McCarran to become Harry Reid International Airport on Tuesday
Las Vegas’ airport is set to officially be renamed Harry Reid International Airport on Tuesday.
A ceremony at McCarran International Airport to mark the change is expected to be attended by dignitaries, including Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, Gov. Steve Sisolak and members of the Reid family. Harry Reid, the longtime senator from Nevada, isn’t expected to appear at the event.
The Clark County Commission unanimously voted to rename the airport in February. The change was also approved by the Clark County Department of Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom headed the renaming push because of the legacy of the late Nevada Sen. Pat McCarran, the current namesake of the airport, including racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic stances.
The renaming was required to be done without the use of any taxpayer money. In October a fund set up for residents to donate to the cause met the $4.2 million threshold to carry out the first of three phases of work tied to the changeover.
The majority of the donations came from a handful of well-known Nevadans, including three $1 million donations each made by businessman Stephen Clobeck; professional gambler Billy Walters and his wife, Susan; and William and Judy Boyd.
An additional $2.8 million in donations is needed to carry out the two remaining phases.
The first phase includes changing primary signage in the surrounding outdoor areas of the airport. The second phase will cover curb to gate updates, including signage in the airport, with the third phase consisting of letterheads, stationary, business cards and concessionaire-related work. McCarran’s website and social media channels will also need to be updated to reflect the name change.
The original McCarran Field sign located at the entrance of the executive terminal off Las Vegas Boulevard will not be changed because of its historical significance.
There is no timetable for when all three phases of the renaming process will be completed.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.