According to former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Steve Evans' commitment to the downtown renaissance began long before many people took notice of the area: "Steve did not just talk the talk, he actually walked the walk."

Evans has a long relationship with his historic downtown neighborhood and uber-cool, mid-century modern home, which was built in 1964. Raised in old Henderson until a teenager, he attended youth group meetings, and house-sat for his mentor, the late Flora Dungan, in the central neighborhood known as Marycrest. After a 17-year hiatus, he moved back to Las Vegas into that same neighborhood home he knew as a kid. It was a time when the core of the city was experiencing an exodus to the newly-developing suburbs. Evans says he purposely stayed and fought for the renewal of downtown, knowing that the area would not improve without persistent citizens.

That was nearly twenty years ago. Today, he says, thanks to the determination of many, downtown is on the cusp of greatness. Virtually all the urban skyline of today has some of his fingerprints, as he was a consistent advocate for the downtown during his 10-year tenure as City Planning Commissioner.

According to Margo Wheeler, former Las Vegas City planning director, "Steve Evans is a consummate citizen planner. His commitment is personal, civic, and visionary…he has truly changed the face of Las Vegas through his passion and commitment to the urban landscape."

Evans says that he cannot imagine choosing to live anywhere other than where he does. "I detest traffic and navigating the freeways. I'm ten minutes from everything: work, shopping, dining, and imbibing: not necessarily in that order."

Evans says if the walls of his home could talk, you'd hear the voices of Jackie Gaughan and many other casino owners of the '60s, as well as the era's politicians: Governor Sawyer, the Bibles, Foleys, Leavitts, Schrecks, and more. Evans carried on the tradition with the presence of the late Governor Mike O'Callaghan, Senators Harry Reid and Richard Bryan, and many community fundraising events over the years.

Evans says that with the recent opening of The Smith Center, the passion of his neighbors and businesses – including the extraordinary commitment of Tony Hsieh – downtown is poised for greatness.

Photo of Steve Evans at home by Adan Van Dam

Original Article courtesy of Las Vegas Weekly at - http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2012/feb/02/home-steve-evans/