LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – It all started with a TikTok video filmed at the corner of Paradise and Naples near UNLV — an area known for its LGBTQ bars and nightclubs.
The video shows a group on a night out running between two bars across Paradise Road, the only part of the intersection without a crosswalk.
“You will see this countless times every Friday, every Saturday,” said Billy Pilesky, manager of Quadz Las Vegas. “I’ve seen pedestrians crossing the street and unfortunately getting hit by cars. It is a regular occurrence and something that our patrons do have to worry about going bar to bar.”
The video reached Senator Fabian Doñate, who represents the district. He said he would contact Clark County to address the issue.
“It made me question why wasn’t there a safety mechanism or were there improvements that could be made, so from that video we have been able to communicate with Clark County to essentially look at the safety of that part of town,” said Doñate.
Working with the county commission, they have launched a traffic study for the intersection to determine if it needs another crosswalk, more lighting, or other improvements.
“I would love to see the crosswalk painted rainbow. A little pride in the gayborhood,” Pilesky said.
But the plans for this area could go far beyond that. Doñate said they are also exploring the possibility of officially designating the area as a cultural district for the LGBTQ community.
“It’s important, I feel, for every city to have that area, that gayborhood where members of the LGBTQ community can just go out and have fun but feel safe and be themselves, and that’s kind of what this area provides,” said Pilesky.
“Whatever comes out of this, it started off as one video, maybe it turns into a cultural district, maybe it turns into safer roads, but ultimately, we just want this to be a place where people can come and feel safe,” said Doñate.
Doñate said they are still in the early stages, but the process to designate an area as a cultural district takes about two years. Similar to the arts district and Little Ethiopia, this designation would help with resources to patrol and improve safety in the area and programs to help businesses thrive.
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