Arena subcommittees named

Erin Neff

Thursday, July 29, 1999 | 10:40 a.m.

With questions of market competition, cost and public perception swirling around hopes to bring a sports arena and performing arts center to Las Vegas, a committee studying the proposal decided it needed smaller groups to focus on the diverse issues.

During the first meeting of the Arena and Performing Arts Center Study Committee, co-chairmen Bruce Woodbury and Oscar Goodman appointed members to four separate subcommittees.

It is hoped those committees will meet in August and have enough information for a "meaningful discussion" when the full committee next meets Sept. 16, Goodman said.

The subcommittees are as follows:

* The Market Analysis subcommittee will be chaired by former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones. Subcommittee members are: pollster Frank Luntz, Kirk Hendrix of Las Vegas Events, Rossi Ralenkotter of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Bob Halloran of Mirage Resorts, and Dan Van Epp of Howard Hughes Corp.

* The Location and Site Design subcommittee will be chaired by City Centre Development Corp. President Mike Forche. Subcommittee members are: attorney Joe Brown, Mirage Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn, Polo Towers President Stephen Cloobeck, Las Vegas Stars General Manager Don Logan, and Andy Tompkins of the Lady Luck Casino.

* The Facility Usage, Design and Cost subcommittee will be chaired by Manny Cortez, president and CEO of the LVCVA. Subcommittee members are: cardiologist Dr. Keith Boman, Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald, Las Vegas City Manager Virginia Valentine, Elaine Wynn of Mirage Resorts, attorney David Chesnoff and Goodman aide and local advertising agency owner Tom Letizia.

* The Economics and Financing Subcommittee will be chaired by Fremont Street Experience President Mark Paris. Subcommittee members are: state Sen. Jon Porter, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce President Bob Forbuss; Boyd Gaming Corp. Chairman Don Snyder; Clark County Manager Dale Askew; former Gov. Bob Miller; LVCVA President Manny Cortez and Terry Murphy of Strategic Solutions.

Woodbury, Goodman and Gov. Kenny Guinn will be considered members of all subcommittees.