Armory would handle WMD response

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 | 9:02 a.m.

Clark County moved closer to establishing a new, National Guard armory that could help the region respond to a chemical, bacteriological or radioactive terrorist attack.

The County Commission on Tuesday, by a 7-0 vote, approved negotiations between the county's Aviation Department and the Nevada National Guard for the land to house the new armory. The building would be at Arville Street and Serene Avenue, and the National Guard would take over the property on a long-term lease, Aviation Department Director Randy Walker said.

The new armory would replace an existing armory in Henderson, but Maj. Gen. Giles Vanderhoof, adjutant general for the Nevada National Guard, said the new military facility would have an important new element: It could be home to a weapons-of-mass-destruction "civil support team," including a medical detachment, in the event of an attack on Las Vegas.

Vanderhoof said he is confident of getting about $12.4 million of the new armory's needed $18 million from the federal government if the National Guard has a place to put the armory. He said he has received support from the state's congressional delegation and local emergency officials, including Sheriff Bill Young.

"This is an ideal location" for such a facility, Vanderhoof said. "We need it down here."

The response team would include scientific and medical professionals and would not necessarily be stationed in Southern Nevada, he said. However, in the event of an attack the armory would include the needed facilities to respond.

At 95,000 square feet, the building would be a little larger than a typical armory, he said. Vanderhoof said one of the most important elements would be to support the local "first responders."

The armory also would be home to National Guard transportation, engineering and police units. Another armory in North Las Vegas would not be affected by the move, Lt. April Conway, Nevada National Guard spokeswoman said.

Several roadblocks could pose problems for the plan. Vanderhoof said he needs to show Congress that a site for a new armory is set before he can receive funding for the building, but he told the commission that opening the negotiations is probably enough for the go-ahead.

"Seeking federal funds, one of things you have to demonstrate is that you have the land," Vanderhoof said. "I think this formal commitment will serve."

The site would also have to receive approval for a zone change from the commission. It now is in a residential zoning area.

Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, who represents the area, and Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, who represents areas nearby, said that the needed zoning change would have to go through the regular county process.

Vanderhoof said he has not received any protests from residents on the project and expects to win support from landowners nearby.

"The old, square rectangle, painted green facilities are in the past," he said.

Boggs McDonald urged the National Guard representatives to bring a fully developed site plan to the commission as soon as possible.