LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A section of Karen Avenue will soon be transformed into "Liberace Way," named for the pianist and musician Liberace, who had a very lucrative career that brought him to Las Vegas in the 1940s.
The Clark County Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the motion to rename Karen Avenue between Maryland Parkway and Joe Brown Drive.
The official name change goes into effect Wednesday, December 14th.
Phase 1 will include replacing the signage from Maryland Pkwy. to Joe Brown Dr. Phase 2 will cover the stretch of road from Joe W. Brown Dr. to Paradise.
Officials say renaming the street will be a good way to honor Liberace's legacy.
One man, Martin Ravenhill, was really interested in keeping Liberace’s legacy alive so he purchased Liberace's Las Vegas home. Inside you'll find many of Liberace's belongings and even some replicas of Liberace’s pianos.
“After the initial shock of it, realizing that I bought this famous person’s house, then there was a realization, okay now what do I do and let’s get this surveyors and find out what we need to do to get it up to code," said Liberace Mansion Owner Martin Ravenhill.
“His mansion in Las Vegas of course Las Vegas was so close to his heart, he performed at Las Vegas Hilton for so long, and he opened up the Riviera hotel. He was the highest paid entertainer in the world,” said Ravenhill.
Many efforts have been made to keep liberates legacy alive over the years Including the Liberace Mansion that was opened in the 1970's and closed it's doors in 2010.
Ravenhill says he's happy that Clark County is making the necessary steps to keep Liberace's name alive.
“I am absolutely thrilled,“ he replied, when finding out about the name change.
He continued, saying, "To know that that wasn't just in vain and it’s carrying on, and now Karen Avenue will be "Liberace Way". I am absolutely thrilled. That’s gonna be on everyone’s GPS, so when they turn left or right to go down that road it’s gonna mention the name and that’s gonna keep it alive. It’s a brilliant start."
We also heard from locals — some who say the name change will just make valley roads more confusing, since the change will only cover a section of Karen Avenue. Others think the name change will be a great way to pay homage to a musical legend.
Liberace Way will join several other streets named after Las Vegas legends, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin.
