Historic Preservation Commission finds Dapper Companies met 'reasonable diligence' for Huntridge rehabilitation; reduces liquidated damages

The City of Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Dec. 10 to find that Dapper Companies has exercised "reasonable diligence" toward significant progress on the Huntridge Theatre rehabilitation, triggering a contractual reduction of $38,992.50 in liquidated damages.

The commission heard a quarterly update from Jay Dapper, principal of Dapper Companies, who described an October on-site walk-through with staff, completed construction drawings by Gensler and a set of recommended interior changes from a performing-arts consultant (identified in materials as FDA) that are being evaluated. Dapper told the commission the recommended alterations are interior and would not affect the exterior or lobby elements that fall under the commission's jurisdiction.

City staff and the owner also discussed project constraints that required small civil revisions: the Charleston storm-drain construction and the Regional Transportation Commission's BRT work required moving a planned curb cut and coordinating access. Dapper said those coordination needs, plus finishing a limited set of final plan revisions, account for the schedule shifts; he estimated construction would take roughly 14–16 months once started but said he could not provide a firm start date until plans and permitting were complete.

Commissioners pressed for clarity about financing and milestones. Dapper said the project has advanced tax-credit approvals and that federal historic-tax-credit commitments and other incentives are part of the project's capital stack, but that permanent bank financing typically requires approved permits and final construction documents before lenders will commit.

The settlement that governs monitoring of the Huntridge Theatre (executed as part of the purchase agreement) assigns the commission responsibility for supervision and monitoring and establishes liquidated-damage reductions of $38,992.50 per year when the commission finds compliance. Staff told the commission the original liquidated-damage amount was $389,925; after prior reductions the current balance is $233,955. The compliance finding approved Dec. 10 reduces that balance by $38,992.50.

Chair Stottle requested that staff expand the agenda memo for the next annual compliance review and provide a more explicit milestone timeline so commissioners — particularly newer members — can track prior decisions and outstanding steps. The commission will receive further quarterly updates from Dapper as required by the settlement.