Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 25, 2026

The Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission met on March 25, 2026, at 9:00 AM (local time) with a quorum present. The meeting covered approvals, reports, and funding decisions related to historic preservation, including a National Register nomination for Johnny Toko's Roadside Boxing Gym, a website content initiative that was denied, and approval of training funds.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (February 25, 2026): Commissioner Moody abstained due to absence from the prior meeting. The motion to approve passed with the chair voting in favor.

Discussion Items

• Huntridge Theater Status Report (Item 5): Principal Jay Dapper was unable to attend. The item was deferred to the April 29, 2026 meeting via unanimous motion.
• Johnny Toko's Roadside Boxing Gym – National Register Nomination (Item 6): Staff recommended approval of $5,000 in HPC funds as a 40% match for a federal SHIPO grant ($7,200) to hire a consultant ($12,200 total) for a National Register nomination. Commissioners expressed support for uncovering the true history, with some noting the building’s architecture is not exceptional but its social history is significant. The owner, Jimmy Smith, was informed of the lack of restrictions on the National Register vs. local register. The motion passed with the added condition that the nomination include a recommendation on whether to proceed.
• National Register Properties Update (Item 7): A report on properties listed before 2000. Commissioner Stoddle recommended updating the 1981 Floyd Land Park at Thule Springs nomination. No action was taken; placed on a future agenda.
• Website Content – Centennial Commission Report (Item 8): Staff presented sample content created by consultant Jeffrey Carlson for the city’s history timeline. No action.
• Historic Blog Posts – Funding Request (Item 9): Discussion on a $31,500 contract for seven blog posts at $4,500 each (50 hours at $90/hr). Commissioners expressed concerns about cost, flexibility, and control over topics. A motion to deny the item without prejudice passed, with direction for staff to return with a more flexible approach that allows commissioner input and could include a competitive request for qualifications.
• Training for Commissioners (Item 10): Approval of $6,000 for in-person training from the National Alliance of Preservation Commissioners. Commissioners selected four one-hour topics: legal basics, enforcement and violations, preservation planning and community visioning, and social media strategies. The infill design exercise was excluded. Motion passed.
• Director’s Update (Item 11): Seth Floyd reported he will serve as acting deputy director of building and safety for at least two months, replacing Michael Cunningham who moved to public works.
• Project List Update (Item 12): Historic preservation awards nominations due April 19, 2026. The National Register nomination for the Old Mormon Fort was returned by the National Park Service with comments requesting significant changes. Staff will discuss with SHIPO and the Park Service before deciding on revisions, which may require additional funding.
• Media Report (Item 13): Staff provided a list of recent media articles on historic and archaeological resources. No questions.
• Future Agenda Items (Item 14): Commissioners requested a presentation from the city’s communications department on social media strategies, a return of the list of potential nomination updates with funding allocation, and the Huntridge Theater report for the April meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: $5,000 for Johnny Toko's Boxing Gym nomination (with recommendation clause).
• Denied: $31,500 website content contract (without prejudice).
• Approved: $6,000 for in-person training on four topics.
• Deferred: Huntridge Theater report to April 29, 2026.
• Directive: Staff to refine the blog post proposal with commissioner input and explore a competitive RFQ process.