Architect OK’d for state college

Mathis Winkler

Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

Nevada Public Works Board members Thursday approved an architectural firm for the proposed state college in Henderson, but not before chiding the Board of Regents over the way the firm was selected.

Regents chose San Francisco-based Field Paoli after a nationwide competition last summer and asked public works board members to sign off on their choice.

"We're left with no other options than this one firm," Sean Carnahan, chairman of the public works board, said. "We have to keep the regents grounded and keep them playing by the same rules."

But since public works officials supported the selection and board members had not complained about the process earlier, others said it was too late to stall the project.

"If the selection is a good one, I don't see any reason to throw roadblocks," said state Budget Director Perry Comeaux, a board member.

After the unanimous vote, Richard Moore, the college's founding president, thanked board members for their approval.

"I know fully well that this was a plan that may not have worked," he said, adding that university officials felt an architectural competition would bring attention to Nevada.