‘Oscar’s River’ flows downtown

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002 | 10:59 a.m.

About three hours after Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman officially opened a public plaza downtown complete with a waterway already becoming known as "Oscar's River," an uninvited guest decided to test the clear water that runs through the block-long park Tuesday.

A man who is apparently homeless man stripped down to his boxer shorts and went for a swim at about 2 p.m. in a fountain by a waterfall in the plaza that sits where Lewis Avenue ran between Las Vegas Boulevard and Fourth Street.

Five minutes later the man was on his way.

When told about the incident Goodman joked that the man must have learned the "secret" about what really flows through the plaza.

"What, he was in there trying to drink my gin?" said Goodman, a former Beefeater man whose new taste -- and apparent sponsor -- is Bombay Sapphire. "What do you think the clear liquid that flows through there is?"

Goodman said that the man was most likely just excited about the new plaza that is part of the Lewis Avenue corridor project designed to revitalize the area between the Clark County Detention Center and the George Federal Building.

"Everyone is heading over there," Goodman said. "It's the beautiful heart of what we're trying to do down there."

The area includes a waterfall that empties into a waterway that runs the length of the block. Rocks and trees landscape the area, and benches are set off to each side. Those walking east through the plaza can see the unique architecture of the George building and its grounds looming above the plaza.

Goodman said that city marshals are responsible for keeping the area pristine.

Metro Police Officer Tirso Dominguez, a department spokesman, said that while city facilities are generally the responsibility of the city marshals, Metro officers would take action if they saw a crime, such as indecent exposure, taking place in the plaza.

The plaza is next door to Metro's downtown area substation.