Neighborhood groups seek city grants for signs, landscaping, safety and park upgrades

LAS VEGAS — At the June 9, 2025 Neighborhood Partners Fund Board meeting, nine neighborhood associations presented five-minute proposals asking city grant funds for neighborhood improvements including signage, landscaping, security cameras and community events.

“Anytime there's a suspicious car or person on our neighborhood, we send out a signal alert,” Dina Ciencietti, president of the Buffalo Coalition Neighborhood Association, told the board as she described her group’s neighborhood-watch packets, monthly trash cleanups that collect “3 to 400 gallons per month,” and a request for event tents, branded tablecloths and neighborhood-watch T-shirts.

Other presenters outlined projects that the board will consider at its June 24 deliberations meeting:

- Crestwood Neighborhood Association asked for funding to design and install permanent neighborhood signs and hold community design workshops; president Ashley Lee said the group has received four prior NPF awards and expects 60+ volunteer hours for this project.

- Fremont Street Loft Homeowners Association requested $5,000 for a landscape-refresh master plan and paint refresh as part of fire-recovery work; president Vanessa Conyers said the association is partnering with Vert Studio and UNLV landscape architecture students.

- Lakeside Village HOA asked for $5,000 to replace an unreliable entry call box, correct a marquee that currently says “Brookview,” refresh entry rock and repaint wrought-iron gates; president Martin Frow said 89 residents voted in favor of the updates.

- Rainbow Family Park Neighborhood Association proposed event funding, outdoor giveaway items and raffle prizes (including Ring alarm devices) to support community gatherings and safety outreach for an area it estimates includes about 2,000 residents.

- Rock Springs Vista 3 presented a $5,000 request to plant drought-tolerant trees and shrubs along Washington Avenue to beautify a previously barren strip; treasurer Robert Freeman said last year’s adjacent strip project drew volunteer support and visible changes along the corridor.

- Timberlake Association proposed solar lights at cluster mailboxes to improve nighttime visibility at 10 cul-de-sacs; president Ron Calderon said the community of 289 homes would start with six sites and expand later.

- Tanglewood Homeowners Association described a multi-year series of park improvements funded by previous NPF awards and requested $5,000 to install two permanent security cameras monitored for extended hours to deter vandalism; presenter Ultimate Lewis said the system would be monitored by the vendor and footage would be available to the HOA or management on request for incidents.

Almost all groups requested the maximum $5,000 award and reported volunteer match hours and in-kind professional discounts. Board members asked clarifying questions about project feasibility, sign locations, HOA budgets, volunteer-hour calculations and footage access procedures for camera projects. Chair Elizabeth Becker reminded presenters to state conflicts of interest; deputy city attorney Chris Levigalio asked whether any members had conflicts before the board recessed for presentations.

The board will deliberate and make funding recommendations on June 24, 2025; recommendations will be forwarded to the mayor and city council for possible approval on July 16, 2025.