Where do plans stand for possible African American museum, cultural center in Historic Westside?

In focus:

• Planning kicked off in 2020, and city leaders now have a better idea of what the project would cost and what it could look like.
• Important details still need to be worked out, like the exact location and funding.
• "We're a long ways away, yet we're a lot further along than we were before," says Councilman Cedric Crear.
• The why: "If you look at the rich history of African Americans that have played a key role in the development of our city, it's important that we chronicle that, that we show that, and that we display that," Crear says.

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Community leaders remain hopeful about the possibility of building an African American museum and cultural arts center in the Historic Westside.

Planning kicked off in 2020, and as we begin 2024, Las Vegas city councilman Cedric Crear said we are still in the master planning and discovery phase.

He said consultants hired by the city have conducted a feasibility study.

"We have what it may cost. We have some renderings of what it may potentially look like," Crear said.

But he said they still need to work out important details, like the exact location and funding.

"We're a long ways away, yet we're a lot further along than we were before," Crear said.

Based on surveysand public input sessions, he said this is something many people in the community want. This is also something Crear is passionate about, as his ward includes the Historic Westside, a historically Black community.

"If you look at the rich history of African Americans that have played a key role in the development of our city, it's important that we chronicle that, that we show that, and that we display that," Crear said. "There's a lot of ways we can go about doing that, whether that's art, sculpture, stories, just telling the history of what has taken place. I think it's important. Las Vegas wouldn't be what it is without the Black community."

Crear said museums are an expensive undertaking and finding a benefactor is important to getting this effort off the ground.

"I think it's needed, but it's a challenge," he said.

In 2024, he said we should be in a better position to understand the feasibility of this project.

"I would love to see a burgeoning African American museum — and this is important, too — a cultural arts center where people can come learn about the rich history about our community," Crear said.