Reimagined James Gay III Park

Reimagined James Gay III Park

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 III 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.

At a recent council meeting, the council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city of Las Vegas and Vertical Harvest, Inc. to explore the development of a vertical urban farm and potential affordable housing on a portion of James Gay Park between Harrison Avenue and B Street. The MOU will allow Vertical Harvest, Inc. the ability to conduct a feasibility analysis to develop a 70,000 square foot vertical farm with the potential for auxiliary affordable housing and parking on approximately 2 acres on the north end of James Gay Park in the Historic Westside.

Vertical farming involves the growing of crops in many layers, one above the other, inside a building or under the ground, often in a specially controlled environment. Vertical farming increases food supply without using more land, and cuts down on food transportation costs by putting food within city limits. The vertical farm would create food and jobs that would directly benefit the Historic Westside community. The strategies to be explored in the MOU with Vertical Harvest, Inc. include:

View the rendering of the finished urban farm project.

The shipping containers are scheduled to be delivered in early 2023. The vertical farm project and housing project is expected to break ground in the second half of 2023. The city is also working on plans for a community-owned grocery store, with a delivery time to be determined. All of 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.

These projects were informed by the HUNDRED PLAN (Historic Urban Neighborhood Design Redevelopment) for the Historic Westside, which was developed in 2016 as a plan for community-led investment in the Historic Westside. One of the priorities established in the plan was to reopen James Gay Park, which has been closed for many years, with diverse community-serving uses.

Estimated Urban Farms - Shipping container component - Timeline:

• Project was approved by the city of Las Vegas Planning Commission April 12, 2022.
• Las Vegas Valley Water District approved project May 9, 2022.
• Tentative date to receive building permit was week of May 16, 2022.
• Bidding phase of project began week of May 23, 2022; open for 45 days.
• Construction phase of project to begin in second half of 2022.

Frequently asked questions

Why a co-operative market and urban farm?

Historic Westside residents experience 25.5 percent food insecurity, the highest in the Las Vegas valley, and 45 percent of residents are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Public schools participate in the free lunch program, and 98 percent 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 membership;
• Managed by the members who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions;
• Economic 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-operatives;
• Policies 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.