MASH chief : Let’s work together on post office plan

Diana Sahagun

Friday, July 27, 2001 | 11:24 a.m.

The city of Las Vegas and MASH Village should work together to determine how the purchase of the historic U.S. Post Office building could benefit the homeless, regardless of who is given ownership, the Rev. Joe Carroll said.

Carroll, who oversees MASH Village, wants to transform the post office into a facility that would benefit homeless people.

The city has other plans. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman envisions an arts school or museum occupying the post office building on Stewart Avenue.

The city has not submitted a formal application to the federal government for the property, although it has expressed an interest in the building, Business Development Director Lesa Coder said.

The federal government has declared the property surplus and fit for public disposal.

Carroll said he is pursuing three options for the property, but he also has not submitted a formal application.

Carroll's options include using the building as a homeless shelter or trading the property for other land in the city that could ultimately be used to assist the homeless.

Another option, said Carroll, is for the city to help fund MASH Village so it could provide additional services for the homeless. This would be in lieu of obtaining the post office building.

"We need to get the city, MASH Village and concerned citizens to sit down and negotiate how we can get the best usage of this property," Carroll said.

Goodman said negotiations aren't necessary.

"To me it just doesn't make any sense that someone would try to interfere with what is best for Las Vegas, and that is to have a wonderful, cultural center right in the heart of everything," Goodman said Thursday.

"I can't speculate as to what the motives are, but I will make you a promise," Goodman said. "The city will have that (building). There will not be a homeless shelter there."

Carroll said he requested an application this month because because the property is available for homeless providers, as well as government entities. Under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, the federal government must make surplus land available to organizations that assist the homeless, such as MASH Village.

The federal government must first determine whether the property could benefit the homeless before it grants it to local governments or non-profit agencies, Carroll said.

Carroll said he and the city have until Oct. 9 to submit applications.

"We want to make use of this facility in one way or another to help the homeless," Carroll said.

Six years ago Carroll took part in a similar effort in San Diego, where he operates Father Joe's Villages, which are homeless shelters. Carroll and the city of San Diego applied for 35 acres that had been part of a naval training center.

The city wanted to keep the land to build high-end residential units; Carroll wanted to use the land to provide homeless services. The city is negotiating to give Carroll's company $7 million for the land, which will be used for additional homeless services.

Coder, who has overseen plans to acquire the post office, said although the federal government is required to consider the interests of the homeless it is not required to automatically accept proposals from homeless providers.

"The federal government has criteria to judge the applications, but the selection is up to them," Coder said.

Carroll said he is willing to meet with city leaders to discuss the best options regarding the property.

"I would be in support of the cultural arts center, but the city can't deny the fact that this building has to in some way benefit the homeless," Carroll said. "And we have an obligation to make sure that is taken into consideration."