Ferraro’s State of the City sees powerfully green future

Friday, Jan. 28, 2005 | 9 a.m.

In his annual State of the City address Thursday, Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro said green energy projects could add cash to the city's coffers.

"Looking toward the future, Boulder City faces many challenges and opportunities," Ferraro said.

One of those opportunities is the Copper Mountain power plant, which could be approved by federal regulators in the next several months.

A new power plant in the energy zone at Eldorado Valley could add $1 million a year in revenue, Ferraro said.

Solargenix, a solar energy project proposed for the energy zone, has asked for an extension from the city to begin building in April after clearing funding hurdles, Ferraro said.

The city is also exploring a wind farm for the energy zone.

Although details are scant, Ferraro said that an experimental track where a major auto manufacturer would test cars may also come to the community 25 miles southeast of Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, an ongoing challenge for the city has been the Boulder Creek Golf Club.

The mayor acknowledged that covering the $1.5 million annual debt payment for the Boulder Creek Golf Club had been a challenge in 2004.

Boulder Creek opened in January 2003 to anticipated profit in its first six months of operation, but instead turned into a financial and political liability.

The course had operating losses near $2.1 million through November 2003.

Ferraro said Boulder Creek's financial picture improved from last year and spring play on the course will determine its success.

Assemblyman Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, said Ferraro's speech was upbeat, and Boulder City Councilman Mike Pacini said he liked the mayor's speech as well.

The mayor singled out many city workers for applause. A crowd of 100 packed city hall and spilled out into the hallways.

Ferraro also commended the city's Urban Design and Forestry Division, which completed the north and south Hotel Plaza parking areas, offering a shaded walkway surrounded by colorful red boulders and flowering shrubs.

The city has also started phase one of Bootleg Canyon Park at a cost of $2.2 million. No city monies fund the project, as it is financed with a Southern Nevada Public Lands Management grant, raised by selling federal parcels around the Las Vegas Valley.

The park went from a botanical garden project to a park with 40 miles of trails that attracted some 21,000 mountain bike enthusiasts last year.

Within months, the city should know if the Southern Bypass of the Boulder City Bypass bridge project has passed the federal Environmental Protection Agency's muster, Ferraro said. After that hurdle, the bridge has to attract federal funds for construction.