LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A roof collapse in 1995 began a decades-long period of uncertainty for the Huntridge Theater but after new funding, the community sees a success story that is still being written.
Dani White, co-founder of Yukon Pizza, has heard the skepticism before of the nearby long-promised development as she grew up in Las Vegas.
“A lot of people say I will believe it when I see it as far as the Huntridge,” White said. “I have been hearing for the last fifteen years that they were going to open back up, so I understand people’s apprehension but J Dapper and his team have been amazing.”
J Dapper, founder of Dapper Companies, presented a 20-page PowerPoint presentation to the Las Vegas City Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday to provide an update on the renovation of the 80-year-old movie house.
“We have kind of turned all of our focus on instead of design and getting to the point of turning in a set of plans,” he said, “To making sure we get into the best position of the new market tax credits, otherwise we will just not be able to qualify and get them.”
Enterprise Bank and Trust is now reserving $8 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation for the project in addition to another bank which will buy the allocation for an overall net result of nearly $2.5 million.
In 2008, the City of Las Vegas attempted to reopen the Huntridge Theater but was held back by contracts and disagreements—spurring some to become naysayers.
“To the naysayers, I would say understandably there is always hesitancy when you want to see something redeveloped and it hasn’t happened,” Mallory Gott, owner of Winnie & Ethel’s Diner, said. “I also think that any progress is the right direction and that’s been my personal experience with the Dapper Development company.”
Gott spoke to 8 News Now from inside Winnie & Ethel’s Diner where seated customers enjoyed their signature malted pancakes and waffles as well as an upscale meatloaf sandwich in a complex designed by Dapper.
“[Dapper] is a really strong believer in revitalizing the historic heart of Las Vegas and he has done that in a number of areas and in parts of the city already,” Gott said. “I believe very firmly that when he says it’s going to happen, he will continue to make every effort that he reasonably can to get it done.”
Neighbors who live behind the Huntridge Theater told 8 News Now they are excited for the project to start construction in early fall of this year and have no skepticism about the project or the developer.
Road construction along Charleston Blvd. has caused some traffic nearby but business owners said that’s the cost of preparing for the future.
“Revitalizing the city streets, the sidewalks, the urban landscaping down here, I think those are all really great leading indicators that this part of the city is on the map,” Gott said. “Not only private development but also really rehabilitating this side of the city hopefully in the eyes of the community at large.”
