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Las Vegas Boulevard, from Washington Avenue to Sahara Avenue, has been designated a National Scenic Byway, the culmination of a 9-year effort by the city of Las Vegas. This designation will enhance the city’s ability to apply for federal grants to add more neon signs along the corridor. The Federal Highway Administration will also include Las Vegas Boulevard in all its marketing campaigns for the Scenic Byway Program.
In order for a roadway to be designated, it must qualify by having at least one of the following intrinsic qualities: archeological, cultural, historic, natural features, recreational or scenic. It also must have an adopted Corridor Management Plan and have been designated a state scenic byway. The cultural, historic and nighttime scenic amenities qualified Las Vegas Boulevard. However, the primary factor was due to the large amount of neon signage found along this stretch of the boulevard.
The city began its effort in 2000 to see this stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard become a National Scenic Byway. The state of Nevada designated downtown Las Vegas Boulevard as the state’s 17th scenic byway on Nov. 28, 2001. With this designation, the city was able to apply for and receive a $25,000 federal grant to develop a Corridor Management Plan outlining how the intrinsic qualities would be protected. With the communities’ involvement, this plan was adopted by the City Council on April 7, 2004. One of the goals outlined in the plan is to restore and place up to 20 historic neon signs in the median. It also called for the protection of existing neon signs and a mechanism to encourage additional neon signs in the future. The recent addition of the Horseshoe Hotel/Casino, Silver Slipper Hotel/Casino and Bow & Arrow Motel signs contribute to the scenic byway as will future signs.
The city has formed a partnership with the non-profit Neon Museum in order to finish a joint Scenic Byway/Neon Museum Visitor Center in the restored La Concha at 700 North Las Vegas Boulevard. An $809,000 National Scenic Byway grant is helping to fund this project. Congress sets aside upwards of $40 million annually to fund projects located along the nation’s scenic byways. The federal designation will enhance the city’s grant applications in the future.
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