NLV planners approve space campus

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000 | 10:45 a.m.

Space visionary Robert Bigelow said Wednesday that he is eager to break ground on his new 40-acre space campus in North Las Vegas.

Bigelow got the go-ahead to move forward with the project after receiving approval on his site plans by the Planning Commission. While the next step is pulling the necessary building permits, the City Council must still approve Bigelow's request for a zoning change.

The high-tech campus is expected to consist of a rocket-shaped building, a visitors' center and six other buildings.

Bigelow plans to break ground by next year for phase one of the project, which includes a 40,000-square-foot building and the visitor's center.

Bigelow anounced plans last year to build his space campus near Red Rock Canyon, but told the Sun that plans fell through because codes in the master-planned community of Summerlin do not allow airplane hangars -- which is where a great deal of his work will take place.

His company has plans to design, engineer, build and assemble hardware to be launched into space.

"The site (in North Las Vegas) is in an industrial area, so it was logical for us to be near an airport," he said of the new site near Brooks Avenue and Clayton Street.

Bigelow has approval to build an 8-foot perimeter fence around the property, and said he will have different security codes at all gates and buildings. There will also be security guards on the property 24 hours a day.

Bigelow -- who owns the Budget Suites motel chain in Las Vegas, Arizona and Texas -- has pledged $500 million of his own money to fund the development of Translunar Cruise Ships, with the ultimate goal of taking 100 guests and a crew of 50 on six-day cruises to the moon.