Wednesday, April 6, 2005 | 11:07 a.m.
The Las Vegas Valley's growth is not expected to slow anytime soon.
That means a wealth of opportunities for engineering and architectural firms angling for government work.
The Las Vegas chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services -- an organization of marketing professionals for architects, engineers and related consulting companies -- held a luncheon Tuesday to link its members with directors and engineers from Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Bechtel Nevada, the Clark County School District, Nellis Air Force Base and other local agencies.
The main topic of discussion among the 75 guests was the Las Vegas Valley's growth and how to keep up with it.
Jory Stewart, director of planning and zoning for North Las Vegas, told a table of guests that the city continues to grow and could really take off once more land becomes available from the Bureau of Land Management auction.
She was asked if North Las Vegas would likely see high-rise buildings similar to the numerous projects planned for Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County and said it is possible, but not for awhile.
"Because land is so high in value they're going for areas that are lower risk," Stewart said. "The perception is we still are riskier. We're not in the initial spotlight."
David Swallow, senior civil engineer for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, said there are a lot of opportunities within his agency as new bus transfer terminals are built in downtown Las Vegas and in North Las Vegas and the Metropolitan Area Express bus-train public transit expands.
"Everyone here is looking for design opportunities," he said.
Tete Klein, coordinator of engineering services for the Clark County Health District, discussed how to become an approved engineer in order to bid on school projects.
It is not difficult to become a member of the list, but companies must complete an application, which must be reviewed and approved, Klein said.
"If you're not on the approved list, I cannot give them work," she said.
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