Goodman sticking to mayoral ‘commitment’

Angela Soo

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001 | 9:53 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman on Tuesday attempted to end any talk that he is planning a run for the governor's office.

"I made a commitment when I ran (for mayor), and I plan to keep that commitment," Goodman said during a press conference at City Hall. "I will remain mayor until the end of the term."

Local politicians have touted Goodman as a potential candidate for governor, and rumors to that effect have persisted in recent months. Goodman, however, said there was no chance that he would run for governor or, for that matter, lieutenant governor.

"I'm the happiest mayor in the world," he said.

Goodman said he would run for re-election in 2003.

Goodman would have challenged current Gov. Kenny Guinn, who is planning to run for re-election next year.

"I respect Mayor Goodman's decision," Guinn said in a press release. "I know a decision like this isn't easy ... I look forward to working together with the mayor to address what is our first obligation -- the men and women of the resort industry in these tough economic times."

Another top priority for Goodman is continuing his work to revitalize downtown, a tougher task since the terrorist attacks, Goodman said.

"We were supposed to break ground on several downtown projects this month, but the projects were delayed," Goodman said.

Goodman referred to one downtown project, a discount retail mall to be built by Chelsea Property Group, that was slated to be approved by the City Council last week but was delayed 30 days.

The 430,000-square-foot, high-end retail mall -- Las Vegas Premium Outlets -- would sit on 30 acres at the corner of Bonneville Avenue and Grand Central Parkway.

But the mayor is confident that the delays would serve only as temporary setbacks.

"There's nothing to make me believe that these contracts will not be signed," Goodman said. "We're still going to develop the 61 acres."