City approves 11 park projects

Sonya Padgett

Tuesday, July 27, 1999 | 10:37 a.m.

Eleven parks projects around the valley were approved Monday by the Las Vegas City Council as the facilities most in need of $25 million worth of construction, improvements or expansion.

Funding for the park projects was approved by the City Council July 12, but the decision on which projects deserved priority was tabled at the request of Councilman Michael McDonald, so that he could get more information about parks in his ward.

The $25 million will come from medium-term bonds and a property tax increase authorized in May.

The tax -- which amounts to 1.4 cents per $100 of assessed property value -- will raise $2.5 million that the city can apply to the priority list.

Four new parks will be built, and the remaining seven will either be expanded or receive improvements.

The city has directed $11 million to maintenance and renovation of existing facilities. Half of that will come from the bond issues. New or expanded facilities will receive $19.5 million from the bond issues.

The bonds are needed to help pay for much needed parks, Councilman Larry Brown said.

"Our traditional park funding comes from the General Fund capital programs and our roof-top fees, when we assess new construction," Brown said. "But that sole source has proved to be inadequate; in fact, it has caused us to fall even further behind ... We have to get creative in ways to fund these type projects."

The majority of parks on the list are in the northwest but that isn't the only area receiving funds. More than $45 million has been dedicated by the council in recent years to fund parks and improvements throughout the city, Councilman Gary Reese said.

"There are other parks (not on the list) that are going to be enhanced. We're doing everything we can to make sure," Reese said.