City covets historic post office

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, June 20, 2001 | 10:33 a.m.

The first federal building constructed in Las Vegas in 1933 has been attractive to city officials for years because of its historic significance and potential for public use.

The federal courthouse and post office, at Stewart Avenue and Third Street, is seen as a treasure the city hopes to soon own.

The council today will decide whether to spend up to $75,000 to hire JMA Architecture Studios to analyze the building for another use. The company would determine the building's structural condition and assess the costs associated with buying and renovating it.

Mayor Oscar Goodman has been touting the benefits of preserving the building once the post office relocates, tossing out ideas to turn it into a museum, art or music college. He sees a green-space park where now there is a parking lot.

Goodman has had frequent discussions with representatives of the General Services Administration, which operates federal buildings.

With the help of Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., the property has been declared surplus, fit for public disposal, Goodman said.

"I think with its location, it's critical for the development of downtown," Goodman said this week. "I hope we can afford the building because I think it is vital for culture in the downtown area."

Lesa Coder, business development director, said the city must go through a number of steps in applying to become the next owner, steps she hopes will be complete by October.

With the next-door transportation center said to be relocating, it would give the city almost 3 acres to develop, Coder said.

The key element in the desire to own the building is its historical significance, she said.

The building is just a block from City Hall and in the city's redevelopment area. It's also near the historic Fifth Street School at Las Vegas Boulevard and Clark Avenue, where the city has offices and UNLV classes are offered.

"The post office is one of the two most important architectural facilities in the downtown area, one being the Fifth Street School," Goodman said. "Both are unique to Las Vegas."

Calling the project "near and dear" to him, Goodman admitted it would be expensive to acquire the building but said he believes he can secure private donations to help with the cost.