Mayor reiterates brothels would help downtown

By Ed Koch

Friday, Oct. 24, 2003 | 9:35 a.m.

Although Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman insists he is not advocating legalized prostitution, on Thursday he continued to talk about the possible advantages of bringing it to his city.

At his weekly news conference Goodman said "a substantial casino executive" suggested turning run-down Fremont Street into a bordello-lined "Little Amsterdam."

Asked how that would enhance downtown redevelopment efforts, Goodman said it would "turn old motels into beautiful brothels."

Goodman's public discussion about the idea began Wednesday morning on a talk radio show. Goodman said that as a result his office received 10 calls before 10 a.m. -- seven in support of legalized prostitution, three against.

Goodman said as a citizen he supports the concept of legalized prostitution as it is practiced and marketed in the brothels of Pahrump. As mayor he says he has no official stand on the issue.

"I can't help how people perceive my message," Goodman said regarding those who see his opinion as an endorsement.

Goodman acknowledged the controversial nature of some of his personal views, noting that years before he became mayor he suggested the legalization of marijuana, calling the so-called war on drugs a "miserable social failure."

Goodman said on one of his recent morning walks a person he did not identify by name suggested turning the stretch along Fremont Street from Eighth Street to Eastern Avenue into a "Little Amsterdam," with legalized houses of prostitution.

Goodman says he understands the arguments for and against legalized prostitution -- the morality and religious issues of those against it and the economic benefits and safe sex issues suggested by those in favor of it.

Legalization of prostitution would take a change in state law because prostitution is illegal in the most populous of the state's 17 counties -- Clark and Washoe. Goodman said a voter referendum probably would be the best way to go for people who want to change the law.

Goodman said he does not believe that regulating legalized prostitution in Las Vegas would be a problem, given that the smaller counties with their limited resources have long been policing the industry.