LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Neon Museum announced new relocation and expansion plans to the Las Vegas Arts District during a city council meeting on Wednesday.
The museum is considering plans for two new locations downtown.
The first, a 60,000-square-foot outdoor display space and a 47,000-square-foot indoor area in a proposed parking garage on the 9th and 10th floors.
The second site is a 35,000-square-foot programmable space just a short walk away, the museum said.
RELATED STORY: The Neon Museum announces temporary daytime closure amid extreme heat
Executive Director for the museum, Aaron Berger, said they have been looking for new expansion locations for three years — finally deciding on the Arts District.
“After an extensive three-year search, we are pleased to expand our footprint and offerings to better serve the people of Las Vegas and its visitors, continuing to share the stories of Las Vegas. The Arts District is as vibrant as it is historic, and The Neon Museum’s two complementary locations will offer educational, historic preservation, and economic benefits for the area.”
Growth in both the number of visitors and the museum's collection is what led to the expansion decision, Berger said.
“This is more than moving to a new location, this is a significant expansion effort because what drove this decision was ‘capacity.’ Our collection has grown exponentially to the point that now only 35 percent is visible to the public. Additionally, the Museum turned away over 30,000 visitors due to sold-out nights last year alone. Two sites, each with indoor and outdoor exhibition space, will greatly improve our visitors' experience and educate eager audiences on this one-of-a-kind city.”
The two new locations still have a due diligence process to undergo before work can begin on the expansion, but — pending a successful process — the museum said the first location will feature an outdoor sign display with a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Valley. It will also feature an indoor space for classrooms and immersive experiences.
As for the second location, it will feature the following:
- A neon maker's space
- A neon boneyard
- Classrooms
- Visible storage center for new additions to the collection
The museum said they're entering the planning phases of the expansion. It will take several months to a year, but the museum said they hope to open both sites at the same time or one after the other.
The original location is still open and continues normal operations, and they said they even have new displays in the works as well as a restoration project later this year.
The Neon Museum is open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight, but hours may vary depending on weather conditions.
Visit the Neon Museum's website for more information.
WATCH Executive Director of the Neon Museum, Aaron Berger, discuss the changes coming to the museum, such as "What's going to happen to La Concha?"
