Thread Rating:

smoothgrh
smoothgrh
  • Threads: 86
  • Posts: 1250
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
Thanked by
bobbartop
August 17th, 2019 at 7:56:56 PM permalink
EatMoreArtVegas.com has started a petition on gopetition.com to stop Debbie Reynolds Drive from being renamed to Majestic Plaza Place.

Here's an excerpt of their petition:
A request to rename the road dedicated as Debbie Reynolds Drive will return to the Clark County Planning Commission on Aug. 20.

Lorenzo Doumani is a developer seeking to change Debbie Reynolds Drive, asked the commission to hold his request for two weeks on Tuesday, when it was expected to be heard in front of the board, according to the county.

Doumani wants the roughly 1,000-foot street running between Convention Center Drive and Desert Inn Road to be renamed Majestic Plaza Place to reflect his planned and recently approved five-star hotel along the road — Majestic Resort and Spa.

This request by a developer to eliminate the name of a Las Vegas legend whose story is integral to the iconic status of our city must not go unchallenged.

---
They urge people to email the commission at: zoning@ClarkCountyNV.gov

Here's what I wrote to them:

Please don’t change the name of Debbie Reynolds Drive!

In 1996, when I was 26 years old, I went out of my way during my second-ever Vegas visit because I wanted to see the casino/museum space that longtime Las Vegas entertainer Debbie Reynolds had created for the community. It was a beautiful attraction—featuring Hollywood memorabilia that Ms. Reynolds personally purchased at auction so could she could share it with movie fans in Vegas. I saw her show with my parents, and afterward she took photos with audience members and signed autographs—a true Las Vegas class act.

Her impact on Las Vegas must not be erased from memory. In my last Vegas trip, I stumbled upon Frank Sinatra Drive—Ms. Reynolds, who is a 2005 Gaming Hall of Fame inductee, deserves just as much recognition as Mr. Sinatra. Please don't change her street name. Thank you!
Last edited by: smoothgrh on Aug 17, 2019
bobbartop
bobbartop
  • Threads: 133
  • Posts: 2594
Joined: Mar 15, 2016
August 17th, 2019 at 8:58:22 PM permalink
I wonder if this "Majestic" thing is going to be a casino or just a hotel. I briefly tried to look it up and didn't find an answer. Do you know?
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
smoothgrh
smoothgrh
  • Threads: 86
  • Posts: 1250
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
August 18th, 2019 at 12:18:38 AM permalink
In doing some research for my trip report, I noticed that the Doumani family name was once associated with owning the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, and the 5-acre parcel where the former historical La Concha and El Morocco motels and casino were.

And the grandfather of the family, Malick Doumani, came to North America from Lebanon on a ship called "Majestic"—so my guess is a casino is in the works.
MaxPen
MaxPen
  • Threads: 13
  • Posts: 3634
Joined: Feb 4, 2015
Thanked by
smoothgrhbobbartop
August 18th, 2019 at 12:28:05 AM permalink
A non gaming property.
https://majesticlasvegas.com/
DRich
DRich
  • Threads: 86
  • Posts: 11595
Joined: Jul 6, 2012
August 18th, 2019 at 7:31:28 AM permalink
I am all for changing it. Look to the future, not the past.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
billryan
billryan
  • Threads: 240
  • Posts: 16282
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
August 18th, 2019 at 10:39:44 AM permalink
Does anyone know what Tropicana, Flamingo and Sahara were known as before the casinos?
I've been looking for a street map of 1930s/40s Vegas for awhile without much success.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Doc
Doc
  • Threads: 46
  • Posts: 7287
Joined: Feb 27, 2010
August 18th, 2019 at 11:37:40 AM permalink
My naive impression is that the streets did not exist prior to the casinos. There was a highway toward LA, and casinos were constructed along it. Cross roads were constructed to give access to loading areas, parking areas, etc., and the neighborhood boomed from there. Of course, I just made that up in my head, but it is what I surmised about how a string of casinos was developed out in the desert. Build your own casino, build the roads around it, and name them whatever you like.
billryan
billryan
  • Threads: 240
  • Posts: 16282
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
August 18th, 2019 at 1:18:03 PM permalink
Quote: Doc

My naive impression is that the streets did not exist prior to the casinos. There was a highway toward LA, and casinos were constructed along it. Cross roads were constructed to give access to loading areas, parking areas, etc., and the neighborhood boomed from there. Of course, I just made that up in my head, but it is what I surmised about how a string of casinos was developed out in the desert. Build your own casino, build the roads around it, and name them whatever you like.



If you drive east on any of those streets, you'll find neighborhoods that predate the casinos. I have to assume the roads were there first.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
MaxPen
MaxPen
  • Threads: 13
  • Posts: 3634
Joined: Feb 4, 2015
August 18th, 2019 at 1:29:01 PM permalink
Tropicana was Bond Rd before the casino.
bobbartop
bobbartop
  • Threads: 133
  • Posts: 2594
Joined: Mar 15, 2016
Thanked by
smoothgrh
August 18th, 2019 at 3:12:30 PM permalink
Quote: DRich

I am all for changing it. Look to the future, not the past.



Frank and Dino have their streets, they're from the past and I don't think we want to change those streets. I vote for keeping Debbie around. She was just as "Vegas" as Frank and Dino.
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
MDawg
MDawg
  • Threads: 39
  • Posts: 7218
Joined: Sep 27, 2018
August 18th, 2019 at 3:58:00 PM permalink
Probably one of those situations where changing the street name to match the incoming casino was part of the over all incentive package that the government is giving the casino in exchange for its plunking all that money into the project.
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
smoothgrh
smoothgrh
  • Threads: 86
  • Posts: 1250
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:01:30 PM permalink
Ten-day-old news:

According to a message from Clark County lobbyist Jay Brown to Eat More Art Vegas: "the applicant is holding this matter for 6 months so we can work with the County to find another location suitable to have the Debbie Reynolds name. After the new location has been approved, we will go forward with the name change at this location."
Rigondeaux
Rigondeaux
  • Threads: 30
  • Posts: 2549
Joined: Aug 18, 2014
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:38:38 PM permalink
Quote: DRich

I am all for changing it. Look to the future, not the past.



The past is interesting. Though, I suppose I'm in the minority here. But, the future and the past are part of the same story.

There's a big street in Vegas called Lamb. When I found out it was named for the old school Shariff who used to do things like randomly beat the crap out of guys in the mob and tell him to get the f out of his town, it made Vegas a little bit richer of a place to be for me.

To me, a street named after an entertainment icon of past generations is a lot more interesting than some soulless, generic name a developer came up with.

Actually reminds me, when I did ride share and stuff... I never realized how bad these people are at naming streets. It is like a comedy sketch. American Freedom Eagle USA #1 Drive. One area, all of the streets are different kinds of coffee. Not only painfully lame, but also confusing.

One I've always noticed is when they try to make it easier by clumping a bunch of similar sounding streets together. Like, it's supposed to make it EASIER to find someone's house because it is an area where the street names are Rider, Riser, Rainer, Rainman, Raymon, etc.
Ayecarumba
Ayecarumba
  • Threads: 236
  • Posts: 6763
Joined: Nov 17, 2009
September 23rd, 2019 at 7:03:43 PM permalink
Quote: Rigondeaux

The past is interesting. Though, I suppose I'm in the minority here. But, the future and the past are part of the same story.

There's a big street in Vegas called Lamb. When I found out it was named for the old school Shariff who used to do things like randomly beat the crap out of guys in the mob and tell him to get the f out of his town, it made Vegas a little bit richer of a place to be for me.

To me, a street named after an entertainment icon of past generations is a lot more interesting than some soulless, generic name a developer came up with.

Actually reminds me, when I did ride share and stuff... I never realized how bad these people are at naming streets. It is like a comedy sketch. American Freedom Eagle USA #1 Drive. One area, all of the streets are different kinds of coffee. Not only painfully lame, but also confusing.

One I've always noticed is when they try to make it easier by clumping a bunch of similar sounding streets together. Like, it's supposed to make it EASIER to find someone's house because it is an area where the street names are Rider, Riser, Rainer, Rainman, Raymon, etc.



I’m fine with any name as long as it isn’t also a direction. What good does South Street do anyone? And double potholes to cities that add quadrants to addresses: 111 W. Oak Street Northwest.

Chicago does it best. Letters one way and numbers the other.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
tringlomane
tringlomane
  • Threads: 8
  • Posts: 6281
Joined: Aug 25, 2012
September 24th, 2019 at 12:50:30 AM permalink
Quote: smoothgrh

Ten-day-old news:

According to a message from Clark County lobbyist Jay Brown to Eat More Art Vegas: "the applicant is holding this matter for 6 months so we can work with the County to find another location suitable to have the Debbie Reynolds name. After the new location has been approved, we will go forward with the name change at this location."



And this is the right thing to do, imo.

Many hotels have drives named after them. But I do agree Debbie Reynolds still deserves a street name as well.
Joeman
Joeman
  • Threads: 36
  • Posts: 2409
Joined: Feb 21, 2014
Thanked by
Ayecarumba
September 24th, 2019 at 8:02:45 AM permalink
Quote: Ayecarumba

I’m fine with any name as long as it isn’t also a direction. What good does South Street do anyone? And double potholes to cities that add quadrants to addresses: 111 W. Oak Street Northwest.

When in Miami, you can take a drive on North West South River Drive!
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
rxwine
rxwine
  • Threads: 209
  • Posts: 12164
Joined: Feb 28, 2010
September 24th, 2019 at 9:58:19 AM permalink
I really never understood the appeal of Jimmy Durante, but there is a road in Vegas named after him.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
Boz
Boz
  • Threads: 155
  • Posts: 5701
Joined: Sep 22, 2011
September 24th, 2019 at 11:20:27 AM permalink
Quote: rxwine

I really never understood the appeal of Jimmy Durante, but there is a road in Vegas named after him.



Jimmy in Frosty the Snowman was a great childhood memory.
DRich
DRich
  • Threads: 86
  • Posts: 11595
Joined: Jul 6, 2012
Thanked by
Ayecarumba
September 24th, 2019 at 3:00:31 PM permalink
Quote: Ayecarumba



Chicago does it best. Letters one way and numbers the other.



That is how every place should do it.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
Ayecarumba
Ayecarumba
  • Threads: 236
  • Posts: 6763
Joined: Nov 17, 2009
September 24th, 2019 at 4:17:31 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

Does anyone know what Tropicana, Flamingo and Sahara were known as before the casinos?
I've been looking for a street map of 1930s/40s Vegas for awhile without much success.



Sahara used to be San Francisco Street, and Flamingo used to be Dunes Road (Then Dunes-Flamingo for a time).
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
  • Jump to: