Editorial: Reform sales of land

Friday, Feb. 4, 2005 | 9:10 a.m.

Las Vegas Metro Police and a Clark County government auditor are investigating a controversial land deal. The deal in question happened two years ago when the Clark County Aviation Department advertised the sale of 38 acres of airport-managed land for use as a cemetery only. But developer Scott Gragson, a short time after he bought the land for $2 million, sold it for $7 million. Residents in the area near Durango Drive and Warm Springs Road were upset to find out later that the advertised restriction -- effectively limiting its use to a cemetery -- wasn't followed and that a rezoning subsequently permitted commercial development there.

Gragson, who has been a frequent participant in the airport's land exchange and sales program, and Randy Walker, director of the Clark County Aviation Department, have said there was no wrongdoing in the sale. But something certainly was amiss. The land clearly was advertised as being available only for use as a cemetery. It turned out, though, the land was allowed to be used for other commercial purposes.

We hope that the investigations proceed vigorously, including the one by Clark County's auditor that extends to all land sales by the Aviation Department. One thing that is clear is that the Aviation Department shouldn't be in the real estate business. That instead should be overseen by Clark County Manager Thom Reilly and the county department that already handles the sale and acquisition of property. Further, these lands should only be sold through public auctions. This would ensure more transparency, generate more interest by developers and result in the government obtaining higher prices for its land -- all of which would benefit the public.