In a landmark move celebrating heritage, identity, and belonging, Clark County commissioners voted unanimously to establish a “Filipino Town” cultural district along Maryland Parkway — marking a historic first for Nevada’s largest Asian American community.

The April 15 vote formalizes a 1.2-mile stretch between Flamingo Road and Desert Inn Road as a cultural and commercial hub for Filipino Americans, whose contributions have shaped Las Vegas for more than a century. The corridor, anchored by Seafood City and flanked by Filipino-owned businesses, has long served as a gathering place for food, commerce and connection.

The designation is more than a name on a map. It’s a permanent acknowledgment of a community whose impact is visible across the region, from the city skyline — shaped by Filipino draftsman Rudy Crisostomo — to the justice system, where Judge Cedric Kerns helped pioneer programs steering young offenders toward second chances.

The vote capped decades of advocacy led by Rozita Lee, a civic leader whose work has elevated Filipino American voices in Nevada and beyond. Calling the project “God’s mission,” Lee said the new district affirms the visibility and vibrancy of a community often overlooked, despite its deep roots and wide influence.

Filipino Americans now make up the largest Asian ethnic group in Southern Nevada, part of a national story of hard work and quiet resilience. From health care and hospitality to labor organizing and public service, the community has helped fuel the region’s growth while preserving a rich cultural legacy.

The new district follows the county’s 2019 policy allowing cultural designations — and comes one year after the establishment of Little Ethiopia near Decatur Boulevard. It also joins a growing list of Filipino enclaves nationwide, including Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown and San Francisco’s SOMA Pilipinas, but Las Vegas’ version stands apart for its scale and prominence in one of America’s fastest-growing cities.

Commissioner Tick Segerblom, whose district includes the new corridor, called the designation “just the beginning” for cultural recognition in Southern Nevada. For the thousands who waved flags and filled the commission chambers with cheers, it marked a long-awaited homecoming — and a powerful step forward.