Historic Westside: A Quarter Of Investment,
Opportunity & Community
The third quarter of 2026 brought another round of exciting progress to the Historic Westside. From a major new school taking shape and expanded early childhood opportunities to workforce programs, recognition for neighborhood investments and new businesses, the Westside continues to build on its history while creating new opportunities for the generations ahead.
Below are a few of the projects, people and happenings that made news this quarter.
A New Chapter For Matt Kelly Elementary
One of the quarter’s biggest milestones came at Matt Kelly Elementary School, where construction is underway on a complete replacement of the longtime neighborhood school.
The $76 million project will replace the original campus, which opened in 1960, with a new two-story school designed to serve approximately 440 students. Plans include 21 classrooms along with a community resource center, amphitheater, garden and learning kitchen. Teachers, families and community partners helped shape the design, and the new campus is expected to welcome students for the 2027-2028 school year.
While construction moves forward on J Street, Matt Kelly students began the 2026-27 school year at the temporary Ruth Fyfe Elementary campus. The first day still featured the school's traditional red-carpet welcome — and a reminder that while the building may be changing, the community surrounding Matt Kelly remains strong.
Expanding Opportunities For The Westside's Youngest Learners
Early childhood education also received a boost this quarter, with continued investment in programs designed to make quality learning opportunities more accessible to Las Vegas families.
That includes Strong Start GO! Mobile Pre-K Academy, which literally brings the classroom into neighborhoods aboard specially equipped buses. The free program serves children ages 3 to 5 with half-day instruction in reading, math, science, physical fitness and social development. One of its three locations is at the Historic Westside School at Washington Avenue and D Street.
Historic Westside Education & Training Center Earns Top Honors
The College of Southern Nevada's Historic Westside Education & Training Center earned some well-deserved recognition this summer, receiving the Nevada Contractors Association 2026 Public Building Project of the Year — Under $15 Million award.
Built by Builders United, the 16,600-square-foot center represents much more than an award-winning construction project. It provides students and community members with hands-on education and training connected to healthcare, advanced manufacturing, technology, construction trades and other in-demand careers — creating pathways to opportunity right in the Historic Westside.
Transition Kitchen Brings An Earn-While-You-Learn
Model to the Westside
Another new workforce opportunity is taking shape through the Transition Kitchen Foundation, which announced a partnership with the city of Las Vegas to establish a tuition-free culinary apprenticeship program in the Historic Westside.
The model removes a major barrier to culinary training by allowing participants to earn a wage while they learn, gaining hands-on experience in commercial kitchen operations while also receiving job placement assistance and entrepreneurial mentorship. The foundation envisions its permanent Westside facility as both a workforce training center and community dining hub.
New Business Activity At A Familiar Westside Corner
The longtime home of Mario's Westside Market continues to evolve as a neighborhood business destination.
Super Mario, an automotive detailing and service business, announced plans to establish a brick-and-mortar location at 1960 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. alongside Mario's Westside Market and other existing businesses. The new business grew out of a mobile detailing concept and is expected to offer professional detailing, tires and other automotive services.
It's another example of entrepreneurial activity adding services and business opportunities to established commercial locations throughout the neighborhood.
Raiders Bring Career Inspiration
And A Little Silver & Black Energy
To the Westside
The Las Vegas Raiders brought players, team leadership and plenty of Silver & Black spirit to Democracy Prep at the Agassi Campus in September for a schoolwide rally reaching approximately 750 students.
But the day was about more than football. Junior and senior high school students participated in a sports business panel designed to introduce them to the many careers that exist behind the scenes in professional sports. Students also participated in a Raiders Junior Training Camp, while teachers received school-supply kits and literacy materials.
The event offered another reminder that investing in Historic Westside youth means exposing young people to possibilities and helping them see themselves in careers they may not have considered before.
Construction Underway On The Good Word Social Club
After years of planning, construction is underway on The Good Word Social Club, bringing another long-anticipated Historic Westside project closer to reality.
Located at D Street and Madison Avenue adjacent to shareDOWNTOWN Westside, The Good Word is envisioned as a neighborhood gathering place centered around food, entertainment, culture and community. The nearly 9,000-square-foot project will also include a 2,400-square-foot mezzanine and four food hall stalls designed to create opportunities for local businesses and emerging entrepreneurs. A total of $8.7 million has been appropriated for the project through the Redevelopment Agency and Neighborhood Services Choice Communities funding.
And one of the first food concepts is now lined up: Gritz Café Express, a new concept from the team behind longtime Las Vegas favorite Gritz Café, has been approved for one of The Good Word's four food hall stalls. The addition brings a locally rooted food business to the project while advancing The Good Word's larger goal of creating a destination for dining, entrepreneurship and community gathering in the Historic Westside.
With construction underway and its first food operator taking shape, The Good Word is moving from a long-planned vision toward a new neighborhood destination.
Momentum Continues Across The Historic Westside
Taken together, this quarter's stories tell a bigger story about what's happening across the Historic Westside.
New and improved educational facilities are serving children from preschool through college and career training. Workforce programs are creating new pathways into growing industries. Local businesses are investing in the neighborhood. And community institutions and regional partners are bringing new resources and opportunities to Westside residents.
Each project is different, but collectively they represent continued momentum toward a Historic Westside where investment builds upon the neighborhood's extraordinary history while creating opportunity for the people who call it home.
Stay connected. We'll continue sharing news, milestones, events and opportunities happening throughout the Historic Westside in the months ahead.
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