students in that area are eligible. The absence of any full-service grocery store, market or restaurant operating within the neighborhood means access to healthy food is extremely limited. There are currently seven food pantries operating within the boundaries of the Historic Westside neighborhood, all of them with varied operating hours, and limited access to healthy food options. What is a co-operative market? Co-operative markets are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. Members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. Some of the guidelines established for co-operative markets, include: Voluntary and open membershipManaged by the members who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisionsEconomic participation from all members Education and training provided for members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operativesPolicies are approved by members What about the existing grocery stores? The co-operative grocery store is not a competitor to existing resources. It is filling a niche that has been nearly void for many years. The urban farm will enhance offerings to the public. At the same time the city is helping existing stores expand. For example, Mario's Market was recently awarded $1 million in city of Las Vegas ARPA funding. This press release was produced by the City of Las Vegas. The views expressed here are the author's own.