Changes seen in redevelopment efforts

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 | 8:50 a.m.

Henderson may head down a different road in its effort to bring new development to city-owned land downtown.

The Henderson Redevelopment Agency Advisory Commission voted 4-0 Tuesday to recommend the City Council reject proposals for developing about 8.5 acres on two sites off Water Street.

A proposal from developer Jerry E. Polis called for a $4.1 million city subsidy to help pay for two two-story buildings that would include a museum, retail and office space. The building was proposed for the 3.6 acres at the corner of Water Street and Basic Road that is now a parking lot.

Development company Civic Partners submitted what a staff memo referred to as a "generic proposal" to develop the downtown sites in five phases. Specifics of their proposal were not given, staff said.

The other city property involved in this redevelopment plan is almost 5 acres on two sides of Victory Road at the Water Street intersection.

A third developer who also submitted a proposal in December later withdrew from consideration.

The council will probably vote on the commission's recommendation on June 17, Redevelopment Manager Robert Ryan said.

Instead of soliciting general proposals from developers, Ryan said in the future the city should work with developers one-on-one to come up with more feasible plans.

Commission member Phil Ralston agreed that the direct approach probably is the best way to develop the properties.

He said the route used by the city had resulted in "one proposal (that) didn't make financial sense, and the other was not specific to the call ... it was almost not applicable."