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- calendar_today November 7, 2026
City Backs THIRD Street with Major Investment
On November 4, 2026, the City of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved $4.2 million in reimbursement funds to support THIRD Street, a new performing arts and media incubator located in downtown Las Vegas. The funding will help transform the former Eclipse Theaters into a central hub for performance, media production, arts education, and workforce development.
Transforming Eclipse Theaters Into a Creative Campus
The project plans to remodel two former cinemas into a flexible studio theater with 250 seats and eight screens. Renovations will also include critical safety upgrades, new restrooms, and improved dressing rooms. Once complete, the 41,000-square-foot campus will offer performance venues, film and media production spaces, classrooms, workspaces, and training opportunities for the local creative workforce, according to THIRD Street and city officials.
Project Costs, Funding, and Future Events
The total projected construction cost stands at $7.47 million. The city’s reimbursement of $4.2 million is contingent on THIRD Street raising approximately $3.3 million and achieving outlined performance metrics. The nonprofit operating the incubator aims to host 200 events and attract 200,000 attendees annually. Founding partners currently active in the venue include Vegas Theatre Company, Vegas City Opera, Las Vegas Sinfonietta, and Laugh After Dark.
Workforce Development and Education Partnerships
THIRD Street’s mission extends beyond performance by emphasizing arts education and workforce development. The organization has forged partnerships with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) to provide youth and post-secondary training programs. CSN has signed a dual enrollment agreement allowing students to earn college credits and industry-specific credentials in areas such as technical theater and media production, providing vital hands-on experience within the creative industries.
Civic Leaders Highlight Cultural and Economic Goals
Dina Babsky, director of economic and urban development for Las Vegas, noted during the agency’s meeting that the THIRD Street project aligns closely with city priorities focused on economic growth, community impact, and workforce expansion. "Part of our economic development priority is specifically to grow arts and culture," Babsky said. THIRD Street executives, including CEO Daz Weller and COO Ginger Land-van Buuren, emphasized that this investment provides a significant boost for local talent and the arts ecosystem, creating new opportunities for artists and creative professionals to flourish in Las Vegas.
Upcoming Gala and Community Events
Since signing the lease for the building in December 2025, THIRD Street and its partners have launched various arts events, such as the Fallout Fringe Festival. The organization will host its inaugural gala and Cockroach Ball on November 14, with more details available at thirdstreet.vegas. THIRD Street aims to inspire creative people to build a future in Las Vegas, supporting both audiences and behind-the-scenes professionals with necessary resources and support as outlined by its leadership.
Source: lasvegasweekly.com.
