Historic preservation staff reports SHPO reviews, National Register update; commissioner proposes Charleston Boulevard survey

At the May 2025 meeting of the City of Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission, staff provided multiple updates on ongoing preservation work and the commission considered a future agenda item proposing a historic resources survey for Charleston Boulevard.

Dr. Seabrent, the city's historic preservation officer, reported that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review is still pending for the Cliff May Home survey; the Old Mormon Fort nomination will be on the State Historic Preservation Review Board's Sept. 11 meeting; the West Side School nomination to the National Register of Historic Places was accepted by the Keeper of the National Register in Washington, D.C.; and a historical report for Floyd Lamb Park is in progress. Dr. Seabrent also promoted Pioneer Heritage Day at the Old Mormon Fort on June 14, a free public event.

Commissioner Laramie requested that the commission consider a historic resources survey and preservation plan for Charleston Boulevard, focusing primarily on East Charleston and including Googie-style buildings and legacy businesses that could be affected by ongoing transit and redevelopment studies. "I think it would be important to start thinking about how they fit into those future plans and what appropriate ... protections might look like," Laramie said.

Community Development Department staff (Michael Habb, on the record as Community Development) reported no additional updates from the department director at the meeting. Commissioners discussed defining a survey boundary and suggested city building-date records could be used as a starting point to scope the survey.

The commission did not take formal action on the Charleston Boulevard proposal at the meeting; the item was raised as a proposal for a future agenda and will follow the commission's process for placing items on upcoming agendas.