Grid system chosen for Town Center approach

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, June 3, 1999 | 11:02 a.m.

Clark County commissioners stretched from one end of the alphabet to the next when they considered how exactly to extend Durango Drive and guide commuters into the proposed Town Center project in northwest Las Vegas.

A C-shaped road was protested by developers who complained that valuable land would be dissected. An S-curved street would take out about a dozen homes.

Finally on Wednesday, the board leaned toward building a road the old-fashioned way -- using the grid system. Under the new plan, motorists would travel north on Durango to Centennial Parkway and north onto Riley Street.

"Both roads handle traffic with all things being equal," Jory Stewart, the county's planning manager, said. "We feel it's in the best interest of the county to do a grid. We don't have to procure right of way in a difficult situation."

The final decision, however, will be left with the Las Vegas City Council. Commissioners assume if the city insists upon the S-shaped road, it will pay for homes razed because of the new road.

"It is not a mere detail as to who's going to pay for those homes," Commissioner Myrna Williams said. "We're talking millions of dollars."

The county plans to enter an interlocal agreement with the city. And while city staff has seemed to be more supportive of the S-curve, Commissioner Lance Malone believes council members will approve the grid system.

When it's completed, Town Center will be a 2,000-acre development planted in a rural region, which includes county and city land. The two entities had anticipated heavy growth in the northwest and believe the project -- which will consist of commercial centers and high-density housing -- will keep development in a concentrated area, preserving rural neighborhoods.

The debate over the shape of the road has continued for months.