LV moves ahead with museum plan

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001 | 9:01 a.m.

The city of Las Vegas plans to send an application to the federal government this week, asking for ownership of the historic downtown federal courthouse and post office, which it wants to turn into a museum.

The City Council this morning was expected to approve a resolution authorizing Mayor Oscar Goodman to submit the application to the General Services Administration.

The city has until Oct. 17 to apply but may have to compete with two local groups that have expressed interest in the surplus property: Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America and MASH Village.

JMA Architects, which the city hired to analyze the building's condition, envisions a civic square with a museum, surrounded by a lush park -- where a parking lot currently sits -- and an outdoor museum that would continue along Third Street to the Fremont Street Experience.

The post office is sandwiched between City Hall and a parcel proposed for a 7,000- to 10,000-seat arena on Stewart Avenue.

The architects recommended the city acquire the building and turn it into a museum, to preserve its historic integrity and to create a cultural hub for downtown.

The study found that the building -- the city's first federal building built in 1933 -- has normal wear and tear but is in good structural condition. Some renovation would be needed, including replacing plumbing and fixtures, according to the study.

The study also analyzed three other uses for the post office: residential/office, retail or an educational facility. But it found that the city would have to pay millions to acquire the building for those uses.

If the post office were turned into a museum, run by a nonprofit company that would share revenue with the city, the building would come at no cost to the city, Business Development Director Lesa Coder said Tuesday.

The study estimated that the museum would generate $1.2 million in revenue annually. While a educational facility would generate more revenue, the consultants found the use did not address the city's goal for a cultural center downtown.

"In terms of the city's long-term plans for downtown and compatibility with the character of the downtown area, a museum would provide a greater benefit than an educational facility," the consultants wrote.

Goodman has touted the possibility of a park surrounding the future museum, and was approached last year by H&R Block representatives, who offered to contribute $250,000 as long as it was named the Cancer Survivors Park.

"I can't think of any other city that doesn't have a downtown park," Goodman said.