Goodman pitches downtown needs; county faces “challenges”

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000 | 12:40 p.m.

Las Vegas is in dire need of rejuvenating its downtown district while Clark County faces many "challenges," according to reports issued by Mayor Oscar Goodman and the county commission.

Goodman issued his first "state of the city" address Tuesday, saying downtown is suffering from neglect and threatens to become a "rotten apple" at the core of the city.

He called for programs ranging from major league sports to high-tech businesses, movie studios and cultural amenities.

Goodman said revitalizing downtown "is not only a dream of mine but a necessity of ours."

While Goodman was issuing his report, Clark County Commissioners were told the state of the county is "strong, challenging."

A 73-page report, which cost $30,000 for 1,200 copies, did not mention problems, but cited "challenges" and "opportunities."

"While the explosive growth experienced in Clark County over the past decade has resulted in a number of unique opportunities, it has also presented an unprecedented set of challenges," said commission Chairman Bruce Woodbury.

Achievements highlighted included:

-The district attorney's office prosecuted 18,000 felony cases, with a 90 percent jury trial conviction rate;

-Construction began on a $27 million expansion project for the Family and Youth Services campus;

-Jail inmates, volunteers and community service workers contributed more than 48,000 hours of work to local parks, saving taxpayers roughly $660,000.

Goodman announced his support for four major projects aimed at improving downtown. All face major obstacles. They include a sports arena, performing arts center, a new park adjacent to city hall and a fixed guideway system connecting the Strip to downtown.

"I have to accomplish this if I am going to say at the end of my term that I did a good job," Goodman said. "This will prove whether Oscar Goodman was able to accomplish (his) dreams."

Goodman wants to convert decaying neighborhoods near the downtown area into streets lined with apartments, townhouses, coffee shops and art galleries.

And he called for a $10 million city fund to help developers acquire and clear land for development.