Walters withdraws golf course proposal

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001 | 10:02 a.m.

Local golf course developer Billy Walters has withdrawn his application to operate a city golf course in northwest Las Vegas, saying the city's application process was inadequate.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, in his biweekly Town Hall meeting, announced Wednesday that Walters had withdrawn his application.

According to a letter written to the council members and mayor Wednesday, Walters said that he was withdrawing because of problems with the city's "request for proposal," and suggested the council reissue one "that is beyond criticism for content, clarity and structure."

"It is unfortunate that misinformation and lack of information have raised questions over the unanimous award to our company for the operation and management contract with the city of Las Vegas ..." he wrote.

The council on Oct. 3 chose to begin negotiating with Walters, going against a city evaluation panel that had unanimously recommended that the council choose another group, Evergreen Alliance Golf, because it more accurately responded to the city's requests.

The evaluation team compared the 11 responses that were required in the city's request for proposals and determined that Walters' proposal would have cost $8 million more over 10 years.

Critics said Walters was awarded negotiation rights because of his political clout, not because he was the best qualified.

In response, Walters released his own numbers that he said showed his proposal would have raised more revenue than Evergreen's.

Councilman Larry Brown said this morning that the design of the golf course has been completed, and construction will begin on the project in the next few days.