Neighborhood groups pitch safety, parks, signage and landscaping projects for $5,000 Neighborhood Partners Fund grants

The Neighborhood Partners Fund Board heard presentations from neighborhood associations on June 9, 2025, as part of a competitive process for grants of up to $5,000. No funding decisions were made that day; the board scheduled deliberations for June 24, when it will make funding recommendations to the mayor and city council.

Buffalo Coalition Neighborhood Association: Dina Ciencietti (president) and Liana Alvarez described a neighborhood-safety and community-outreach program. Buffalo Coalition said it maintains a 172-house neighborhood watch and sends Signal alerts for suspicious activity. The group requested funds for event canopies, branded tablecloths, neighborhood-watch T-shirts and other materials to support its monthly cleanups, block parties and candidate forums.

Crestwood Neighborhood Association: Ashley Lee (president) and Freddie Godinez requested funding for permanent neighborhood signage and resident-engagement workshops (design charrettes) to define Crestwood’s boundaries and identity. The presenters said their plan involves three community design sessions, materials for a neighborhood celebration and volunteer coordination; sign size discussed was 24-by-24 inches as an approximate design dimension.

Fremont Street Loft Homeowners Association: Vanessa Conyers (president) and member John Shutt outlined a landscape-refresh and paint program tied to ongoing fire-recovery efforts. They said the complex still has about 15 units unoccupied after a large residential fire and seeks a master-plan refresh produced with Vert Studio (landscape architect) and UNLV landscape architecture students; the HOA requested $5,000 to fund design and paint work for initial phases.

Lakeside Village Homeowners Association: Martin Frow, HOA president, requested $5,000 to update an antiquated call box and access system, correct a marquee that displays the wrong community name (currently reads “Brookview”), refresh rock islands at the main entry and repaint wrought-iron gates. Frow said the community has 89 residents and the work was approved by the HOA board and attending residents.

Rainbow Family Park Neighborhood Association: Kevin Flores and Hannah Martinez described community events and safety outreach for the area around Rainbow Family Park, noting roughly 600 homes and an estimated 2,000 residents. Their request included supplies for events (ice cream, water), raffle prizes such as Ring alarm systems, giveaways, and design software to produce materials.

Rock Springs VISTA 3 (multifamily association): Robert Freeman described a plan to plant drought-tolerant trees and shrubs along Washington Avenue to improve curb appeal and property values. Freeman said the complex includes about 576 multifamily homes and presented a budget showing $12,040 in community funds, a $5,000 Neighborhood Partners request and volunteer labor valued at approximately $4,700.

Timberlake Association: Ron Calderon and treasurer Mark outlined a request to install solar lights at mailbox clusters, starting with cul-de-sac locations where visibility is poor. Timberlake said it has 289 homes and planned a phased installation beginning with six clusters to evaluate performance and finances; the solar fixture example shown is the same model used at area bus stops.

Tanglewood Homeowners Association: Representative Ultimate Lewis and board member Miriam described past use of Neighborhood Partners funds and requested $5,000 to install two permanent surveillance cameras monitored roughly eight hours per day to deter vandalism and improve park safety. Tanglewood said the development comprises roughly 275 homes and about 712 residents; presenters said footage access would be controlled through the monitoring company and a formal request process via the HOA/management for incident review and law-enforcement needs.

Board members asked clarifying questions during presentations; several presenters emphasized volunteer match, community engagement timelines, and partnerships with professional contractors or university programs. The board will consider funding recommendations at its June 24 deliberation meeting and forward recommendations to the mayor and city council for possible approval on July 16, 2025.