LV takes steps to overhaul its core

Erin Neff

Friday, Aug. 6, 1999 | 11:17 a.m.

With studies suggesting downtown Las Vegas is sorely lacking affordable housing and is ripe for urban-style apartments, a San Diego developer is being tapped to create a project to fill both needs.

The Tom Hom Group, which is already constructing a single room occupancy (SRO) apartment complex on Stewart Avenue, has been selected from 10 developers to build a 50-unit complex at Gass Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.

The project, which has preliminary estimates of $5 million to $6 million, is anticipated to spark the move of urban professionals to live downtown.

The Tom Hom Group will use celebrity architect Rob Wellington Quigley to create what is called "a creative and exciting" design. Quigley is known for innovative designs in "urban housing" and is the name behind San Diego's popular Cafe 222 on Island Avenue.

Although still in the design stage, the downtown project is expected to be two or three stories, with both lofts and flats above businesses.

The city's Neighborhood Services Department is heading up the administration of private activity bonds for low-cost financing.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday that the "unusual and unique" architectural style will help entice young urban professionals to move downtown.

"It will really help start the reurbanization process," Goodman said, using a word he invented during a recent trip to Washington, D.C., to describe how he views downtown redevelopment.

The City Centre Development Corp. will hear a presentation on the Tom Hom Group's proposal at its Aug. 11 meeting.