Projects being lined up for downtown parcel

Judy Odierna

Friday, April 11, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.

As members of the Las Vegas City Council, city administrators and experts engage in a two-day brainstorming session to plan the development of the 61-acre parcel of land downtown, Mayor Oscar Goodman on Thursday said that several projects are under consideration.

Goodman said that he met with representatives of Hogs & Heifers Saloon, which is interested in opening a branch in Las Vegas.

Hogs & Heifers is a popular bar in New York City known for its wall of celebrity brassieres and bar-top dancing.

Goodman also expects to make several announcements regarding two medical projects being considered for the city's 61 acres.

One is the Jerry Lewis Spine and Pain Hospital, which was approved to open in Las Vegas by a state Senate committee on Monday. The hospital will be named after the entertainer who has been a supporter of the project.

Benjamin H. Venger and his partner, Jeff Simmons, are planning to build an $18 million to $20 million, 15-bed hospital for spinal injury treatment and pain management and are considering a downtown site.

"Hopefully it will be the first medical facility on the 61 acres," Goodman said.

A second announcement could come as early as today, as the Nevada Cancer Institute plans to make several announcements that they say will have a significant impact on cancer care in the state.

The Nevada Cancer Institute is a federally funded, nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer care and research.

The institute's goal is to establish a world-class comprehensive cancer care facility focusing on research, education and clinical care. The institute was conceived and developed by Heather and Jim Murren. Jim Murren is president and chief financial officer at MGM-MIRAGE.

Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., announced Thursday that they have secured $1.9 million for the institute's continued progress.

The Nevada Cancer Institute has a working partnership with the University of Nevada in both Reno and Las Vegas and with the university's medical school.

The announcements came just days after Goodman was re-elected to another four-year term.

"Things are happening," Goodman said. "The seeds that were planted the first four years are budding."