Another claim lodged for historic post office

Diana Sahagun

Monday, July 30, 2001 | 11:15 a.m.

Another local group that is vying for ownership of the historic U.S. Post Office on Stewart Avenue has created even more competition for Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who wants to transform the building into a museum, arts or music school or city park.

Rev. Joe Carroll, who heads MASH Village and is considering turning the building into a homeless shelter, announced last week that he has received an application from the federal government's General Services Administration.

Now, Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America at 1630 Sunset Drive has expressed interest in the building and has received an application packet from the GSA.

Interested parties have until Oct. 17 to submit an application to the General Services Administration, which will take 25 days to determine which group can purchase the building.

Federal law gives priority to organizations that benefit the homeless. It then considers local governments and other nonprofit organizations.

Goodman has been working the past two years to have the building deemed surplus and fit for public disposal. He has received help along the way from Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev.

Lupo Quitoriano, president of the local chapter of Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America, said he wants to turn the building into a transitional living shelter for homeless veterans.

Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America is a nonprofit corporation that works to improve the quality of life for disabled veterans in Nevada. The local group, one of 35 chapters in the United States, promotes education and additional research for spinal cord injuries.

Goodman said last week that redevelopment efforts would be hindered if the post office becomes anything but a cultural center.

The post office is near a parcel proposed for a 7,000- to 10,000-seat arena on Stewart Avenue. It also is near a 61-acre project downtown that Goodman has called the "jewel of the desert."

"The city will have that building," Goodman said last week. "There will not be a homeless shelter there."