LV seeks leader in developing new downtown parcel

Erin Neff

Friday, June 30, 2000 | 10:21 a.m.

Now that the city of Las Vegas has a huge chunk of prime real estate ready for development downtown it is looking for a qualified person to lead the charge.

Hiring a director of the Office of Business Development has become the main focus in City Hall now that terms of a land swap with Lehman Brothers have been reached.

The director, who will be hired in a range of $77,000 and $128,340, will be charged with providing the mayor and city manager assistance in all aspects of redevelopment efforts.

"We're really looking for someone who has a mix," said Deputy City Manager Steve Houchens. "Someone who's directed economic development before in a government environment with some private-sector experience would know how to work things through the organization."

Houchens, City Manager Virginia Valentine and Mayor Oscar Goodman have interviewed several local candidates who have applied for the position.

"We're still searching," Houchens said. "I don't know if we're to a decision yet at this point."

Goodman was expected to meet today with one of the candidates.

The Office of Business Development has undergone the most scrutiny of any city department under Goodman's watch.

Director Jeff Maresh, Assistance Manager Mario Garcia and Economic Development Manager Mike Majewski all resigned after being asked to do so.

After their resignations, the city consolidated the office's efforts with those of the City Centre Development Corp. City Centre, a private-sector arm of city redevelopment efforts, now reports to the Office of Business Development.

The deal with Lehman, announced Tuesday, gives the city 61 acres of undeveloped land downtown in exchange for 97 acres and $2 million in cash at the city's northwest technology park.

Goodman said the downtown land is the city's greatest opportunity to revitalize the urban core. There are no immediate plans for development of the site, and the land swap won't receive final approval until Sept. 1.

In addition to the search for a business development director, the city must also focus hiring efforts for an anticipated vacancy in human resources.

Raymond Visconti, Clark County's assistant human resources director, was offered the city's human resources director job at a salary of $96,400. After initially accepting the position, Visconti decided to reject the offer due to a counteroffer from the county.

Rick Anderson, the city's current human resources director, has decided to retire to pursue teaching and business opportunities in California. His last day of work is tentatively scheduled to be July 28.