Board approves Blue Diamond project

Friday, July 23, 2004 | 9:20 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state Transportation Board Thursday approved the first phase of an $84 million project for improvements on State Route 160, the Blue Diamond Road in Las Vegas.

The board agreed to begin condemnation proceedings against five owners who have nine parcels needed for the project.

Jeff Fontaine, director of the department, said it would still continue to negotiate with the owners and hope to settle without going to trial. He told the board, in a conference call, the work must get started by September to get federal funds.

State Controller Kathy Augustine, who has been hit with an ethics complaint and is the target of a sexual harassment federal suit, abstained on the condemnation, saying that Fred Nassiri is a good friend. He owns 4.2 acres that the department seeks. Augustine is a member of the transportation board.

Board Chairman Gov. Kenny Guinn said even if these landowners are friends, the board is "moving to do something they don't want -- condemn their property."

The project proposes to widen State Route 160 from two lanes to eight lanes from Las Vegas Boulevard to Rainbow Boulevard and build a grade separation at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing.

The board authorized condemnation actions against Nassiri, Oasis Las Vegas, Alexandra Properties, Dorothy Sternberg Papazian and Herbst Development.