Redevelop That!

Hosted by Derek Allen

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Latest episode

Nov 2026

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About the show

This podcast is a discussion with the local stakeholders, business owners, and property owners who have chosen to locate their business in or invest in one of the City of Henderson’s Redevelopment Areas.Discussion topics will focus on:•What is redevelopment; key elements to make a business grow•The type of leadership required to open, develop, and grow a new business in a maturing neighborhood•Incentives available in redevelopment areas•Tips to get involved in your local business communityThis discussion is for our listeners to learn about the businesses located in their area and discover ways they can play an active role in redevelopment efforts within the city.

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48 recent

November 7, 2026Episode 181 hr 6 min

Planners Shape The Future Whether We Notice

Your neighborhood doesn’t “just happen.” It gets shaped by thousands of planning decisions that determine what gets built, where it goes, how it looks, and who benefits. From the Nevada APA chapter conference on Water Street in Henderson, we sit down with two of the biggest voices in the field: Joel Albizo, CEO of the American Planning Association (APA), and Scott Carey, President of APA Nevada and Development Services Manager for the City of Sparks. We talk about what the planning profession looks like heading into 2026, why community engagement still changes everything, and why housing affordability has become one of the clearest national priorities in urban planning. Joel shares how APA is thinking about the next wave of planners, student membership, and what it takes to keep people in the profession, while also acknowledging the real-world pressure public-sector planning teams feel when budgets get tight. Then we get into the issues hitting Nevada right now: growth that strains infrastructure and services, a property tax system that forces cities to keep chasing new development, and the “fiscal cliff” many communities see coming. We also tackle the land use reality of data centers and AI, where incentives, neighborhood impacts, water and power, and zoning decisions collide fast. To close, we swap practical redevelopment ideas you can use even with limited dollars, from downtown master plans and façade grants to interpretive plaques and Main Street America resources. If you care about how cities grow, redevelop, and stay livable, hit play, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

September 23, 2026Episode 1735 min

A Local Guide To The Nevada State Planning Conference On Water Street

Water Street isn’t just the backdrop for a conference this year. It’s the curriculum. We’re joined by four City of Henderson planners who also serve on the APA Nevada board Jared Tasco, Erica Sosa, Brian Adams, and Rochelle Liston to give you a practical preview of the 54th annual Nevada State Planning Conference, happening October 22-23 in downtown Henderson. The theme is “Go with the Flow,” and we talk about what that really means for planning dynamic, resilient, adaptive communities when the ground keeps shifting under every city. We break down the parts you actually want to know before you register: the mixers, the keynote speakers, and the sessions built around today’s biggest planning topics, from sustainability and ethics to transportation funding and the real-world headaches of condo conversions. We also dig into what makes this conference different, the mobile workshops. Think Pumpkin Park’s community food garden, a Boulder City tour focused on tourism and recreation, plus walking tours that connect policy to the built environment in Henderson, including Water Street and Cadence. We also get honest about the value that doesn’t show up on the agenda: networking with other jurisdictions, learning who to call when you hit a wall, and building relationships you can’t “buy” anywhere else. If you’re a planner, developer, architect, engineer, business owner, student, or a planning commissioner who wants a clearer view of how decisions get made, this is your invite. Check out the schedule and register at nevada.planning.org, then subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review if you want more conversations like this.

September 22, 2026Episode 1632 min

A Practical Guide To Volunteering With The Henderson Police Department

Fall in Henderson means Water Street fills up fast, with car shows, community nights, and weekend events that pull everyone back downtown. But the most surprising “event season” story we found this year isn’t about a festival at all. It’s about the people who quietly volunteer inside the Henderson Police Department and how much they change the day to day experience for residents, officers, and staff alike. We sit down with Jenny Boeve, Henderson PD’s volunteer coordinator, to unpack what police volunteering really looks like. Jenny shares how she went from a career in major event directing to local service, and why retention is the hidden engine of any volunteer program. We talk about building a culture that feels like family while still setting clear expectations, keeping communication tight, and matching the right skill set to the right assignment so volunteers actually want to stay. You’ll hear about the wide range of Henderson volunteer opportunities: front lobby support at substations, detention center help, sewing and repairs, missing persons assistance, cold case support, dispatch retirees helping with subpoenas, patrol vehicle assistants keeping fleet operations moving, and even handicap parking education with the traffic unit. We also dig into the Citizens Academy and why a behind the scenes look at public safety can build trust, curiosity, and long term civic engagement. If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to serve in Henderson, this conversation lays out practical next steps and the mindset that makes volunteering sustainable. Subscribe, share this with someone who loves their community, and leave a review with the volunteer role you’d want to try.

June 11, 2026Episode 1542 min

Communities In Schools Builds Relationships That Creates Graduates

We sit down with Laura Meyer, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada, to learn how relationship driven support inside schools keeps students engaged and on track to graduate. We also share what’s happening on Water Street and how local businesses can plug into real, measurable help for kids and families. • updates on the Fiesta site and what to expect next • new Water Street openings including Coffee Class, Better Buzz Coffee, and Chic And Cozy Consignment • summer events, watch parties, and district business activations • what Communities In Schools is and why it started as a nationwide dropout prevention model • how CIS places full time site coordinators on campuses to remove barriers to attendance and learning • how Title I schools and feeder patterns guide expansion for continuity of care • key outcomes including a 97% graduation rate for students on the CIS caseload • wraparound services and partnerships that connect families to food, clothing support, and mental health referrals • ways businesses can help through sponsorships, volunteering, mentoring, and career exposure • Fill The Bus school supply drive details and how to participate Reach out if you want to share your story: Derek.allen@cityofhenderson.com

March 3, 2026Episode 1456 min

How A Mechanic Built A Community By Building People

A new season is rolling in on Water Street, The Watermark finally has residents moving in, and Pacific is heating up with fresh places to eat—but the story that grabbed us lives on the Eastside. We sat down with Bill “Dr. Atomic” Byler at Atomic Motors, a four-acre classic car campus tucked along the Sunset Corridor, and found a blueprint for building a business by building people. Bill’s journey runs from motorcycle dealerships to a “hobby shop” that became a restoration powerhouse. He explains how Atomic got its name from old RCA tube testers and our city’s atomic heritage, then dives into what actually powers his shop: benefits that change lives. Health insurance, vision, dental, and a 401(k) aren’t add-ons; they’re the engine. Many on his team once ran their own businesses. Here, they focus on craft while the company handles the burden. That shift—people-first, not profit-first—quietly compounds into loyalty, homeownership, and pride in the work. We tour Atomic’s process end-to-end: meticulous inspections, dyno tuning to correct shifting on old transmissions, chassis brought to bare metal and refinished, fresh interiors, and the hard truth about Nevada’s smog rules for vintage cars. Bill’s team often rebuilds engines and adds catalytic converters to meet standards, then documents every detail with underside photos. The kicker? A two-year warranty on most classic cars sold—something that took more than a decade to earn from underwriters and still stuns buyers. He also makes a strong case to skip full restorations and buy a finished car to save time, money, and heartache. Community runs through everything. Weekends bring free donuts, kids racing Pinewood Derby cars, and pizza at noon. The shop hosts weddings, reunions, and corporate parties. Bill even sketches a bold vision for a museum that tells Nevada’s full story—from mines to military, public safety to the everyday fabric of a republic. He closes with a hand-pump parable: pour in first, keep steady pressure, and the water flows. That’s his model for life, work, and this city we love. If this resonated, share it with a friend, subscribe for more stories like this, and leave a quick review so others can find the show. Which classic would you take home—and would you restore or buy finished? Tell us your pick.

March 3, 2026Episode 1352 min

Cadence: From Industrial Past To Community Future

From wartime industry to neighborhood life, the east side of Henderson has undergone a transformation that few thought possible. We sit down with Landwell’s president and CEO, Lee Ferris, to unpack how the Cadence master plan community turned 2,200 remediated acres into parks, homes, and streets that actually connect people. This is a story about vision, safety, and the kind of patience that only comes from strong partnerships and a clear city plan. Lee walks us through BMI’s origins—water, power, and infrastructure that helped spark Henderson—and how those assets evolved into Landwell’s role as master developer. We dig into why they chose a residential master plan over more industrial pads, how environmental cleanup met residential standards, and what it took to recruit builders who would embrace “no walls,” public streets, and a mix of price points. You’ll hear how Central Park and the Home Finding Center were built first to earn trust, why mature trees arrived before model homes, and how common materials used thoughtfully can create a distinctive look without bloated budgets. We also explore the human side: a lean team that debated openly, curated partners carefully, and stuck to the long game through market swings. With Water Street just minutes away, Cadence residents gain a vibrant main street—restaurants, live music, and events—that makes the community feel larger than its borders. Along the way, Lee shares candid lessons on saying no to short-term gains, designing for everyday life, and the legacy of creating places where a single-story home can sit comfortably across from a townhome and both feel right. If you care about city building, redevelopment, or simply how great neighborhoods come to life, this conversation delivers practical insight and a hopeful blueprint for doing big things the right way. Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow city nerd or neighbor, and leave a review with the one design idea you think every community should steal.

March 3, 2026Episode 1725 min

Patricia’s Leap From Ledgers To Loaves

A healthier drive-thru shouldn’t be a fantasy. We sit down with Patricia Pimentel—former accountant, seasoned project manager, and the founder behind Chez Panise—to explore how clean ingredients, smart operations, and community support can reinvent fast food without losing speed or joy. Patricia shares the turning point that pushed her from spreadsheets to slider buns, the Saturday classes with SBA and SCORE that sharpened her plan, and the Small Business Development Center guidance that helped her tackle branding, marketing, and operations with confidence. You’ll hear the strategy behind her compact first location—about 1,000 to 1,200 square feet with a counter and drive-thru—and why starting small helps her protect quality and freshness. We dive into her mix-and-match lunch and dinner boxes: one or two wholesome sliders, six rotating sides, a low-sugar cupcake, and a beverage, all rooted in simple, recognizable ingredients. On the bakery side, Patricia keeps it honest with seven-ingredient buns, cookies by the bag or pound, and the irresistible “cake after dark” idea for evening dessert runs. This is comfort food with clear labels, guided by years of cooking for children with severe allergies and a commitment to ditching unnecessary additives. We also get real about the hard parts: competing for scarce drive-thru sites, navigating licensing, building permits, and zoning, and rebuilding a small business ecosystem that took hits during the pandemic. With help from city teams and a proactive approach, Patricia shows how founders can move faster and avoid costly detours. If you care about independent restaurants, better everyday meals, or you know a perfect East Henderson location with a drive-thru, this is your chance to lean in and help shape something special. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend who loves good food, and leave a quick review. Your notes help more listeners find stories that spark better ideas—and better meals.

December 18, 2025Episode 1846 min

Inside Henderson’s One-Stop Development Services Center

Permits don’t have to feel like a maze. We sit down with Christopher “Topher” Barnes, Henderson’s Development Services Manager, to pull back the curtain on how projects move from idea to inspection inside a true one-stop shop. From centralizing building, fire, planning, public works, and mapping to a clear 3-2-1 review timeline, Topher explains how coordination beats silos and why predictable service targets save time and money for everyone involved. You’ll hear how the team went fully digital in four days, built a virtual counter for small-scope permits with next-day feedback, and still kept space for in-person conversations when nuance matters. We dig into pre-submittal meetings, early issue-spotting, and what triggers code changes when a concept shifts—like adding live performance or increasing occupancy. Topher also shares how an in-house analyst group powers the portal, dashboards, and benchmarks that help the Center deliver 95 to 98 percent on-time reviews. We talk fiscal stewardship and transparency, including how the enterprise fund model, a year-long cost of service study, and an industry advisory committee keep fees fair and performance accountable. Then we look ahead: adaptive reuse using the Existing Building Code, the realities of EV infrastructure and solar, and how the team vets new technologies without sacrificing safety. The takeaway is practical and optimistic—bring your project to the table early, lean on the one-stop model, and use the digital tools to keep momentum. If this helped demystify permitting, follow the show, share it with a teammate who’s planning a build-out, and leave a quick review so more builders and business owners can find it.

November 20, 2025Episode 171 hr 0 min

How Henderson Turns Ideas Into Places People Love

If you’ve ever wondered how a city turns a sketch on paper into a place you can actually visit, this one’s for you. We sit down with Henderson’s current planning manager, Andy Roether, to unpack the real machinery of city planning—what “entitlements” are, why timelines can be fast without being sloppy, and how a team of planners acts more like project managers and translators than bureaucrats with a stamp. We get practical about the entire journey: checklists that spell out exactly what to submit, public hearing notices that bring neighbors into the loop, and the judgment calls that determine when to slow down for community conversations. Andy shares the inside track on digitizing the process—from online portals and GIS mapping to the quality control challenges that come with reviewing thousands of pages at once—and how Henderson keeps improving by borrowing smart ideas from peer cities and industry groups. Zoning takes center stage with a clear, no-jargon breakdown: commercial, residential, industrial, mixed-use, and why intensity and compatibility matter. We explore national trends like upzoning and the push for more flexible housing, then bring it back home to Henderson’s unique context, rural character, and infrastructure realities. We also hit a spicy topic—parking—and make the case for quality over quantity with safer walkways, smarter layouts, and shade that actually works in desert heat. Underneath it all is a simple promise: planning should build community. That means walkability, comfort, and places people love, balanced with a process that respects both businesses and neighbors. Hear how Henderson’s planners see themselves as referees—keeping the game fair, the rules clear, and the plays moving—while inviting more voices into the conversation. If you care about how your city grows and how quickly your project can open its doors, you’ll find tools, tips, and a candid look at what works. Enjoyed this deep dive? Subscribe, share with a friend who’s planning a project, and leave a review to tell us what topic we should explore next.

November 4, 2025Episode 1646 min

Redevelop That! with Paul Beaton

Welcome to Redevelop That! —the podcast where we explore the people, policies, and processes shaping community revitalization. In today’s episode, I sit down with Paul Beaton from the City of Henderson’s Business Licensing Division to break down what it really takes for a new business to open its doors in the city. Paul walks us through the licensing process, common challenges entrepreneurs face, and how the city works behind the scenes to support responsible growth and economic development. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or just curious about how cities work, this conversation offers practical insight into how businesses go from idea to officially licensed in Henderson.