The Downtown Project was envisioned as a five-year plan to develop a hub of start-ups, small businesses, and cultural attractions in Downtown Las Vegas, but things haven't gone according to schedule.
Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh had a vision to create a community built around tech start-ups and small businesses in Downtown Las Vegas, however four years after announcing the Downtown Project, which has seen an investment of $350 million by Hsieh, the entrepreneurial paradise he envisioned has yet to come to fruition. Aimee Groth reports in Quartz that the Downtown Project has suffered a series of set-backs that have tempered hopes for the quick creation of a new community that many had hoped would fuel a burgeoning start-up scene in Las Vegas.
In early 2014, Downtown Project removed the word “community”—originally the lynchpin of its messaging—from its mission statement and core values. In February of this year, Downtown Project’s co-working space nearly shut down. Container Park has become a tourist destination but not the world’s shipping container capital. And The Vegas Tech Fund (now rebranded as VTF Capital) partners say they made too many investments too quickly. A few weeks ago, Downtown Project’s new CEO stepped down.
Groth reports that Hsieh, speaking at the Recode Conference earlier this month in Las Vegas, expressed regret that he did not focus on building affordable housing as part of his plans. Current housing in the area is in the high-end and low-end of the price spectrum, with very little in between.
FULL STORY: How Tony Hsieh’s vision to create the ideal startup city faltered
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.