1) Bowling: More! 2) A standing farmer's market: We've got our nice once-a-week and once-a-month markets, but if you've ever been to Pike's Market in Seattle or the Farmer's Market on Fairfax in LA, you know what great energy a real farmer's market/bazaar can bring to an urban environment. These places are more than fruit & veggie markets—there is everything from funky trinkets to eclectic food stands to live entertainment; in LA, there's weekly karaoke among the fruit-sellers. This could be a key citizen's element to enliven what so far is shaping up to be a somewhat wonkish and corporate 61 acres at Union Park—a medical center, an Alzheimer's research center, more high-rise condos, and a new city hall. All those folks in scrubs and suits have got to be pining for a pomegranate! 3) Open space: As development in the Valley moves into an infill phase (a good thing), we should embrace the seeming paradox that higher density can mean more, not less, open space in the urban core. In theory, both high-rise and "New Urbanist" town-home projects may eliminate or reduce traditional backyard space but would clear the way for larger public open spaces—this means public squares, public parks, and hybrids of the two, in which the shopping and park experiences are combined. 4) Mountains without big bites taken out of them: Once you dig up the side of a desert mountain, it's scarred forever. The damage can't even be concealed by resurgent vegetation, as it can in greener climes. The time-sculpted mountains around the Valley are the only thing of permanence we have here, and—look around at sunset—it's a beautiful thing indeed. Let's end hillside development once and for all. 5) Water: Almost as important as bowling. 6) An ocean: California, we've been told, may oblige. 7) From CAROL HARTER, president, UNLV: "From the seat I am in, I'd say one of the things Las Vegas needs is this great world- class university. That's what we're working on. The next UCLA is sitting right here, and it's UNLV. It's going to be a major, highly regarded international university that has ranked academic programs, great athletic programs, wonderful culture, the arts, and is regarded as a central resource to our city and our community." 8) Our very own USC: Isn't this city big enough for its very own large-but-borderline-elitist institution that can give the public U a bit of a push? While we're at it, at some point in the next hundred years Las Vegas could use a small liberal arts college. As Las Vegas grows into a major metropolitan area, a more diverse higher education landscape will provide opportunities for our kids, keep the brightest among them in town, bring in talent from around the world, diversify our economy, and energize our culture. This isn't just fuzzy-headed academic theory: The benefits—as college-rich areas from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay have shown—are clear. 9) A zoo: Oh. We're sorry. Has this been brought up before? 10) A Nobel Prize-winning invention that prevents gravel from the #$&! truck in front of you from flying into your windshield. (Um, a tarp with snaps?) 11) Schools that function well regardless of whether they are in a rich neighborhood or a poor one. 12) A local version of 60 Minutes, Nathan Tannenbaum reporting. 13) From GWEN CASTALDI, host, KNPR's State of Nevada: "We need to keep emphasizing that everything should be historically documented as the Valley grows and changes. Each year in history is a valuable comparison to where we're going—lessons to be learned about water, growth, gambling, quality of life, traffic. The steps we took or didn't take will affect what happens." 14) Homeland security: In the January/February issue of The Atlantic, former White House Counterterrorism Chief Richard A. Clarke offered up a cautionary history of the future, in which an attack on Las Vegas (on June 29, 2005—hold your breath, Las Vegans!) initiates a new wave of al-Qaeda bombings in the U.S. We are, perhaps, the most open city in our blessedly open society, and as a result, we're a particularly juicy target for would-be terrorists. While remaining true to our freewheeling heritage, we must also keep working diligently to protect our public and semipublic spaces. 15) From LON KRUGER, men's basketball coach, UNLV: "A plentiful supply of water to support our continued growth and an abundant supply of 7-footers—hopefully one about every four years." 16) More museums: We have a very nice little art museum at the Sahara West Library. We also have a few high-end art collections on the Strip. Our historical and natural history museums are admirable but a bit small for a city of Las Vegas' size and ambition. What we now need are more first-rate stand-alone museums—perhaps a science and technology museum, preferably with stunning architecture and a plaza or steps where people could meet and hang out. Great cities have great museums. There are no exceptions to this rule. 17-18) From AL BERNSTEIN, boxing commentator for Showtime and host of The Al Bernstein Sports Party on ESPN Sports Radio 920: "A theater that attracts top quality performers and a variety of plays (not touring companies) would help give people here a sense of community, and provide something that is sorely lacking." "In the next 100 years we will likely have some kind of major- league sports franchise here in Las Vegas. With our luck, it will be the Cubs who move here, and then we'll be saddled with the curse. For those of us who are already Cubs fans, this would be a double whammy." 19) A continued commitment to xeriscaping: As we cut back on lawn, we should replace it with more than palms and pebbles. There are plenty of water-smart, aesthetically pleasing possibilities on display at demonstration gardens around the Valley.
Staff contributions from Richard Abowitz, Josh Bell, Steve Bornfeld, Scott Dickensheets, Wes Gantbonton, Damon Hodge, Greg Blake Miller and T.R. Witcher.