Joe Schoenmann

Story Archive

Joe Downtown: Coming changes 'exciting' to Zappos chief
Monday, Dec. 17, 2012
While being interviewed in front of an audience in the double-wide trailer that doubles as a speakers bureau at at Seventh and Fremont streets, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh said to expect an explosion of development along Fremont Street in the next year.
Joe Downtown: Entrepreneur envisions dog-care facility at former burrito factory site
Monday, Dec. 17, 2012
Another person steeped in the use of the Internet to aid in business development is moving to Las Vegas. But not necessarily to build on her Internet acumen. Cathy Brooks wants to operate a dog-care facility, which Downtown Project is working on to place at the site of a defunct “burrito factory” and “soul food” drive-thru at Eighth and Fremont streets.
Joe Downtown: Czech's trek dampened by dose of reality
Friday, Dec. 14, 2012
A Czech Republic exchange student asked anyone who would listen Friday morning about his desire to walk from Fremont Street to Sunrise Mountain. “Vat’s zee best way to get there?” asked Stepan Kucera, on break from a Louisiana university where he spent the semester studying history. Overseas, the 27-year-old is a journalist for the daily newspaper, Právo.
Joe Downtown: 'Unicorn' fills in for llama at Hsieh birthday bash
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012
Apparently imported from North Korea, a unicorn was spotted Wednesday night in downtown Las Vegas in, of all places, a bar. Friends of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh were stunned to see the magical beast inside the Downtown Cocktail Room, where dozens of revelers were helping celebrate Hsieh’s 39th birthday.
Zappos school planning builds 'excitement around education'
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012
This is how you make a school. At least, it’s how you make a school when Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh and the Downtown Project are involved.
Joe Downtown: Airstreams the next boutique hotel for downtown?
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012
What if you could rent out a sleek Airstream recreational vehicle for the night as a hotel room? The idea to put an Airstream park in downtown Las Vegas is being one kicked around by the Downtown Project.
Joe Downtown: Got a business idea but no funding? Try this
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012
Any given day downtown on East Fremont Street will find people gazing at vacant lots or price-guessing as they point toward decrepit buildings. The air of new and potential business is a constant buzz, especially at The Beat coffeehouse, where it seems daily that deals are literally being made or ideas are landing for the first time.
Joe Downtown: Writer laying groundwork for book on redevelopment effort
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012
Get used to seeing Tim Pratt at Zappos and Downtown Project gatherings over the next several months.
Joe Downtown: Demolition to begin on former 7-Eleven
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012
Demolition of some of the interior of the massive building that occupies almost a half-acre on Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard will begin Wednesday.
Joe Downtown: Pizzeria to open Dec. 26 on East Fremont
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012
Radio City Pizzeria is about to become the next new pizza joint to open downtown.
Joe Downtown: 'The Simpsons' take on cool hip with downtown crowd
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012
Shaved heads, untucked Oxfords and fedoras – trademarks of the hipster – were satirized Sunday night on “The Simpsons” and laughed about Tuesday morning in downtown Las Vegas.
With new hire, NDOT serves notice it won't give away the store on eminent domain settlements
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012
Nevada lawyers working for companies and individuals whose land is being “eminent domained” by the state Department of Transportation to make room for the expansion of Interstate 15 are beginning to quake in their Dolce & Gabanas.
County considers competing proposals for investigating fatal shootings by police
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012
After two hours of debate, county commissioners on Tuesday agreed to consider two proposals that attempt to change the coroner’s inquest, which is an airing of the facts after deadly police shootings.
County votes to disband UMC Hospital Advisory Board
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012
A Clark County board established two years ago to take some monitoring of University Medical Center out of the hands of county commissioners is being dissolved.
County to study recommendations to ease pedestrian bottlenecks on Las Vegas Strip
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012
Clark County commissioners on Tuesday formally accepted a report about pedestrian traffic on the Las Vegas Strip, but county staff said it would take a few months to develop a plan, program and budget to address the report’s recommendations. Those recommendations include making obstruction restrictions in certain areas on certain days and times. eleased Nov. 21, the study was ordered last spring as part of a long-term campaign to “clean up” the Strip.
Another limousine business out at McCarran; county commissioners consider ways to help
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012
Limousine businesses serving McCarran International Airport are hurting, a year after the airport cut from five to four the number of limo companies at the airport. Business has gotten so bad, in fact, that Jacob's Transportation stopped operation at midnight Friday.
Springs Preserve gets OK to add train as attraction
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012
With an eye toward increasing customers, the Springs Preserve will add a train on rubber wheels beginning in January. For a fee of “about $3,” people will be able to purchase a ticket to ride the train.
Proposal will seek to open Metro's books on fatal shootings by police
Monday, Dec. 3, 2012
Two county commissioners who oversee the Metro Police budget will offer an alternative to the coroner’s inquest system at the County Commission meeting Tuesday.
Venture for America fellows are working to make their new home a better place
Hsieh, Downtown Project pledge $1 million to the group, which places college graduates with startup businesses
Monday, Dec. 3, 2012
Here’s the weird part of Josh Levine’s first three months into his two-year stint in Las Vegas as a fellow from Venture for America, a group that places new college graduates with startup businesses in cities not used to the startup trend: Levine likes it here.
Question for commissioners: Who should oversee inquest in police shootings?
Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012
Changes needed to get the coroner’s inquest system up and running appear so simple to some but so very difficult to others.
Company hopes to revive century-old gold mine near Searchlight
Friday, Nov. 30, 2012
Nevada Mining and Milling LLC, a company whose management includes the former CEO of a gaming products company, will seek county zoning variances to mine anew the 114-year-old Coyote Mine near Searchlight.
Summerlin hoarder escapes jail sentence, ordered to pay $95K for cleanup
Attorney says TV show "Hoarders" would have paid for work but city acted first
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012
The good news for a Sun City Summerlin resident who filled his home with tons of garbage, live and dead cats, and other hoarded objects, including six refrigerators, is that a judge on Tuesday gave him a suspended 358-day jail sentence.
DA's decision not to extradite bail-jumper in child porn case mystifies bondsman
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012
The district attorney’s decision not to seek extradition of a man alleged to have possessed child pornography is puzzling a bail bondsman and a Clark County commissioner, especially since the bondsman wants to pay all extradition-related expenses.
After three decades with Metro, assistant sheriff to retire
Monday, Nov. 26, 2012
After 32½ years with Metro Police, Assistant Sheriff Ray Flynn will retire in January.
Nevada scenic-rivers link raises flag in audit of city housing program
Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012
Some $6 billion in grants have been allocated through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Stabilization Program since 2008, with most of that money aimed at helping local governments purchase and renovate homes for resale to those hard hit by the recession.
Meeting with Zappos chief put chef on fast track toward becoming restaurateur
Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012
Natalie Young was done with casino work. But last year when she quit her job as executive chef for a major casino, she had no idea where she was going and she didn’t have another chef’s job lined up. “I was just done with that business,” the 48-year-old said. “I think I might have been on my way to Santa Fe.” That’s when Las Vegas’ reputation as a major city with a small-town feel kicked in. It’s also when Young became one of the first benefactors of the “downtown experiment” that online retailer Zappos had begun in announcing its headquarters’ move from Henderson to downtown Las Vegas.
Study identifies 17 pedestrian bottlenecks on Strip
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012
A long-awaited study of pedestrian traffic on the Las Vegas Strip was released Wednesday and shows 17 bottlenecks. The study could become the first step by Clark County toward limiting or spacing out outcall service card distributors, some of whom are said to bother tourists and lead to those bottlenecks.
Commission decision means chimps must go elsewhere
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012
Mike Casey can stay, but his chimps have to go. Clark County commissioners voted 5-1 at their meeting Wednesday to deny a use permit that would have allowed Casey to keep four chimps and a capuchin monkey at a rental home at Decatur Boulevard and Robindale Road.
Chimp-permitting request likely to cause uproar at county commission
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012
With his bright, wide-open eyes, Kenzy gazes with evident curiosity at the visitor. Behind steel fencing that encloses Kenzy on all four sides and overhead, the 7-year-old chimpanzee is a picture of calm. James “Mike” Casey tries to get the animal to do a few tricks.
Asked tough questions by students, community leaders respond with indirect answers
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012
The annual Mayors Prayer Breakfast was last week at Texas Station for 700 people, about half of them Las Vegas Valley high school students. The nearly 60-year-old event brings people of all faiths together and “encourages (the) community to use their diversity to find creative solutions to the various challenges facing Southern Nevada.”
Deal calls for state to pay $50M to resolve 'money grab' dispute with Clark County
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
The state of Nevada will repay Clark County about $50 million, pending approval of a county-state agreement, to resolve a dispute over the Legislature's so-called "money grab" from the county in 2009.
County puts off UMC vote; union leader warns, 'I'm going to fight you'
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
A vote on a proposal that Clark County cede direct control of University Medical Center to a semi-autonomous board has been delayed, but not before raising the hackles of hospital union workers — and several county commissioners. Commissioners decided to put off a vote until Dec. 5 on a measure that would send a proposal for changing oversight at the county-owned hospital to the 2013 Legislature.
Victim interrupts theft, finds thief left behind cellphone, pickup truck and girlfriend
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
A Republican activist who owns a tequila distillery and a downtown restaurant believes he might have two new candidates for America’s Dumbest Criminals.
Election results spawn speculation about Congress, governorship, County Commission
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012
Speculation about why the elections turned out the way they did and what happens now is echoing through the halls of the Clark County government building.
Source: Metro blames police radio for officer firing on unarmed veteran
Friday, Nov. 9, 2012
Emerging information about the shooting death of Gulf War veteran Stanley Gibson implicates Metro’s radio system as a key reason an officer shot Gibson last December as he sat unarmed in his car.
Council OKs incentive plan for videogame maker's move to downtown Las Vegas
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012
The videogame company behind such blockbusters as "Grand Theft Auto," "Red Dead Redemption" and "Bioshock" is close to sealing a deal to move into downtown Las Vegas, creating 150 jobs for videogame testers.
Clark County, North Las Vegas approve Sloan Channel settlement
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012
Clark County commissioners signed off Wednesday morning on settling lawsuits regarding North Las Vegas transporting treated wastewater via the county-owned Sloan Channel. The North Las Vegas City Council in a meeting Wednesday night unanimously voted to ratify the settlement.
County may look into forming hospital district to help fund UMC
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012
Clark County commissioners are tired of funding University Medical Center without help from other local governments that use the hospital’s services but provide none of the money to support them.
Speakers urge quick turnaround on changes to coroner's inquest system
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012
Despite pleas from the public to act sooner rather than later, Clark County commissioners indicated they would make no changes to the coroner's inquest process for at least another month.
Incumbents cruise in County Commission races
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012
Barring an unforeseen outcome, the reality is the Clark County Commission elections were over long before Tuesday’s election. Money, or the lack of enough of it to spread around to challengers, was the difference-maker.
Release of consultant’s study of Las Vegas fire services likely to fan flames
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012
It won’t be long before you start hearing angry voices in the Las Vegas City Council chambers again. A report by an independent consultant looking into the operations of the Las Vegas Fire Department will be released to the public later this month or in December, city sources say.
Commissioners concerned but say they can't stop provocative ads
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
Clark County commissioners met the media Friday to express concerns about a Guns N' Roses advertisement for concerts at the Hard Rock Hotel but said there was little they could do about the content. Commissioners Lawrence Weekly and Mary Beth Scow, who spoke alongside representatives of the Rape Crisis Center and Safe Nest, said they had no intention of interfering with any business’s operation. Weekly said he just wanted them to keep their community in mind.
Insert Coins becomes latest Las Vegas business export
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
Las Vegas is used to the importation of expensive facsimiles of other cultures to the Strip. We have the New York-New York, Paris and Venetian casinos. Don’t forget the Rio and the Orleans. Taking Las Vegas’ interesting local culture to other cities, however, is a fairly rare concept.
'Grand Theft Auto' video game developer eyes move to downtown Las Vegas
Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012
Take-Two Interactive, the software company behind one of the biggest series in video-gaming, “Grand Theft Auto,” wants to move some of its operations into downtown Las Vegas.
Proposed change to voided coroner's inquest rules may face test
Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012
After a state Supreme Court ruling last week, Clark County’s coroner’s inquest process may be in need of an overhaul. But some county commissioners doubt an amendment to be introduced during next week’s meeting is the answer.
Proposed accord between North Las Vegas, county would end Sloan Channel legal fight
Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012
Clark County and North Las Vegas are a few “yes” votes away from resolving a year-old dispute that has victimized residents along the stinking, buggy Sloan Channel in the northeast valley.
At coroner's office, everyday life is death
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
A slightly acidic odor spills from the second-floor bedroom of the home in an upper-income, northwest Las Vegas neighborhood. Expensive art adorns the walls. A luxury vehicle is parked in the garage. The odor doesn’t fit. But it’s not what causes the stomach to start churning. It’s the man himself. It's that he’s naked on the floor. It's his wide-open, lifeless eyes staring in an expression of total surprise at the ceiling.
Startups finding success with boost from Vegas Tech Fund
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012
Call it the little robot that could — with a little help from its friends. Romo, a plastic robot on rubber treads operated remotely with a smartphone, is leading its young developers into new territory, not only for them but for almost any Las Vegas-based business. Place your smartphone into a jack on top of Romo, and with another smartphone or computer, you can remotely move the robot — even if it's halfway around the world. So, a grandma in Las Vegas could operate a Romo being played with by her granddaughter in China.
County, North Las Vegas working behind scenes to resolve Sloan Channel controversy
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012
It’s been quiet in the Clark County Government Center the past few weeks. The County Commission has a rare three-week lull between meetings and no one wants to stir up anything until the election is over. But these quiet times typically mean much is afoot beneath the surface. Indeed, that’s the case now.
Councilman indicates it’s time to change intrusive process to obtain work card
Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012
The “work card” is an anachronism in a city where people are dying for work. But work cards, and the power held by the City Council to deny them to people who don’t meet their standards, still exist.