Henderson’s downtown residents may not have to move

Greg Harman

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000 | 11:05 a.m.

Henderson residents dueling with a developer over the right to stay in their homes in the wake of what could be the city's first significant downtown redevelopment project may get to stay put.

An attorney for developer Phyllis E. Thompson Cos. submitted a "sketch" to the city's acting redevelopment officer Wednesday for a revised project that renders unnecessary the inclusion of five residential properties whose owners have resisted the company's overtures.

Victor Vincent, executive vice president of Thompson Cos., refused to answer questions concerning the revision at Wednesday's meeting with property owners. Instead he referred all questions to the company's attorney, Doug Malen.

"We have a situation that we might not be able to come to terms with some of the property owners," Malen said. "So we thought, 'What do we absolutely have to have?' "

The new plan will maintain the same square footage but fit into a smaller footprint.

"We have to work out some technical details, and we have to make sure we have adequate parking. We're interested in pursuing a workable project," Malen said.

The unexpected announcement was greeted with a sigh of relief from a small band of property owners attending the meeting. Randy Stanton, whose mother's property is one of those potentially affected, said his mom would rather be bordered by a busy parking lot than move.

Thompson Cos. is hoping to launch the first phase of what could be a $100 million project known as Fountain Plaza this fall. But rocky negotiations and financial questions continue to threaten the firm's development timeline, which hinges on a September 2001 opening for its pivotal tenant, a pharmacy college with classes scheduled to start that month.

Bob Wilson, the city's acting redevelopment officer, said the revised plan might be the company's only feasible choice -- but it will force delays.

"I don't think they have a choice. Either they go forward with what they have or they continue negotiations," Wilson said.

Concerns over eminent domain, the process by which a governmental body may acquire private property from an unwilling seller for a public purpose, have largely subsided in recent weeks thanks to several private meetings between property owners and Henderson City Council members.