Goodman doesn’t want to share old post office

Diana Sahagun

Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 | 10:28 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman Thursday called a federal proposal to give the city title to the historic downtown post office "unacceptable."

Goodman, who has been working for more than two years to gain title to the building and turn it into a museum or art gallery, stumbled over the General Services Administration's latest proposal, which would give the city the building only if it allows the post office to stay.

"The terms are unacceptable," Goodman said.

The mayor wants full use of the building, and is continuing to discuss the proposal with the GSA. The city's business development office is trying to find a new downtown location for the post office and its employees, Goodman said.

"We're working on that to make sure that when we take title to it that we have the full use of the building," Goodman said. "We want to find the occupants another place, then we can do our feasibility study on the park and the museum aspect of it."

Negotiations with the government took place all year, after the building, the city's first federal courthouse built in the early 1930s, was declared surplus and fit for public disposal.

Goodman traveled to Washington several times to meet with GSA officials, and had several local meetings to discuss the city's interest. But his hopes took a turn this past summer when MASH Village indicated it was interested in gaining ownership of the building to turn it into a homeless services center. Later, Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Economic Opportunity Board expressed interest in acquiring the building.

All three groups eventually bowed out of the running, after prodding from Goodman.

The post office is part of the mayor's goal to redevelop downtown, by creating housing, shopping, and cultural opportunities. Goodman envisions a civic square with a museum, surrounded by a lush park where a parking lot currently sits. Goodman said he has had recent meetings with H & R Block representatives, who offered to contribute $250,000 as long as it was named the Cancer Survivors Park.

By the end of the year, Goodman said he hopes the agreement will be resolved so the city can begin making plans for the property.