Stadium not a stumbling block for development

Diana Sahagun

Friday, Aug. 10, 2001 | 10:33 a.m.

Southwest Sports Group, a company specializing in building minor league stadiums, would agree to a deal to develop the prime 61-acre parcel downtown even if the project does not include a stadium, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday.

Goodman said he asked company representatives last week whether they would stay on board as the master developer for the property, even if the council restricted them from building an arena. Goodman said he was told the company would move forward.

Southwest Sports representatives did not return calls for comment Thursday.

Southwest Sports is in the midst of a 60-day negotiating period with the city. Last month, the council chose Southwest Sports and Mandalay Sports Entertainment as the master developer for the 61 acres.

At the council's Sept. 5 meeting, the developers must submit an exclusive negotiating agreement to the city that will spell out what the company hopes to accomplish on the property. If the council approves the agreement, Southwest Sports will have six months to spell out specific plans for the site.

Although Goodman is being pushed by Southwest Sports representatives to approve a minor league baseball stadium on the site as a new home for the Las Vegas 51s, the mayor still has not changed his mind about what he wants on the property.

"I have an open mind, but I want a major league team," Goodman said.

Goodman said the property must include an academic medical center, performing arts center, and high-density residential. If there is room for a stadium and the developer wants to pay for it, Goodman said he would approve.

Dr. Robert Miller, dean of the University of Nevada School of Medicine, said Thursday that he has met three times with Southwest Sports representatives and is hopeful an academic medical center will be built on the property.

"They have been very receptive, and interested in working with us," Miller said.

Miller said Southwest Sports representatives are interested in working with other developers -- who have expertise in medical campuses -- to build a downtown campus on approximately 20 acres.

"It's like motherhood and apple pie. It's something that we desperately need," Miller said of an academic medical center.