Final hurdle cleared for state’s first veterans nursing home

Lisa Snedeker

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1998 | 11:19 a.m.

Nevada veterans could receive a special break this spring.

Ground is slated to be broken no later than April on the $19.3 million state veterans home after receiving the go ahead from Boulder City officials.

The City Council Tuesday unanimously approved a land swap for 12.5 developed state-owned acres at the southeast corner of Adams Boulevard at Georgia Avenue for 50 acres of undeveloped city property northwest of U.S. 93, near the MGM Grand hotel-casino's proposed golf courses.

"We think this is a fair exchange for both the state and the city," City Manager John Sullard said.

The 180-bed facility, located off Industrial Road, will be the state's first skilled nursing care home for aging military veterans.

The state has agreed to extend Industrial Road from U.S. 93 to the north boundary of the proposed Veterans Drive, according to Sullard.

"The road will go underneath the railroad tracks up to the Veterans Drive entrance," Sullard said.

The state also will be responsible for extending major utilities to the property, but not for a water connection charge.

"They will work in conjunction with the MGM on providing utilites to the area," Sullard said.

Approval of the land exchange will allow the city to begin lease negotiations with the Boulder City Library District on the former site of the Southern Nevada Children's Home, which the state closed last year.

The library district is proposing an estimated $4 million facility on 4 acres of the site. The Planning Commission last month granted a conditional-use permit for the library along with the city's parks and recreation department for the remaining 8 acres.

Sullard said the city plans to open a weight room in the former children's home by Jan. 1.

"We are anxious and I know the veterans are anxious to get going, too," he said.

Councilman Bryan Nix described the land exchange as a "really a big deal ... it has taken a lot of work and effort."

Nix referred to Boulder City's original attempts to attract the veterans home before losing out to North Las Vegas. Soil problems caused the initially state-approved site at Fifth Street and Craig Road, which was donated by the U.S. Air Force, to be abandoned.

"Not only do I believe this is a very good project for Boulder City ... by showing its support for the veterans, but also from an economic development standpoint," he said. "It's going to create jobs and opportunites. It really is a great opportunity for the city."

Councilman Robert Kenneston expressed concern that there were no restrictions on the land use of the state's newly acquired acreage. Sullard said, however, the city is protected because the property is zoned for a hospital.

The State Board of Examiners approved the land exchange for the veterans home in August, followed by the Nevada Legislative Interim Finance Committee's approval in September.

The Legislature last year earmarked $6.8 million for the project and Nevada is in line for $12.6 million in federal matching funds for the home.

Steve Clark, the state's deputy executive director of veterans affairs, said the project will be up for bid this month.

"We hope to break ground in February or March but the official groundbreaking will be in April," he said.

Clark added the project should take about a year to build depending on the weather.

"We absolutely appreciate what the city is doing for us and think that it is a beautiful site for the veterans home," he said.