Chamber leader says city needs redevelopment plan

Jennifer Shubinski

Friday, Jan. 23, 2004 | 11:09 a.m.

The chairman of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce says the city needs to continue to diversify its economy and must face up to growth issues.

Peter DeMangus spoke Thursday on the city's business outlook at its State of the City event. Mayor Michael Montandon also spoke to the group of city officials and business leaders.

"There are challenges and opportunities that have come with the unprecedented growth in North Las Vegas," said DeMangus, also general manager of Jerry's Nugget casino in North Las Vegas.

He said building new roads and maintaining old ones, redevelopment of older parts of the city and the availability of a skilled work force are all issues the city faces.

"We are not just about housing and hospitality anymore," he said of the work force issue.

The city has seen unprecedented growth with the opening last year of the planned community Aliante. The city also has had success with its Cheyenne Avenue corridor of offices and warehouses.

"We are lucky to be in a city that allows and embraces growth," DeMangus said.

DeMangus said he is excited about the future of North Las Vegas, but cautioned that the city needs to continue to diversify its company base and that the city needs to grow in a smart way.

Both newer areas of town and older areas, such as downtown North Las Vegas, have challenges, he said.

DeMangus said the city needs a strong redevelopment plan to help older areas of town that have not seen as much growth as other areas. He also said infrastructure needs to be addressed.

"Transportation needs to be addressed," he said. "The roads don't keep up with the businesses that are out there."

Sheldon Rayman, owner of Sign-A-Rama in North Las Vegas, can attest to that. But he's not complaining.

When Rayman looks out the front door of his business at 2707 E. Craig Rd., he sees construction on streets and he sees businesses that have continued to move in since he opened his business six years ago.

"I have definitely seen the growth," he said. "When I opened six and a half years ago, there was a bunch of empty fields across from me. Now I'm looking at all the buildings going up."

Rayman said while construction on area streets has created some problems, it is merely a challenge to overcome.

"We have a new policy to deliver than to have people come here," he said. "It's not fair to have them go through all of this."

He said the growth of the city is good for him, because "everybody needs signs."