Hearing planned on Alta changes

Diana Sahagun

Tuesday, March 19, 2002 | 9:21 a.m.

When Jerry and Lois Tarkanian moved into an affluent neighborhood off Alta Drive about 30 years ago, traffic congestion on the road was of little concern.

But things have changed.

The historic residential community west of downtown Las Vegas has become choked by drivers trying to avoid the gridlock from nearby Charleston Boulevard and Interstate 15.

In an effort to preserve the residential neighborhood, the city of Las Vegas is finishing plans for a beautification project, transforming Alta between Rancho Drive and Lacy Lane into a tree-lined, meandering street that includes sidewalks and decorative lighting.

The plan is to reduce Alta -- now 37 feet wide in some areas -- to 34 feet and install curbs and gutters, sidewalks, landscaping and room for delivery trucks and postal workers to pull over without stopping traffic.

The City Council Wednesday is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the creation of two special improvement districts, the last step before the project goes out to bid. The project will cost $1.8 million, with 37 abutting property owners assessed for landscape maintenance.

Lois Tarkanian, a former Clark County School Board member and wife of the former University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball coach, said she hopes the project will ease congestion and help the neighborhood recapture its serenity.

"It had a country-like atmosphere with horses and rabbits, and you know you can't have that forever," Lois Tarkanian said. "But we're just saying, let's make some accommodations for the people who have lived here a long time."

Dick Goecke, the city's Public Works director, said construction could begin by the summer and will continue for several months.

The construction will be funded mostly from city and street rehab funds, Goecke said. About $200,000 will be assessed on 37 abutting property owners and must be repayed over 10 years.

The property owners will be assessed annually for landscape maintenance, based on lot size. A final cost will be levied once construction is completed and a final public hearing is held.

Councilman Michael McDonald said he has become frustrated over project delays, some of which he says were caused by a fellow councilman.

"It seems there were many delays, but overall I think the tenacity of the neighbors has shown this is a project that is needed for the neighborhood, and the neighbors fully endorse it," he said.