Date for building of college uncertain

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000 | 11:09 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Construction of the Henderson State College could begin in 2003 if designs are funded this year and the governor and Legislature follow through with approvals for an initial classroom and student services building.

There had been talk previously of opening the college next year, but it appears state financing is no longer available for an opening that soon.

However, the date could change because the school has a strong ally in Assembly Majority Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, who has pushed for an early start for the college.

The state Public Works Board recommended Monday that $900,000 be set aside to begin planning the initial construction. The recommendation came as part of a $278.6 million statewide construction proposal that the board forwarded to Gov. Kenny Guinn for his approval.

The Board of Regents had asked the Public Works Board to approve a $36 million classroom and student services building, with $10 million coming from private donations. But the board opted to include only the $900,000 for planning. If only the smaller amount is approved by Guinn and the Legislature, construction on the building won't be able to start until 2003.

Altogether the regents had asked for $309.8 million for 20 projects. The Public Works Board, however, recommended a total of $81.8 million for six construction projects.

Included were $11 million to finish projects at the Community College of Southern Nevada, the Western Nevada Community College, the Desert Research Institute and the Redfield Campus in Reno.

Also, $9 million to begin planning a science-engineering complex for UNLV, $20 million for a health, science and bio-tech building at CCSN, and $23.8 million for a 48,068-square-foot expansion and refurbishing of existing space at UNLV's Wright Hall.

In addition to this money, the board decided to allocate $1 million for planning and designing the $20 million telecommunications building at CCSN and $300,000 for design of a $6.6 million UNLV Student Services Building.

The biggest spending projects recommended by the board were the third phase of the High Desert State Prison in Clark County for $53 million and $33 million for a state office building in Carson City.

Board member Val Garner of Las Vegas said the prison has come in with an alternate plan that could save $11 million.

But State Budget Director Perry Comeaux, who is chairman of the Public Works Board, said the staff is not comfortable with the prison's suggestion. There is a question of whether less expensive pre-fab cells would be durable. Further study will be done to determine if the $11 million can be saved.

Spending for the state office building is sure to receive Guinn's approval. He has been complaining the state spends too much in leasing private office space. Mike Mizell, director of the state Division of Buildings and Grounds, said state agencies pay about $18 million a year in renting about 1.2 million square feet of private office space.

The board included $3.8 million to reopen the Southern Nevada Correctional Center at Jean. There is $2.9 million for relocating the state motor pool in Las Vegas from McCarran International Airport to a site near UNLV. And $2.4 million is suggested to remodel the Nevada Highway Patrol building on East Sahara in Las Vegas for offices for the state Division of Parole and Probation.