City Council briefs for May 17, 2001

Thursday, May 17, 2001 | 10:33 a.m.

Land for new garage approved

A new parking garage could soon be built in downtown Las Vegas.

The City Council on Wednesday approved the purchase of 2 acres near the Regional Justice Center, at Clark Avenue and Third Street.

The city will purchase the land, owned by Bank of America, for $2.73 million. City staff will do a feasibility study into the cost of building a garage and whether to include a retail component or residential complex.

According to preliminary analysis, construction of a five-story parking garage on the entire 2 acres would cost the city $13.8 million, including land and construction. The garage would provide 1,650 spaces.

A second option, an eight-story parking garage on half of the land, would cost the city $9.9 million, including land and construction. The garage would provide 1,200 spaces.

City officials estimate the Regional Justice Center will need 2,700 spaces for jurors and visitors when it opens next year.

Two companies vie for location

The office of Business Development will begin negotiating with two developers who are interested in building on a downtown site seen as a new target for redevelopment efforts.

The council approved a 60-day exclusive negotiating agreement with Real Property Services Corp. and Pioneer Endeavors Inc. for the property at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Clark Avenue.

Allan Bird, who heads Real Property Services, is interested in building an affordable housing complex on the site. Pioneer Endeavors is interested in building an office complex.

Private attorneys considered for job

The city will renew a contract with the Clark County public defender's office, but next year may privatize the services.

The city has a contract with Clark County in which its public defenders represent misdemeanor cases for indigents in Municipal Court.

Last year the public defenders, who are paid $75 per case, managed 4,800 cases for the city.

The city next year will consider terminating the contract and allowing local law firms to compete for the contract, which would save the city money.

Hom Group will get $2.5 million loan

The city's Neighborhood Services Department and Redevelopment Agency will provide a $2.5 million loan to the Tom Hom Group to help construction of the downtown L'Octaine housing development.

L'Octaine, a 51-unit complex featuring studios, one- and two-bedrooms apartments and lofts, will include 4,000 square feet of retail space facing Las Vegas Boulevard at Gass Avenue.

Although ground was supposed to have been been broken in December 2000, company representatives said the project has been delayed and construction should begin in 90 days.

City sells 6 acres for medical offices

The city will gain almost $3 million in revenue, thanks to the sale of 6 acres.

Box Canyon Professional Park LLC. will purchase 6.16 acres from the city in the Las Vegas Technology Center for $2.96 million, for the construction of professional medical and office facilities.

In addition to revenue from the sale, the city will receive an estimated $48,060 in taxes from the property. Construction of the project will begin within one year.

Tavern license extended one year

The Las Vegas City Council approved a one-year extension of a tavern permit for a controversial topless club, despite one protest.

The site of the proposed Board Room, a 20,198-square-foot complex near Rancho Drive and Sahara Avenue, is across from a business owned by John Lonetti.

Attorney Garry Hayes, representing Lonetti, protested the item because of concerns over traffic and how it would impact Lonetti's business.

Attorney Bob Gronauer, who represents brothers Ali and Hassan Davari, who are building the topless club, said he would meet with Hayes to try to resolve the parking issues before the site plans are submitted to the Planning Commission in the coming months.

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