Mayor down on downtown slowdown

Erin Neff

Friday, April 21, 2000 | 11:19 a.m.

Mayor Oscar Goodman vowed to start "blasting" away at the private sector in an effort to get developers, bankers and gamers to help redevelopment efforts.

Showing a bit of the defiance he often exhibited on the campaign trail, Goodman seemed to be preparing Thursday to send that message by blowing up on Neonopolis and attempts to ban sports betting. "I'm getting a little bit of the runaround, as usual," Goodman told reporters at his weekly press conference in response to questions about an anchor tenant for Neonopolis.

Goodman said Fremont Street Experience President Mark Paris told him 10 days ago that he has seen a signed letter of intent from a company interested in anchoring the planned $99 million entertainment complex downtown.

"I still haven't seen it," Goodman said. "(Paris) won't show it to me."

Goodman also said attorneys are now firing letters back and forth arguing when the 90-day time limit governing the start for Neonopolis construction should start.

The development agreement between the city's Redevelopment Agency and Neonopolis developers World Entertainment Centers clearly states that construction of the entertainment center must begin within 90 days of the completion of the parking garage.

Although the original timeline called for the garage to be substantially completed last November, officials now argue the garage is still not finished.

"I think it's finished," Goodman said, his voice growing defiant. "I could probably park my car there."

Goodman's frustration with the project has trickled over to other areas of downtown revitalization.

On Thursday he announced plans to revamp the City Centre Development Corp., the private sector arm of city redevelopment efforts, by packing it with his appointments.

Mike Forche, CCDC's full-time director, might go to part-time, Goodman said. CCDC board member Nick Niarchos is being considered to come over as a director, either in a part- or full-time capacity.

The recent resignation of CCDC board president Jodi Goodheart creates one vacancy. If Niarchos moves over to the administrative side, it would create another vacancy.

Goodman also said there is a possibility board member Peter Thomas will resign so that he can take part in city revitalization efforts from the development side.

"It's conceivable there could be appointments to the point where a majority of the CCDC members would be Goodman appointments," Goodman said, adding that it would allow him freedom from "having to sink or swim with choices from past administrations."

Goodman recently won appointment for his law partner Marty Keach. Architect Steve Swisher also was recently appointed to the board. Swisher serves on an advisory committee to Councilman Michael Mack, a Goodman ally.

Asked whether his council colleagues would object to Goodman stacking the CCDC board, the mayor answered: "I believe we share the same position."

Goodman then switched gears, turning his frustration to efforts led by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to ban legal betting on sports.

He said Nevadans should be able to bet on any sport, whether basketball, hockey or football.

"Anything that moves," he added. "A cockroach."

Goodman said he thought McCain was simply being "thrown a bone" after his failed presidential bid.

If he had a chance to talk to McCain, Goodman said he would "tell him he's nuts and he should have stayed on the bus."