Courthouse not likely to open until 2003

Kim Smith

Monday, Oct. 15, 2001 | 9:50 a.m.

Clark County's new courthouse likely won't open for business until early 2003, more than a year later than expected.

District Judge Michael Douglas announced at a judges' meeting last week that the Regional Justice Center, at Clark Avenue and Third Street, is expected to be "substantially completed" by September 2002 and ready for occupancy three to six months later.

After the building is up, contractors will have to work on the high rise's air-conditioning and heating systems, telecommunications network, security system and computer infrastructure, Assistant County Manager Mike Alastuey said.

The center originally was supposed to open early next year, but construction has been hampered by a variety of problems -- so many that the Clark County commissioners hired a construction consultant earlier this year to monitor the situation.

Consultant Marty Solomon has "increased the possibility we'll get the project we're expecting," Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Davidson said Friday.

The project first ran into trouble when contractors found more caliche than expected while digging the building's foundation, Davidson said. In addition, contractors failed to take steps to protect the project during heavy rains last February, which led to concerns that the county could end up with a mold problem in the future.

Contractors agreed to fix the problem.

Solomon, meanwhile, has become "intimately familar" with the contracts and specifications on the project and is vigilant in his role, Davidson said.

"Our goal is to see the project completed as expeditiously as possible and to see that the folks in our community get the facility they deserve," Davidson said. "There's no question but that the project has experienced delays that we're not happy about, but we hope to be able to stay on track with the dates we've now been given."

Alastuey said the building has been topped off and contractors are working on finishing the exterior. They will then begin "fleshing out" the interior.

Those expected to have a new home in the building are planning their move to the new facility, a process that is expected to be lengthy, Alastuey said.

The 18-story justice center will house Las Vegas municipal courts, Las Vegas Township justice courts, the district courts, the Nevada Supreme Court, the county clerk's office and a portion of the district attorney's office.