LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Those who have traveled on the Maryland Parkway recently have seen the influx of construction indicating the ever-changing face of Las Vegas. Residents and businesses in the area say it’s a good sign.
“Some of the most iconic parts of the city and the most historic parts are all centered around this thoroughfare,” Mallory Gott, co-owner and general manager of Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner, said.
Maryland Parkway extends from the South Strip Transit Terminal in the south to the Las Vegas Medical District in the north. Upgrades are underway for the historic portion of the parkway near Charleston Boulevard.
“I’ve been here for about 20 years in Las Vegas,” Nathan Sigal, a homeowner in the area, said. “I’ve lived all over town, and it’s just been really fulfilling and beautiful to see how this downtown community especially has evolved.”
Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner and Yukon Pizza are just two of the businesses that say the major construction projects are indicative of growth and change in the area.
“It’s really cool to see what’s going on and the idea that the city is investing in infrastructure to give people a chance to go from end to end, whether they’re on a bike, whether they’re in their car, whether they’re in transit,” Gott said.
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) data indicates that Maryland Parkway is one of the most utilized routes in their network, surpassing The Strip in terms of passengers per mile and boardings per hour. The Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit Project is the latest construction project – aimed at improving mobility for everyone along this corridor.
“The proximity. It’s right in the heart of everything,” Sigal said. “You have this very mid-century modern feel, and I feel like there’s a disproportionate amount of young, funky, somewhat affluent groups of people moving here, so it’s bringing a lot of change.”
The historic Huntridge Theatre is also expected to be revamped in the near future, preserving a piece of history while welcoming a new chapter.
“You may have known us 20 years ago, but look at us now. We’re different. We’ve got something new to offer,” Gott said. “We’re a place that’s worth visiting just like any other neighborhood or any other area of the city that people have come to love.”
The Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit Project is expected to be completed in 2026. Residents and business owners say construction is a small price for a greater return in the long run as more people visit and experience this side of Las Vegas.
