OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency Meeting - January 21, 2026

Public MeetingsWednesday, January 21, 2026
BodyLas Vegas, Nevada
SessionPublic Meetings
DateWednesday, January 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
6:02

Okay, everybody ready?

6:04

What's happening?

6:05

Okay, we could okay.

6:07

Ready?

6:08

Okay.

6:10

Okay.

6:12

Good morning, everybody.

6:14

Uh the redevelopment agency meeting of January 21st, 2026 is called to order.

6:21

This meeting has been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the open meeting law.

6:26

These proceedings are being video recorded and can be viewed live on City of Las Vegas TV on Cox Cable Channel 2.

6:35

You could also watch the meeting live online and access other city content by visiting Las Vegas Nevada.gov slash connect.

6:44

The proceedings will be rebroadcast on City of Las Vegas TV, the Wednesday of the meeting at 8 p.m.

6:51

And also on Friday at 4 a.m.

6:53

Saturday at 7 p.m.

6:55

Sunday at 7 a.m.

6:57

and the following Monday at 5 p.m.

6:59

This building is protected by a state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression sprinkler system.

7:06

If alarms should activate during today's meeting, please evacuate using the exits at the back of the chambers out to the mezzanine, proceed out the double doors to the terrace and down the back staircase.

7:18

For anyone that has difficulty with stairs, please check with a marshal or fire official for assistance.

7:25

Once outside, assemble on the northeast corner across the street from City Hall at Lewis and First Street.

7:32

Employees wearing safety vests or our city marshals will inform you when it is safe to re-enter the building.

7:39

For public comment related to the items on the agenda, citizen participation and public hearing items, we have available a speaker card which you can complete and submit to the city clerk.

7:51

Cards are available in the clerk's office or at the rear of the chambers.

7:55

If you do not submit a card, it does not prevent you from speaking under public comment, citizen participation, or specified public hearing items.

8:14

And please note if you parked in the parking garage across the street.

9:44

Item number five is on the consent agenda.

9:56

May I have a motion for the consent agenda?

9:59

Move to approve the consent agenda.

10:00

Please vote.

10:05

Post.

10:06

Motion carries.

10:10

We will now hear items six through nine together, but act on them separately.

10:17

I uh agenda item number six, RA-1-2026.

10:23

Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution, finding the proposed changes to amend the business security grant incentive program by the City of Las Vegas redevelopment agency to include buildings with re without retail storefronts and tattoo shops as an eligible business type to be in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan and authorizing the approval of the changes by the agency.

10:53

Note this item is related to council item 31, R1-2026.

11:00

Number seven, RA-2-2026.

11:04

Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution, finding the proposed change uh changes to the commercial visual improvement program by the City of Las Vegas redevelopment agency to be in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan and authorizing the approval of the changes by the agency.

11:26

Please note this item is related to council item 32, R 2-2026.

11:32

Item number eight, RA-3-2026.

11:37

Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution, finding the proposed changes to a multifamily residential unit improvement program and a multifamily residential visual improvement program and the creation of the multifamily renovation incentive program by the City of Las Vegas redevelopment agency to be in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan and authorizing the approval of the changes by the agency.

12:06

Please note this item is related to council item 33, R3-2026.

12:13

Item number nine, RA-4-2026.

12:18

Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution, finding the proposed creation of the tenant improvement incentive program by the City of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency to be in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan and authorizing the approval.

12:36

Note this item is related to council item 34, R-4-2026.

12:43

These items are in redevelopment areas one and two, wards one, three, and five, Mr.

12:49

Knutson, Ms.

12:50

Diaz, and Miss Summers Armstrong.

12:52

Ms.

12:52

Babski, hello.

12:54

Good morning, Mayor.

12:54

Good morning, City Council members.

12:59

And a little background on all of these items.

13:01

The redevelopment agency has since 2015 been offering a set of different incentives to essentially achieve our goal of revitalization and eliminating blight in the downtown core and the redevelopment area in general.

13:15

The incentives that we have had since 2015 have not been updated since then, and a lot of things as we know have changed.

13:21

So it's time that we bring them forward to modernize them a bit and present some changes.

13:27

And some incentives that I will talk about this morning are actually new.

13:30

Um and some are recent.

13:32

So with that, I'd like to move forward to uh to the very first one on the list is our uh most recent incentive, the business security program.

13:41

Um, the the reason it started uh last year is in order to address some of the dynamics and uh what started in the RS district, but general in the downtown core with some security concerns.

13:52

We started hearing that you know some security incidents were starting happening, and um after consulting with our team and the and the legal team and see how the redevelopment agency could assist in order to address that, uh we brought forward a business security program to address things that you see in front of you in these photos.

14:10

There were broken glasses, you know, businesses were getting broken into at that time.

14:14

There was a lot of theft of the HVAC systems, and so uh last year we brought for consideration the $5,000 grants to install security upgrades, and the program has been very successful since then.

14:27

We have already reimbursed seven different businesses, and seven more are in the workings now.

14:32

They're actively installing the upgrades.

14:34

So the program change that we're bringing forward for you today is actually to expand the eligibility to include not only the businesses but essentially the buildings themselves.

14:44

Um, and where that came from is uh a lot of these security upgrades can actually be uh built in during the construction of the tenant improvements rather than uh you know afterwards uh by the business.

15:00

And so when we spoke with the business with the property owners as well as the builders who do the tenant improvements, it was brought to our attention that it would be very helpful if they could apply for this grant before the business actually moves in.

15:10

So again, the rest of the program remains the same.

15:13

We're just making it eligible to where the grant can be applied for before the business moves in, and then the requirement is that they obtain and present the business license within 12 months of essentially getting the grant.

15:25

Another change is also that we will now allow tattoo shops, pardon me, to be considered eligible back in the day when the incentives were initially established back in 2015, the tattoo establishments were ineligible.

15:41

And so now we know that these are very popular places.

15:44

People love tattoo shops, and especially in the arts district, it's a form of art.

15:50

So with that, we'd like to include that.

15:54

The next one, the one you probably hear the most about here at these meetings is the commercial visual improvement program, the VIP program.

16:02

It was created to encourage property owners to uplift the facades of their buildings and make them more appealing.

16:08

Again, very popular since 2015, 2.3 million dollars has been invested by the redevelopment agency, which then leveraged almost 30 million dollars of private investment by property owners.

16:21

So essentially for every dollar that the development agency invests, uh private investors invest almost $13.

16:29

So the changes that we're proposing is currently the maximum is $25,000.

16:34

We would like to increase it to $50,000.

16:36

Construction costs, as you all know, have gone so high, especially recently, but of course, since 2015, when we established the program.

16:45

We still will require two for one match, meaning that we'll reimburse 50% of eligible costs up to 50,000.

16:52

Um and then the new portion of that is we're we would like to create a pilot program and starting with the historic West side where we will eliminate the require the match requirement.

17:03

Essentially, the full $50,000 could be made eligible for reimbursement for eligible construction costs for uh the improvements on the exterior.

17:14

Um also the rest of it is really clean up language of the program.

17:18

There was no definition of significant improvement, so we define that.

17:22

Um, another thing is we would also like to include the tattoo parlors in this one as well.

17:26

So we'd like to make it eligible across all.

17:29

Um, and then of course, uh the new construction uh is going to be ineligible because essentially what's a brand new building that's been built in the last 12 months, there's really no blight yet to be eliminated.

17:42

Um the next one is the multifamily residential improvement program.

17:47

So this is for our uh multifamily rebuilds.

17:50

Um currently, well it's also been very popular, and a lot of times it is combined with the VIP program, so there's improvement on the interior and the improvement on the exterior.

17:59

But specifically uh since 2017, the city uh or the RDA, I should say, invested uh almost a million and a half, leveraging uh thirty almost 13 million dollars in private investment.

18:10

So some of the changes on the multifamily program.

18:14

Um current, well, the first change I guess that's important is that uh previously uh we define multifamily as a four-unit dwelling, but the industry standards are actually five unit uh dwelling, so we would like to align it with the industry standards.

18:29

So we're gonna change it to five.

18:31

Uh we would also like to increase uh from $20,000 per door to $30,000 per door, again, to address all of the rising costs.

18:40

Uh, and then the rest of it really again is cleanup language.

18:43

We defined what a unit is uh and also made sure that the mass the blanket mass leasing contracts where one uh master lease C leases a whole building, you know, instead of actually uh having individual applicants, uh not applicants but residents in each unit also would be ineligible.

19:00

Um this is the brand new program that I'd like to talk about, and let me give you a little background on that.

19:06

Um, last year, our department uh when we were establishing our goals, uh, addressing office vacancy in downtown was one of our priorities or still is um as you probably see when you drive downtown, we have a lot of office buildings, and it's you know it's not difficult to tell that it's not occupied, they're not occupied because you don't see people outside, don't see people walking.

19:27

And so uh in order to start addressing that, we convened the group of property owners of those buildings as well as brokers together to see how we can all work together to address the situation.

19:39

Um, one of the things that came up during that meeting is the cost of the TI build outside reason being is a lot of our buildings in downtown are Class B, Class C office space, which is which means it's old, it's already been used before by mostly attorneys.

19:54

If you remember many years ago, there's attorneys everywhere here.

20:00

And so with all the office being built down in the Southwest, you know, it's very difficult to compete because that's brand new office space here.

20:05

We have dilapidated older buildings.

20:08

And so as difficult as it is to already attract folks downtown for certain reasons, where there's the drive, where where it's you know, perception or whatnot, having not having uh turnkey office space where they can essentially attract to already ready solution for the potential tenants is a challenge.

20:25

So they asked that we could if we could explore having a tenant improvement program.

20:30

So this is where it all started.

20:32

Uh so for your consideration today is the tenant improvement program and some of the details.

20:37

Um it's going to rebate up to 10% of the total uh improvement cost.

20:42

Uh the maximum amount of $50,000 for properties up to 5,000 square feet, and maximum amount of 95 for properties over 5,000 square feet.

20:52

Um another important part is that if you know the office buildings, they have multiple tenants, and so we made it so that essentially each tenant, each office space is eligible for its own incentive.

21:04

So it's not just one incentive per building, but rather per each project.

21:08

Uh of course, as with the RDA uh incentives, we will require uh a certain number of jobs to be created, and some of the ineligible properties uh that were identified as uh you know uh very similar to the rest of our uh incentives as the cannabis related operations uh and then uh industrial folks uh because we don't have it was specifically designed for office built out.

21:31

Uh and of course uh I would be very appreciative if you could take it out for your consideration.

21:36

Thank you.

21:37

Thank you.

21:37

Happy to answer any questions.

21:39

Thank you.

21:39

Does anybody have any questions or comments?

21:42

Yes, Mr.

21:42

Knutson.

21:44

Thank you, Mayor and thanks for the presentation and for your team that obviously put a lot of work into this.

21:48

Um and I wish I'd have asked these questions earlier, but they came to me last night.

21:51

Uh the first question is is can you um put together materials that wards one, three, and five can send out either on social media or to our constituents?

22:01

Um and then the second question is is when groups are coming in through their um planning process or permitting process, do we have any way of communicating to them what opportunities are available to the city?

22:14

Yeah, well, yes.

22:15

So we work closely with our community development department.

22:18

So uh, you know, whether if it's they're working with our client or vice versa, we always collaborate and make those incentives known.

22:25

And what was your question about?

22:26

I'm sorry, can you reply?

22:27

I'm sorry, I spoke very quickly.

22:28

Um if the wards one, three, and five, if there's opportunity to produce some marketing materials that we can send out to businesses or maybe put on our social media.

22:37

Yes.

22:40

Yeah, like bullet points on yeah, I like I send out letters to all my new businesses, so maybe if that's something I could just include in that letter.

22:47

Absolutely.

22:48

Yes, thank you very much.

22:49

That was a great job.

22:49

Thanks.

22:50

And this is what's what makes the city so innovative and creative.

22:52

So I I very much appreciate it.

22:54

Thank you.

22:54

Any other questions?

22:56

Yes, Ms.

22:56

Bruni.

22:59

Thank you, Ms.

23:00

Babski for the presentation.

23:01

I have a couple of questions.

23:02

Um do most of our peer cities have these sorts of programs?

23:08

Uh not that I'm aware of the redevelopment agency in Henderson and the redevelopment agency in North Las Vegas and the Clark County.

23:16

I don't hear about their incentives programs.

23:18

They primarily work on what the redevelopment agencies do, like public improvements and things like that.

23:22

So I believe I'm not gonna swear here by any means on my word, but I'll double check and get back to you.

23:28

I believe we're the only agency that's doing these types of incentives.

23:31

And what about on a national scale?

23:33

Um, I'll find out.

23:34

I'm sure I'll find out.

23:35

I'll follow up.

23:36

And then you mentioned that for every dollar that uh we invest in the VIP program, VIP program, uh, there's a return of 12.59 cents in a similar um multiplier for the multi-family program.

23:50

Is that you know above industry standard, or you know, how do we compare to uh I guess our peers across the country on that?

23:59

Okay, that's a great return.

24:01

Yeah, let me find out uh what the other programs nationally is, and we'll try to run some data.

24:05

Okay.

24:06

Okay, Miss Kelly.

24:09

Yeah, it should be next.

24:10

Thank you.

24:11

I know I and I just I just realized that.

24:13

My my apologies.

24:15

Ms.

24:15

Babski, thank you very much.

24:16

I appreciate the innovation that's coming from what we're trying to do.

24:22

Um I don't know if this is well, my first question is uh will these will these changes start with the new budget, or do these changes start as soon as they're approved?

24:36

Uh we plan to start them as soon as they're approved.

24:39

Um and is there money in the existing budget to satisfy the increases of of reimbursement or maybe reimbursement is the wrong word, uh contribution?

24:51

Uh three mayor.

24:53

So we when we set aside money uh or within the budget uh align item for incentives, we don't separate like we're gonna have 12 incentives for this year.

25:02

So it's a bucket of money uh that is set aside.

25:04

So essentially um if we get more, uh we can always adjust our budget, but I guess it's not limited we're just pulling from the same bucket of money.

25:14

I don't expect that we are going to exhaust all of the funds that we set aside because um especially nowadays the construction is expensive, so we are seeing a bit of a slowdown in terms of uh you know these applications coming through.

25:29

I think we'll be fine this year, but as we start the budget uh for next fiscal year, we're definitely going to expand those line items to make sure that we address the new limits.

25:40

Okay.

25:40

We're excited for.

25:41

So is that essentially if um also saying it's a first come first serve?

25:46

Like you don't know what the demand is.

25:48

Um you have a sense of what the demand's been for some of the the programs that are existing that you're expanding into the Mayor Pro Tem's point.

25:59

I'd love the same information because although I'm more two, I have a lot of residents.

26:04

I don't know where they have businesses, and um you know being a conduit for the good information, uh, so please make sure you include all of us on that uh to the extent we can get the word out.

26:16

But um anyway, back to my back to my question is um tell me a little bit how you think about you know if the demands increase you know the first the first five that apply may be able to get up to depending on what program we're talking to, the max, and then as that as the demand increases, would you start being more conservative if the if that happened in terms of how much you would give out?

26:53

I'm trying to get a sense of your thought process or of your department and how if there was a ton of demand, how you manage that money.

27:01

Thank you.

27:01

Three mayor.

27:02

Um, so we are happy to have as many applicants as possible.

27:08

Um historically, we have always budgeted more than we got applications for, so I feel very confident that you know we will be just fine.

27:19

Um so with that, for those who are watching and for you council members, uh, we will provide the information.

27:25

Please come apply because we are able to support many, many businesses.

27:31

And so while I can't give you a number, what our limit is, I can confidently say that we are fine and we'll be able to support everybody who comes and meets the requirements.

27:41

Okay, well, it's a good problem to have, right?

27:43

Um if that's the case.

27:45

I'm very excited about this.

27:46

I know that uh when we're looking at uh economic development and you know trying to get businesses to relocate to parts of the city as many tools that we can have in our toolbox that that offer if we don't if we can't write just a big check or a big abeyance or what have you, being able to uh be creative is really important, and I applaud you for for doing so.

28:14

So thank you.

28:15

Thank you.

28:15

Okay, thank you so much.

28:17

Ms.

28:17

Summers Armstrong.

28:19

Thank you, madam chair, and thank you so much, Ms.

28:21

Badsky, um, for being thoughtful and upgrading these um this language so that we have more inclusivity because we know that businesses in the downtown area might look a little bit different than businesses outside the downtown area, and we like it because we're different and and this is exciting.

28:39

My question is centered around how if we are giving um some matching dollars or supportive dollars, are we ensuring that the work that is being done meets our requirements to have small um businesses participating in the rehab?

28:57

I think that's really important.

28:58

And can you talk to me about if you all are enforcing that, if you are informing the people who are getting the money that they need to reach out to your office or whomever our person is to ensure that we have small business participation?

29:13

Yes, thank you through you, Mayor.

29:14

Um yes, we absolutely all the requirements that I listed, like the employment plan, which I believe is what you are referring to for small business participation.

29:23

Um so we have a con a consultant MBS uh firm who has been with us for a few years now.

29:30

Uh they assist us with when we meet with our applicants, uh they essentially work with MBS and they get a list of eligible business small businesses that they should be working first uh with first uh to satisfy the requirements in our programs.

29:45

Um and then the grant itself is not reimbursed until our staff goes out and validates that whatever was approved in the application actually is what was delivered, and then throughout the time that time and as well as the you know whatever follows, we have the reporting that comes out from the uh grantee that essentially reports on their small business participation, uh jobs creation, and all of those items that are part of the applications.

30:13

Thank you.

30:14

If I may, Mayor, one more question.

30:16

Um we have a multi-story uh building downtown, and the uh owner does floor number three, suite five, and they enter into a five-year agreement, and that business signs the lease, but then they for some reason pull out.

30:38

What are the limits on that order that are coming back to redo suite number five on the third floor?

30:47

Would we allow them to come back?

30:48

Do they are they prohibited for a certain amount of time?

30:51

I I would I just want us to make sure that we are cognizant that this is not a um revolving you know, checkbook, and that um we have some limits on how often you can come back.

31:04

Through you, Mayor.

31:05

So, yes, uh, councilman, we have a requirement that the five lease uh a five lease requirement is required for each project or office space.

31:15

So essentially we would look at it that within five years, they can't necessarily come back and ask for another grant for that space.

31:23

Okay, thank you so much.

31:25

Is the anybody else wishes to speak?

31:27

Yes, uh, Ms.

31:28

Diaz.

31:28

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

31:29

First and foremost, uh, I want to thank Ms.

31:32

Babski for really um and the EUD department being thoughtful of receiving the feedback of our current programs and uh acknowledging that we needed to do some modernization and some improvements to the offerings.

31:44

I know that um the tattoo shops, every time we have an offering, they are kind of left out in the cold, and it doesn't mean that they're not a solid business model contributing uh to our communities and in our business districts, it's just for some reason they were never included and they were always excluded, and it's kind of nice for them to have parity.

32:04

Um I did want to ask about what does success look like for the pilot that we're launching for the VIP, the C VIP, where we're not gonna require matching funds from the folks that are going to be investing in a convert commercial improvement, um, especially exterior.

32:26

So, what are we looking here just to see if I I understand what the vision is behind um doing the the investment without the matching funds?

32:36

Through you, Mayor, thank you, Councilman, for your question.

32:39

Uh, let me give you a little more background how we came up with the idea of the pilot.

32:43

So when we looked at all of the incentives that we have done in the last few years uh geographically, right, the historic west side uh scored the law the lowest in terms of applications coming in, uh, like really really low.

32:58

And so the idea was you know, kind of what was what were the limitations, why were not seeing anything.

33:04

And so uh after obviously speaking with businesses uh with the community, the match what which uh the match was what kind of holding people back, right?

33:14

25,000 is not easy to come up with.

33:17

And so the the goal of a targeted area in general, what we would consider a target, I would say focused area, not a targeted area, is essentially looking at you know where incentives even have being available are not being utilized, and so that's kind of where we came up with the pilot.

33:35

Um I am hoping that you know a year from now uh we'll see you know how many applications we'll get, how many businesses will actually do the work to um you know to uplift their businesses, move in and you know, start their businesses there.

33:49

And I don't have a set number in mind to really define success because we just don't have any historical data in that area, really, and so um what I'd like to do is I can update everyone quarterly and see how we're doing, and then you know, after a year of collecting data, uh, it'd be easier to kind of set the goal for success.

34:08

Right now, we just want to get something going.

34:11

I appreciate I think that it'll be helpful to glean from the impact that we will have in Ward 5 to then see if it would be suitable for other parts of the city as well.

34:23

So um, that's why I ask.

34:25

And the last one was that since the tenant improvement one is new, I just want to make clear then that this one is I think traditionally our most of the funds were applied for by the building owner, the property owner, not so much the tenant.

34:41

Um, some in some cases it is the tenant because they're doing the the the overhaul of the building, but I would say 75% of the time, sometimes it is the property owner asking for for the funds back or the matching funds.

34:53

So in the tenant improvement one, that then the people going to lease the space for up at least five years are the ones that are the applicants, correct?

35:03

Uh through you, Mayor, thank you, Councilman.

35:05

Uh both actually.

35:07

So the building owner can apply for individual space, like a you know, separate office space, as well as the tenant that's moving in can also apply, not together, not for the same grant.

35:18

Uh, but if say the building owner owner doesn't want to, the applicant can apply, but the building owner has to agree.

35:24

Okay.

35:25

So there has to be communication there between both parties.

35:29

And then um, just wanted to be clear.

35:32

Then um, if there's a building that has multiple stories or multiple offerings of suites, that's why the incentive can apply more than once to a building, correct?

35:43

That's correct.

35:44

Okay, thank you very much, Ms.

35:45

Babski.

35:46

Thank you so much.

35:47

Any other questions?

35:48

In that case, I will entertain a motion, Mayor Potem for item six.

35:55

Madam Mayor, move to approve item six.

35:57

Please vote.

35:59

Post okay.

36:12

Motion passes and item seven.

36:14

Move to approve.

36:16

Please vote.

36:20

Oops.

36:21

Ah, there we go.

36:24

Post motion passes.

36:27

Item number eight.

36:29

Move to approve.

36:30

Please vote.

36:34

Post.

36:36

Motion passes.

36:38

And item number nine.

36:40

And move to approve.

36:41

Please vote.

36:44

Post.

36:46

Motion carries.

36:48

Thank you, Ms.

36:48

Babski.

36:49

Thank you.

36:52

Okay.

36:53

We'll now move to item number 10.

37:03

Discussion for possible action to amend the city of Las Vegas redevelopment plan for the downtown Las Vegas redevelopment area, and commonly referred to as redevelopment area number one.

37:15

It affects wards one and five.

37:18

Ms.

37:18

Mr.

37:18

Knutson and Miss Summers Armstrong.

37:21

Ms.

37:21

Babski.

37:22

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

37:24

Council members, Dina Babski, Director of Economic and Urban Development.

37:27

I'd like to uh before I move on to the presentation, um, to request your approval of our amendment to the redevelopment plan for Area One.

37:38

Um, I want to mention that this with the RDA has actually done this already four times since the redevelopment area was established back in 1986.

37:48

We amended the plan in 88, 96, 2006, and the last time in 2015.

37:54

And by that, uh the amendment means we adding additional parcels that are eligible uh into the area.

37:59

So it's time we do it again.

38:03

The two parcels that we uh or the two areas that we would like to uh amend or to include into the plan are highlighted on the map below, but I'm gonna uh go into more detail about each one of them.

38:14

So this is the former Grant Sawyer site, the old state building.

38:18

Um, as you can see, it is literally like a donut hole.

38:22

Uh all of the redevelopment area is all around it.

38:25

Uh, and there's reason why it wasn't included back when the redevelopment area was initially created and through all of the other amendments.

38:33

Um it was a state building, state-owned property.

38:36

So uh essentially at that time we thought it was gonna be a state building for I don't know, years to come, decades to come.

38:42

So there was no reason it wasn't part of our redevelopment plan.

38:46

And now that we know that the state is now um selling the site uh or is trying to sell the site, of course, the plans have changed, and we would like to now include this because it completely aligns with the redevelopment uh area plan that we currently have, um, and you know its future development is going potentially be dependent on some of the redevelopment agency support that we could provide.

39:08

Um it's 22.7 acres, built in 95, and it identifies the surrounding area as a prime redevelopment area.

39:16

And then the second side is the former uh Grace Church presbyti Grace Presbyterian Church site in the medical district.

39:23

Um as you can see, another donut hole.

39:25

We have redevelopment areas all around on the north and the west, and of course, moving up to the east that you can see on the high uh over the highway.

39:32

Um, but for the similar reasons, we thought it was going to be a church site for many many years.

39:37

Uh it wasn't really, you know, as a church site, it wasn't planned to be redeveloped.

39:41

But now that the state and DOS specifically is trying to sell the site, we envision that this is going to be a great redevelopment area opportunity.

39:49

So that's the uh the the second one that we'd like to include.

39:52

It is almost five acres, uh, and just like the Grant Sawyer site, it really identifies as the medical district and surrounding area as a prime redevelopment area.

40:01

Um, if approved today, uh the redevelopment agency, which is today we're holding a public hearing.

40:06

It was posted in the review journal for a couple of weeks.

40:09

Um, if again, if we get your approval today, we will then uh post in the review journal again for another two weeks to announce another public hearing at the city council meeting on February 4th.

40:20

Um, at which time uh we'll present the recommendation of this board to the city council board.

40:25

Um, and hoping that you know at that time we'll have the first hearing of the ordinance because in order to amend the plan we have to amend the ordinance, and with the second hearing being on February 18th.

40:36

Happy to answer any questions.

40:37

Thank you.

40:38

Uh, there are any agency members that have a question or comment.

40:43

Seeing none, um uh is there a motion, Councilman Knutson.

40:48

Thank you very much, Tina.

40:49

I appreciate everything you're doing to help revitalize our downtown.

40:53

And I will move to approve.

40:55

All right, please vote.

40:57

Post.

41:02

Post.

41:03

Motion carries.

41:04

Okay.

41:05

Agenda item 11.

41:07

RA-5-2026.

41:10

Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution finding the agency reimbursement agreement between the City of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency and same page LLC concerning certain tenant improvements in connection with the retail lease between the city of Las Vegas and tenant for certain space at 70 East Bonneville Avenue, suite 150.

41:35

It's in the best interest of the public, is in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the City of Las Vegas, downtown Master Plan, and authorizing the execution of the agreement by the agency, one million dollars RDA special revenue fund, redevelopment area one, ward three, Miss Diaz.

41:56

Please note this item is related to council items 36, R 6 2026, 37 and 38, R7, R7-2026.

42:10

Ms.

42:10

Babsky.

42:11

Thank you, Mayor City Council members.

42:13

Uh, this one gonna be a short presentation because we want to save the big presentation with the detail for the council meeting.

42:19

Uh, but essentially it's a reimbursement agreement with our future tenant uh in Civic Plaza for a new restaurant.

42:27

It is an amount of one million dollars uh with 300,000 of it being reimbursable through the um amortized period of the lease.

42:35

Um again, I'd like to show the renderings during the council meeting uh and um get you all excited because it's going to be a wonderful wonderful location for us uh to visit and gather.

42:45

Um and I do want to mention that the the approval of this reimbursement agreement is contingent upon the approval of the actual lease.

42:54

All right, thank you so much.

42:56

Are there any questions from agency members?

43:00

Seeing none, is there a motion?

43:02

Councilwoman Diaz.

43:04

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

43:05

And uh just for uh my information, the initial lease is being signed for how long?

43:11

The initial thank you uh through you, Mayor.

43:13

The initial lease is 12 years with two options five years each.

43:16

Okay, awesome.

43:17

Thank you so much.

43:18

Um we're all I think looking forward to a new offering.

43:21

I think we're all foodies and we're always trying to go somewhere quick to grab grab a bite.

43:26

So we're looking forward to this new offering in our neighborhood.

43:28

So with that, I move to approve agenda item 11.

43:31

Please vote.

43:33

Post motion carries.

43:38

Thank you, Ms.

43:39

Babsky.

43:40

Agenda item 12, citizen participation.

43:44

Public comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the redevelopment agency.

43:52

No subject may be acted upon by the redevelopment agency unless that subject is on the agenda and is scheduled for action.

44:00

If you wish to be heard, come to the podium, give your name for the record.

44:04

The amount of discussion on any single subject, as well as the amount of time any single speaker is allowed, may be limited.

44:12

It will limit it to one minute.

44:14

Is there anyone wishing to speak under this portion of the agenda?

44:20

Seeing none, uh this redevelopment agency meeting is adjourned.

44:26

We will start our city council meeting in five minutes.

44:34

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████████████████62%
Technology and Innovation███████████████20%
Procedural█████████████18%
Summary of Proceedings

Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency Meeting - January 21, 2026

The Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency met on January 21, 2026, to consider several incentive program updates, an amendment to the redevelopment plan, and a tenant improvement reimbursement agreement. All agenda items were approved unanimously. The meeting was properly noticed and posted; proceedings were broadcast live and will be rebroadcast.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda Item 5 (consent agenda) was approved by motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public spoke during the citizen participation portion.

Discussion Items

  • Items 6–9 (Incentive Program Updates): Staff presented updates to four redevelopment incentive programs. Key changes included expanding the Business Security Grant to include buildings and tattoo shops; increasing the Commercial Visual Improvement Program (VIP) maximum from $25,000 to $50,000, with a pilot in the Historic West Side waiving the match requirement; adjusting the Multifamily Residential Improvement Program to five-unit minimum and $30,000 per door; and creating a new Tenant Improvement Incentive Program for office space providing up to 10% rebate (max $50,000 under 5,000 sq ft, $95,000 over) with a five-year lease and job creation requirements. Council members asked about marketing materials, comparison to peer cities, budget impacts, small business participation, and pilot success metrics. Staff confirmed funds are available and will provide quarterly updates on the pilot.
  • Item 10 (Redevelopment Plan Amendment): Staff proposed adding two parcels to Redevelopment Area One: the former Grant Sawyer site (22.7 acres) and the former Grace Presbyterian Church site (nearly 5 acres). Both are currently donut holes surrounded by the redevelopment area. The amendment was approved; a second public hearing will occur at the City Council meeting on February 4, 2026.
  • Item 11 (Reimbursement Agreement): Staff presented a $1 million tenant improvement reimbursement agreement with Same Page LLC for a new restaurant at 70 East Bonneville Avenue, Suite 150, with $300,000 reimbursable through the lease term. The initial lease is 12 years with two five-year options. Approval is contingent on lease approval at the subsequent council meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Items 6–9: Motion to approve each passed (unanimous voice votes).
  • Item 10: Motion to approve the redevelopment plan amendment carried.
  • Item 11: Motion to approve the reimbursement agreement carried.
  • No public comment was received; the meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified].

Meeting Transcript

Okay, everybody ready? What's happening? Okay, we could okay. Ready? Okay. Okay. Good morning, everybody. Uh the redevelopment agency meeting of January 21st, 2026 is called to order. This meeting has been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the open meeting law. These proceedings are being video recorded and can be viewed live on City of Las Vegas TV on Cox Cable Channel 2. You could also watch the meeting live online and access other city content by visiting Las Vegas Nevada.gov slash connect. The proceedings will be rebroadcast on City of Las Vegas TV, the Wednesday of the meeting at 8 p.m. And also on Friday at 4 a.m. Saturday at 7 p.m. Sunday at 7 a.m. and the following Monday at 5 p.m. This building is protected by a state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression sprinkler system. If alarms should activate during today's meeting, please evacuate using the exits at the back of the chambers out to the mezzanine, proceed out the double doors to the terrace and down the back staircase. For anyone that has difficulty with stairs, please check with a marshal or fire official for assistance. Once outside, assemble on the northeast corner across the street from City Hall at Lewis and First Street. Employees wearing safety vests or our city marshals will inform you when it is safe to re-enter the building. For public comment related to the items on the agenda, citizen participation and public hearing items, we have available a speaker card which you can complete and submit to the city clerk. Cards are available in the clerk's office or at the rear of the chambers. If you do not submit a card, it does not prevent you from speaking under public comment, citizen participation, or specified public hearing items. And please note if you parked in the parking garage across the street. Item number five is on the consent agenda. May I have a motion for the consent agenda? Move to approve the consent agenda. Please vote. Post. Motion carries. We will now hear items six through nine together, but act on them separately. I uh agenda item number six, RA-1-2026. Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution, finding the proposed changes to amend the business security grant incentive program by the City of Las Vegas redevelopment agency to include buildings with re without retail storefronts and tattoo shops as an eligible business type to be in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan and authorizing the approval of the changes by the agency. Note this item is related to council item 31, R1-2026. Number seven, RA-2-2026. Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution, finding the proposed change uh changes to the commercial visual improvement program by the City of Las Vegas redevelopment agency to be in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan and authorizing the approval of the changes by the agency. Please note this item is related to council item 32, R 2-2026. Item number eight, RA-3-2026. Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution, finding the proposed changes to a multifamily residential unit improvement program and a multifamily residential visual improvement program and the creation of the multifamily renovation incentive program by the City of Las Vegas redevelopment agency to be in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan and authorizing the approval of the changes by the agency. Please note this item is related to council item 33, R3-2026. Item number nine, RA-4-2026. Discussion for possible action regarding a resolution, finding the proposed creation of the tenant improvement incentive program by the City of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency to be in compliance with and in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan and authorizing the approval. Note this item is related to council item 34, R-4-2026. These items are in redevelopment areas one and two, wards one, three, and five, Mr. Knutson, Ms. Diaz, and Miss Summers Armstrong. Ms. Babski, hello. Good morning, Mayor.

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