Chinatown draws 24M visitors a year. Now it’s getting $1.5M in improvements

Chinatown draws 24M visitors a year. The neighborhood is now slated for $1.5 million in improvements. Palette Tea Lounge, a vibrantly decorated dim sum eatery with colorful lanterns hung from the ceiling, lush paintings on the walls and neatly set tables, offers a welcoming ambiance that sharply contrasts its exterior. Outside, a broken walkway and a dimly lit parking lot prone to vehicle break‑ins mar the scene. Owner Michael Li said the restaurant’s budget lacks the flexibility to repave the lot or install new lighting. Li reported over 70 car break‑ins at his location this year. To protect customers, he trained hosts to urge guests to bring all belongings inside. In January, Li received a letter from Jayson Dagher, committee expert for Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, concerning the “Inspiring Spring Mountain Corridor Improvement Grant Program.” The note explained that the city intended to allocate $1.5 million to businesses across Chinatown, with a maximum grant of $75,000 per property. Dagher said, “We sent message to each azygous spot owner, arsenic good arsenic each tiny concern successful Chinatown.” After mailing the letters and going door to door, Dagher arranged office hours at local coffee shops to help applicants. Over the course of 11 office hours, he met with 338 spot owners, managers and tenants. Conveniently for Li, Dagher held one of those office hours across the street from Palette Tea Lounge at Afterlife Tea, where he explained the application process to Li over bubble tea. Last month, Li learned he would be granted $65,750 toward his $82,187 renovation project. Li said, “I felt perfectly amazing,” and added, “With these galore visitations, we person to marque it much presentable. The Strip is perfectly beautiful. Fremont Street is beautiful. If we had an arsenic bully Chinatown …” With the grant, Li will install lighting to deter burglary, repave the broken walkway and commission a local artist to paint a mural around the building. He is currently considering designs featuring dancing lions or dim sum motifs. Li also remarked, “We volition person a much