Old U.P. property: Think tank leaves city something to think about

Diana Sahagun

Monday, March 26, 2001 | 10:39 a.m.

What downtown Las Vegas needs in the vacant 61 acres formerly owned by Union Pacific is high-density residential development, a performing arts center and a bridge over the railroad tracks to the rest of downtown.

A team of professionals from the Urban Land Institute left this message with city staffers after a four-day visit to Las Vegas.

The city has given itself until May 2 to absorb the recommendations from the land-use think tank and choose from 10 proposals for the land near the County Government Center. The city's decisions will likely shape the future of downtown.

Though the members of the institute did not see the 10 proposals, James Goodell, chairman of the institute, painted a picture of what type of uses the 61 acres should include and how to make them work with nearby downtown.

To generate secondary effects, Goodell said, city officials must do whatever is possible to promote an academic medical center, performing arts center and high-density residential development on the site.

"This needs to stand on its own as a world-class project," Goodell said. "It needs to give Las Vegas a civic statement that is befitting of a major world-class city."

The professionals from the institute have helped develop downtowns across the United States from San Diego to New Jersey, and Goodell said Las Vegas suffers from the same kinds of problems.

"Las Vegas has what every city suffers from," Goodell said. "Growth which has traveled to the outskirts, 40-year old railroad properties, and a lack of quality residential."

Goodell said if the city wants the 61 acres to succeed it must make a definitive statement on what it wants before choosing from the proposals. Once it decides, the city should allow the applicants to alter proposals to incorporate the uses.

Although gaming is synonymous with downtown, Goodell said a casino component should be kept out of the 61 acres.

There must also be a physical connection for tourists to walk from the 61 acres to downtown -- a recommendation that will take some thought because the two areas are separated by a busy railroad.

"Connections between here and downtown have to be negotiated," Goodell said. "A major public works project has to be orchestrated."

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said the city will immediately put in place one recommendation made by the institute: to hire a full-time staff member to manage the day-to-day decisions of the 61 acres. The project has been overseen by Office of Business Development Director Lesa Coder.

Goodell said the project will take five to 10 years to complete, a timeline Goodman hopes to shrink.

"My only concern is that I'm an old man," Goodman said. "I really don't like to hear five to 10 years."

Goodell said downtown stakeholders are ready to embrace the possibilities for the 61 acres, in contrast to historic "antagonism" between downtown and the city.

"This will be a catalyst project," Goodell said. "For every dollar invested it will spin off $3 to $10 in secondary spin-offs downtown. As you think about the 61 acres, you have to think beyond the 61 acres."

Goodman said the city is ready to begin the process and believes it is the chance of a lifetime.

"I'm overwhelmed by the task that's before us, but we're ready for it," Goodman said.