Software firm plans major expansion

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, March 6, 2002 | 11:11 a.m.

Techies from the local Westwood Studios Inc. may one day design the newest video game for Sony Playstation 2 at a new high-tech campus in Summerlin.

Westwood Studios, a designer of video games and entertainment software, has outgrown its 25,000-square-foot home in Las Vegas and plans to expand its presence by anchoring a planned 38-acre technology campus in the Summerlin area.

"The city of Las Vegas has proven itself to be a great partner for Westwood throughout its 17-year history, and we're exploring options for a new, larger facility in Las Vegas," said Louis Castle, Westwood's co-founder and general manager.

The company has been eying an 80-acre parcel of Bureau of Land Management land near the northeast corner of Alta Drive and Hualapai Way and has been negotiating for more than a year with the city, which has a 40-year right to the site.

The City Council today approved an 80-acre development plan with BLT Management Group, Inc., in partnership with Thomas and Mack Development, for the high-tech campus.

The campus will sit on 38 acres, with Westwood Studios taking up half with a sound and movie studio, and the remaining acreage leased to other high-tech companies. The developer will also build a public park on 13 acres and 28 acres will be landscaped as part of a natural flood wash.

Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald, who represents the area, said the events of Sept. 11 showed that the city needs more jobs and the economy cannot continue to rely on the gaming industry. The expansion of Westwood is a step in that direction, she said.

"I think the more we can do to bring new industries into our community that are a clean industry, offer high-paying jobs and are high-tech, that should be our focus from an economic development perspective," she said.

The next step is for city staff to present an offer to the BLM for the 80-acre property.

Deputy City Manager Doug Selby said the city has a patent on the property from 1962, and will negotiate with the BLM for a final price on the land. BLT Management Group would then purchase the property from the city for the primary benefit of Westwood Studios, according to the plan.

BLT Management Group will pay the city $5 million to construct the campus and create a 13-acre public park which, once completed, will be returned to the city.

"This is one of the most exciting projects that has been brought to our attention since I was elected," Mayor Oscar Goodman said.

Founded in 1985 in Las Vegas, Westwood Studios develops and publishes games and entertainment software. It has grown from two to 250 full-time employees, who make an average annual salary of at least $78,000. Westwood develops games for the IBM PC and other popular video game systems, including the Sony Playstation 2 and Nintendo Game Cube.

"Out of any project that has come across my desk since I have served on the council, this is definitely among the most important to me because it deals with our economy and deals with jobs," Boggs McDonald said. "I see all of these within the context of jobs, jobs, jobs. That's what Las Vegas needs more of. Non-gaming, high-paying jobs."