Henderson council briefs

Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001 | 10:41 a.m.

Funding approved for renovation

A $41 million construction project that will more than quadruple the size of Henderson City Hall should be advertised for bid Sept. 13.

The City Council on Tuesday approved funding for the expansion and renovation of the 50,000-square-foot building at 240 Water St. after more than four years of planning. The cost to taxpayers will be covered by a bond issued in February 2000.

The city employs 2,160 full- and part-time employees, nearly double the number of employees on the payroll four years ago.

During that same period, the population grew by 32 percent.

The plans approved Tuesday could cost as much as $65 million by the time the 219,000-square-foot addition and renovations to existing space are completed in 2004. The city has yet to find full funding for the project.

A bid could be awarded as soon as November, with construction set to begin in December. A $7.2 million parking garage, the first phase of the project, is expected to open in mid-October, about two months behind schedule.

Facility should open by next fall

A $3.9 million park in south central Henderson will house the Las Vegas Valley's first 2 1/2 acres of demonstration gardens.

The Henderson City Council on Tuesday awarded the construction bid for the 19-acre Acacia Park with money approved in a 1997 general park bond.

The park, southwest of U.S. 95 and Lake Mead Drive, should open next fall. It will include several ballfields and picnic areas with night lighting, a 10,000-square-foot tree farm and a 10,000-square-foot fenced-in dog park.

About a dozen demonstration gardens will be built, including a native Mohave desert garden, an allergy-free garden and an edible garden.

Kiosks, as well as classes taught by Parks and Recreation staff will show residents efficient ways of gardening in their own homes.

College will use industrial building

The Henderson City Council approved on Tuesday $225,000 to renovate a former vitamin plant for use by the Nevada State College at Henderson.

Earlier this year the city agreed to rent about 13,000 square feet of the building in the Wagon Wheel Industrial Park at a rate of $1 per year.

The city also has sold 73 acres to the state university system for about $4,000. A 2001 appraisal paid for by the city valued the land at closer to $6 million. But city code allows the sale of land at acquisition costs when a sale benefits the public.

Henderson officials say establishing the four-year state college locally is the city's top priority.