LV awaits word from Cleveland Clinic

Sito Negron

Friday, March 12, 2004 | 9 a.m.

Las Vegas ought to know within 15 to 20 days whether the Cleveland Clinic will continue its process of deciding whether to start a location at the 61-acre site downtown that is proposed for a medical complex, performing arts center, and urban village, Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday.

At his regular Thursday morning news conference, Goodman said that he didn't want to speak too much on the topic because he's leery of blowing the deal.

"Give me 20 days," Goodman said.

The city is splitting the cost of a $600,000 feasibility study with the clinic. At least a portion of the study is to be done within about a month, and could lead to a memorandum of understanding between the two parties that would mark a new level of discussion on the project.

"We believe they're looking at this critically this month, and we'll hopefully hear from them this month or the end of the next month," said City Manager Doug Selby.

While development of the 61 acres considered a centerpiece of downtown redevelopment efforts is not fully under way, the city has started laying some roads and etching the pattern of infrastructure upon which the project will stand.

The mayor also addressed several other issues at the news conference:

On March 1, Attorney General Brian Sandoval issued an opinion that generally supported the right of public employees to serve as state elected officials, with some exceptions.

Las Vegas has put off creating a policy to regulate under what circumstances its employees may serve as elected officials.

Goodman has said he does not want to be at a "competitive disadvantage" if other cities or government entities have employees who are legislators.

Boggs McDonald has argued that the city ought to make employees choose between their jobs or their office if elected because of the state's separation of powers clause, and because it removes any questions about the employee's possible conflicts.