In most cities in the United States where there is a large Asian American and Pacific Islander population, you can find an area known as “Chinatown”. While each Chinatown is unique to each city, you’ll always find a hub of Asian American and Pacific Islander cuisine and businesses located inside Chinatown or near Chinatown.
These Chinatowns not only provide a cultural hotspot but often vary in size. A Chinatown could be a street or a couple blocks of a designated area full of various Asian American and Pacific Islander restaurants, Asian American and Pacific Islander bakeries, and a variety of other Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses.
The economic value of having a variety of Asian American businesses in the Chinatown area often provides locals and travelers one area to experience a wide variety of Asian and Pacific Island cuisines.
From the Economic Census, “Asian American” is composed of over 15 different ethnic groups so Chinatowns doesn’t just have “Chinese-owned” businesses, but a wide variety of other ethnic groups that comprise Asian Americans and Pacific Islander.
Fun fact: To date, there are a total of 50 different Chinatowns across the United States.
History of Chinatown Las Vegas
In the 1990s, several business owners and investors looked into an opportunity to build Chinatown in the Las Vegas community. Originally, Chinatown started on just one street called “Spring Mountain Road” and has expanded to encompass several areas that Spring Mountain Road intersects with in Las Vegas.
In 1996, Clark County designated Chinatown Plaza as the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center. Throughout the years, Chinatown Las Vegas has seen a diverse variety of businesses that have started and and expanded as Chinatown becomes one of the most visited areas for eating, shopping, and social gatherings.
With Las Vegas Chinatown being over 30 years old and the Asian American population being recognized from various Census as one of the fastest growing populations, the Clark County government is reviewing opportunities to revitalize the Chinatown area through the “Inspiring Spring Mountain” plan.
Revitalizing Chinatown Las Vegas
The plan being initiated by Clark County is reviewing ways to modernize the Chinatown area to support inclusiveness from the residential and business community.
The redevelopment plan is still looking for community feedback and more information is shared here.
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