Fremont East businesses left in the dark, pleading to the City of Las Vegas for help

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Businesses in Downtown Las Vegas are pleading for the city’s help after they say they’ve been left in the dark for years.

Amy Hybarger and Victoria Hogan own Sure Thing Wedding Chapel located in the Fremont East area of Downtown Las Vegas. Both of them reached out to 8 News Now in hopes of seeing some needed changes on their block, particularly when it comes to better lighting.

“We would like Councilwoman Diaz and the city to keep their end of the bargain up in restoring the vintage neon signs that are across from the chapel. It’s funded by Project Enchilada so a lot of city funding went into it,” Victoria Hogan told 8 News Now.

Hogan stated that Tony Hsieh’s estate and the Downtown Project were supposed to maintain the signs but haven’t due to copper wire theft.

Hybarger shared that she’s seen the improvements made to areas nearby and wants the same attention brought to where her business lies.

“We want to see the city step up for Fremont East because they are doing it for the Arts District,” Hybarger said. “It feels scarier down here because we don’t have the lighting at night, but if we were well-lit, it would feel a lot better. Main street has all of lighting and a lot more activity and socialization down there in the evening.”

Next door at, Downtown Tattoo, Charles Wicks agrees, stating that the vandalism on the block continues to get worse and they need the city to take action.

“We had graffiti on our shutters and they are sending out notices, fining us and it’s not like we wanted this,” Wicks told 8 News Now. “It looks like the block has been left to rot, especially with the homeless people around and at night it’s dark out here and not very welcoming.”

Sure Thing Chapel is planning to open a second location this year on the same block with hopes that the lighting issues can be resolved soon. They also want to see the historic motels across the street reopen soon to bring more positive traffic to the neighborhood.

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