Boulder City briefs for April 24, 2002

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

Post Office purchase OK'd

A museum that has found its niche in the history market, but has been cramped for space, should soon have a new home to consolidate its holdings.

The City Council on Tuesday approved the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association's purchase of the old Post Office building at 549 California Ave. through a $100,000 grant from the Clark County Commission.

Boulder City historian Dennis McBride said the museum will have to raise another $750,000 to renovate the 4,000-square-foot building, built in 1958. Today, McBride makes do with about 300 square feet of storage space, keeping historical records in private homes, city buildings and closets in the Boulder Dam Hotel.

The museum collects materials documenting the history of Hoover Dam, Boulder City, lower Colorado River developments and the Imperial Valley of Southern California of the 1920s and 1930s. Regular flooding of that region by the river led to construction of the dam.

Initiative approved for ballot

An initiative that would require a public vote for most leases of city-owned land has been approved for the September ballot.

Boulder City Clerk Vicki Mayes confirmed Tuesday that supporters of the land initiative turned in valid signatures in excess of the required 464 Boulder City registered voters.

The initiative would require a public vote for any lease of more than 1 acre of city-owned land for more than 10 years. Supporters say the new law would help limit the City Council's ability to lease land and help preserve its small town atmosphere.

City officials say that if the measure passes in the Sept. 3 primary election, the city will have trouble attracting new businesses willing to go through a politicized real estate deal.

Bryan, Faiss speak on U.S. 93 proposal

A pair of political powerbrokers reiterated support Tuesday for a $340 million highway bypass that would swing interstate traffic along U.S. 93 south of Boulder City.

Former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, now a Las Vegas attorney, and lobbyist Bob Faiss spoke to the Boulder City Council on behalf of an ad-hoc group, the Boulder City Bypass Coalition.

They asked Boulder City leaders to make their sentiments known in writing to the state and federal highway departments before the public comment period ends May 10.

"Not since the construction of the great dam which made this city possible has there been a public works project that could have such a profound effect on this community and on Southern Nevada," Bryan said.

Written comments should be sent to Daryl James, NDOT Environmental Division, 1263 S. Stewart St., Carson City, NV 89712.

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