UNR may get new building in Vegas

Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 | 10 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The University of Nevada, Reno is likely to get approval to establish a recruiting center and fund-raising office at a key location in Las Vegas, despite grumbling by some Clark County officials.

The center, which also would house the Reno school's extension service, would be eight miles from UNLV on 7 1/2 acres of federal land off Interstate 215 at Windmill Parkway.

Jane Nichols, chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada, told the Board of Regents Friday she has met with UNLV President Carol Harter and UNR President John Lilley, and all were in favor of the location.

But Nichols said there were some issues raised that must be resolved. She asked, and the regents agreed, to delay approval until the board's October meeting.

She said the delay will not jeopardize the proposal.

When the plan was revealed, Regent Mark Alden of Las Vegas raised an objection.

"If that's the case, we're going to have a provocative war," Alden said, suggesting UNLV should establish a presence in Reno.

UNR says it is a money-saving proposal. It currently pays $608,400 a year in leases for three Southern Nevada locations. The school wants to issue a $7.2 million bond for a building, and the annual payments would be $520,900.