Settlement reached in defect suit

Friday, June 11, 2004 | 11:06 a.m.

The Green Valley Ranch Community Association has reached a $6.4 million settlement in a construction defect lawsuit against American Nevada Company.

The majority of the settlement amount will cover improvements to about 16 miles of block wall running through the Henderson planned community, said Scott Canepa, an attorney for the association. Additional funds will be used on components -- including gazebos and other structures -- in the community's common areas, he said.

The majority of the block wall runs along Paseo Verde Parkway between Valle Verde Drive and Carnegie Drive with additional north-south lengths of the wall running along Green Valley Parkway, Valle Verde Drive and Carnegie Drive.

The funds will be paid through a variety of insurance companies for American Nevada and subcontractors who worked on the projects, Canepa said.

None of the involved parties made any admission of liability in the settlement, Canepa said.

John Kilduff, president of American Nevada, confirmed there has been a settlement but said he could not confirm the dollar amount of the settlement.

"We did not acknowledge any liability, but we felt settlement was the preferred route versus protracted litigation with its attendant costs of defense," Kilduff said. "We believe we have an excellent relationship with the master association and look forward to continuing that relationship."

American Nevada is owned by the Greenspun family, owner of the Las Vegas Sun.