Approval of Strip monorail project delayed

Thursday, Oct. 21, 1999 | 12:26 p.m.

Clark County commissioners have delayed for two weeks consideration of a controversial monorail system.

Commissioners will use the extra time to allow area residents and business owners to address issues such as noise and aesthetics.

"We're talking about lives here, and property," said Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates. "Before we can move forward and do this, we have to resolve some of these problems."

The commission is still expected to approve the privately-financed project when it comes before the commission early next month.

"With any process this massive, the public needs to be informed, and the commissioners did not feel that the information was out there," said Cam Walker, who is working with the monorail developers. "So we'll take these next two weeks and get the private property owners involved."

Some 20 million people a year are expected to use the four-mile long rail system, which would have stops at seven Strip locations.

The $650 million project, expected to open in 2003, still faces several obstacles including a legal challenge by area homeowners. Financing must also be approved by the state and county.

Several community leaders spoke up in favor of the project, including former Gov. Bob Miller who works for a law firm representing the developers.

Opponents claim the monorail will fail to meet revenue projections and taxpayers will be forced to pick up the tab if the project fails.

According to Bob Broadbent, who heads the monorail effort, there is language in the bond-issue agreement that protects taxpayers.

Lance Earl, an attorney for The Venetian, which opposes the project, isn't satisfied with that answer. Earl told the commission that even if the state does not have to directly pay should the monorail fail, its bond rating could be still be affected.