Lake Mead ‘island’ eyed for redevelopment

Mathis Winkler

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2001 | 9:40 a.m.

Meeting The North Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency will discuss Lake Mead Island during a meeting on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive.

For years, they have searched for ways to fix up Lake Mead "island," a 6.7-acre stretch between Lake Mead Boulevard's east- and west-bound lanes near the Interstate15 freeway.

"When you have people first come into your community, you want them to see the best that you have to offer," said Jacque Risner, who is in charge of redevelopment as the city's community development director.

It's like meeting someone for the first time, Risner said. First impressions tend to stick, and blight's not what North Las Vegas wants to be known for, she said.

When, how and if the land will receive a makeover is still uncertain, but Risner said city officials are at least gathering all the necessary information to make a decision about the site's future.

"We've been looking at this for a long time, but never had enough information," she said. "This time, we're trying to cover all of our bases."

On Wednesday, City Council members, who also oversee the city's redevelopment agency, will hear a developer's perspective on possible projects for the island. They'll also get an idea of what it would cost to relocate businesses and residents.

Council members already know that it would cost at least $4.1 million to $5.5 million to buy the land.

So far, the city has neither the plans nor the money to start purchasing property, Risner said, adding that council members also may decide to focus on other parts of the city's two redevelopment areas instead.

Some island landlords say they're bothered by the lack of certainty about the city's plans.

Michele Curran, for example, said she would want to be first in line to sell her property to the city.

Curran owns Unique Enterprises Inc., a company that makes coin wrapping paper and distributes other small casino supplies. Her business sits at the corner of Lake Mead Boulevard and Fifth Street.

When she first moved her company to the island more than 20 years ago, city officials were eager to have her, she said, noting that things changed when officials at City Hall began to think about redevelopment.

"They don't allow any major improvements to the property that increase value," Curran said. She can't even pave an area of gravel in her driveway without losing her permanent business license, she said.

"I feel they do not want me here," she said. "I feel as though what they're doing is detrimental to business."

Other property owners say they're not interested in selling to the city.

Evan Ranes, who owns a strip mall on the island, said he is worried about what will happen to his tenants once the city begins to redevelop the area.

"I wouldn't want them taking my property and dislocating my tenants so that some other developer can get a sweetheart deal," Ranes said.

He added that he may be willing to talk about a sale if the city plans to develop the land for public use, such as a park or a school.

Risner said legal, medical or financial offices or a college satellite campus are the most likely contenders to come to the island. It needs to be something that attracts clients rather than a shopping center, which relies on drive-by customers.

At the island's westernmost end, property owner Gordon Marx said a sale is out of the question after the city rejected several attempts by him to lease the site.

"Hell will freeze over before they get my property," he said. The land "sits there as an ugly eyesore. Apparently it may stay that way forever, but I guess that's what they want."

Not at all, said Councilwoman Shari Buck, who serves as the redevelopment agency's vice chair. While she said that she didn't know the specifics about Marx's situation, his comments showed that something had to be done.

"It emphasizes why we need to get together and get going on this," Buck said. "We want our businesses downtown to be successful, and we can do a better job of helping with that."

Buck said she plans to suggest the hiring of a consultant to help city officials develop a comprehensive redevelopment plan in the next few months. She added that she hopes council members will discuss the issue at length at a retreat, which will likely take place later this month.