Proposed F Street art draws criticism

However, the 16 panel displays were met with opposition from community members who believed some of the artwork did not depict the Historic Westside. Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow attended the event, which drew about 50 to 75 people.

In 2011, before meeting with Barlow, representatives from the state Department of Transportation and the Atkins architecture firm, three workshops were held. Community members provided their input on what they wanted depicted in the artwork in terms of historical figures and events.

Trish Geran, who chairs the F Street Coalition, said that although residents were pleased to see progress with the project, they were taken aback by some of the images.

“The panels, first of all, were really beautiful,” Geran said. “They really reflected some of the historical highlights, but some people I talked to were really taken by Councilman Barlow (pictured in one of the panel options). They wanted pioneers of this area.”

Though residents seemed unhappy with the panel options , some were satisfied with the meeting and the project’s progress.

“I think the meeting was effective,” resident Ruth D’Hondt said. “I’m looking forward to the groundbreaking, and I’m happy with the process so far.”

Community members were invited to view the panel options during the meeting and vote on their top 12 selections. Artwork included the Moulin Rouge agreement signing in 1960, ending discrimination of blacks in the hotel-casinos; the Historic Westside School; national civil rights leaders; black musicians; the Moulin Rouge Hotel; and more.

Geran said people were frustrated with the voting structure, as they wanted to make various changes to the panels before having a final say on what artwork should be displayed.

“All we wanted to do was change a couple of panels and replace some of the people who were represented,” Geran said. “There were just as many females who were pioneers that we could put in there. That was like asking for the world. It makes us seem like we were ungrateful (for the work), but that wasn’t the case.”

Attendees were encouraged to make comments about the artwork on provided forms at the meeting, which Barlow said would be taken into consideration as the process continues. Little feedback was submitted in writing, city spokeswoman Diana Paul said.

“We only received a couple of forms back from people at the meeting with two written comments,” Paul said. “The panels reflect the direct input from the residents during our design workshop back in November. Perhaps the people at the meeting were not at the workshop before. We’re really trying to go with the focus on what the community wanted, and we really want to stick with the public’s desire.”

Paul said city officials would look at the comments and assess whether any panels needed major changes before moving forward . Barlow expressed to community members the importance of having final plans for the panels before the street’s construction phase, which is slated to begin this summer and be completed by late 2013.

Geran, who has fought to bring F Street back to the forefront since it was closed in 2008, looks forward to its reopening with optimism.

“I just want to get to the point where we have the groundbreaking,” Geran said. “We want to develop the soul of Las Vegas, which is the Historic Westside. We’re always looking out for the tourists. I think if we develop this area, we would be looking out for the residents and the tourists, as well.”

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-4686.