the abandoned storefronts, and the potential of all that. The idea was because there are

so many empty lots around here, just to put a bunch of containers up quickly and then

get stuff happening. DDP gives business owners an opportunity that they probably wouldn't

otherwise have. They come in and they give the money to the people on the ground with

the passion and the domain expertise. Then they become your partners to make it happen.

The first one to be funded and I believe the first one to pay them back. At last count

we funded about 38 businesses. The community is coming out of hiding. Someone whose lifelong

dream is to star a boutique juice bar, to have a wine bar, or a doner shop, probably

something food related, and we'll say rather then wait ten years have you thought about

doing it now? You actually get to help shape what the community looks like. If one person

that came from where I come from sees that I did it and takes the opportunity and the

chance to do it, then I've done my job. It's about a spirit and energy and excitement.

People are like, "you took a chance by coming to downtown Las Vegas", no! No, Downtown Project

took a chance on me and gave me this opportunity.