Goodman bubbling over downtown

Erin Neff

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2000 | 10:55 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman senses the momentum is building for downtown redevelopment due to a series of major announcements about planned projects.

"We're on fire downtown," Goodman said Wednesday on "POV Vegas," the Sun's news discussion television show that airs on Las Vegas ONE.

And to keep the momentum building, Goodman had planned to make an announcement today about a "major financial company ready to back the land" downtown that the city hopes to obtain from Lehman Brothers.

Although Goodman said he's keeping details reserved until his weekly press conference, he's still crowing about the recent developments.

"Every single day something happens," Goodman told "POV" host Mark Shaffer. "I think it comes about because of the energy. I have a big mouth, and I've been yapping."

Today's press conference marks the first televised by the city's KCLV cable Channel 2. Goodman hopes to use his weekly press conferences not just to answer questions, but to announce information about downtown progress.

Last week Goodman announced downtown plans for a high-tech incubator (a development to help start-up companies) backed by Cisco Systems, AT&T and Worldwide Wireless Networks.

And on Monday, Goodman toured a downtown parcel with representatives of International Furniture Mart, which is planning a 1-million-square-foot wholesale design center on Union Pacific property.

Goodman met again this week with representatives of the General Services Administration about the city's desire to obtain the post office building on Stewart Avenue when the offices within move to another location.

The mayor is eyeing that site for either a museum or art school with a park built in what is now an adjacent parking lot. One entrepreneur has already pledged interest in building the park if it can be named Cancer Survivors Park.

Goodman is hoping "the big stuff's still out there" and said the city will send requests for proposals to potential developers nationwide for the Lehman Brothers site the city has an agreement to obtain.

The request will go to owners of professional sports teams, including Lamar Hunt -- the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs and two Major League Soccer teams -- who has expressed interest in building a 20,000-seat arena.

Yet amid the positive movement, Goodman sobers when discussing the stalled Neonopolis project.

"They're on their high horse," Goodman said, referring to Neonopolis representatives with whom he spoke Tuesday. "Enough is enough. As far as I'm concerned, it's way too long."