News briefs for August 19, 2005

Friday, Aug. 19, 2005 | 11 a.m.

NLV wants to lease 40 acres from BLM

North Las Vegas wants to lease 40 acres from the Bureau of Land Management to use as a $27.7 million city park and sports complex.

In June the city filed an application with the BLM, which is processing the request to lease the property at the northeast corner of Centennial Parkway and Statz Street.

The lease would be for 10 years with the city having an option to purchase the land.

North Las Vegas officials said more park space is needed in the community as it continues to grow.

The park is expected to have walking paths, covered picnic areas and playgrounds and lighted softball, baseball and soccer fields. There would also be lighted basketball and tennis courts and a community center with a swimming pool.

The planning and design is expected to take 18 months. As part of the second phase, construction of the recreation center and pool would take 24 months. The third phase of the athletic fields, playgrounds, picnic sites and jogging paths would take 24 months.

The city plans to use its general fund, park bonds and residential construction impact fees to pay for the project.

Accident involving pedestrian probed

North Las Vegas Police are investigating why a pedestrian stepped from a median on Lake Mead Boulevard west of Las Vegas Boulevard North and was struck by a Toyota 4Runner Thursday night.

The Toyota's driver turned left from Las Vegas Boulevard onto Lake Mead shortly before 7 p.m. A man identified as Steven Greig, age unavailable, stepped into the street 35 feet from a marked crosswalk, police said.

Greig was taken to University Medical Center Trauma Unit where he was listed in critical but stable condition Thursday night.

No charges have been filed in the case, police said.

Man burned in apartment fire

A man suffered first and second-degree burns Thursday night after spray paint fumes caught fire in a confined balcony outside his Las Vegas apartment, fire officials said.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue personnel said the man, whose name and age were not released this morning, was spray painting on the second-floor balcony at his apartment in the 5100 block of O'Bannon Drive near South Decatur Boulevard and West Sahara Avenue about 8 p.m. when the fumes somehow ignited and started a small fire.

The balcony was partially enclosed, which firefighters said allowed flammable fumes to accumulate. The flames were confined to the outside of the apartment. Damage was estimated at $1,000.

The man was taken to University Medical Center with burns to his arms, legs and chest.