Goodman pitches idea for LV medical center

Kirsten Searer

Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | 8:16 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was at the Legislature on Tuesday to push the idea for a new teaching hospital in downtown Las Vegas.

Goodman has been working with representatives of the University of Nevada medical school and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on a proposal to partner and build the center, which would offer cutting-edge research and programs such as organ transplants.

"So far it's been a win-win," Goodman said. "Everybody appears to be very positive about the prospect."

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said Goodman indicated he is looking for a revenue stream. Perkins said, however, that he doesn't know if the Legislature can do much to help this session.

But the project, he said, is "an extraordinary idea."

Goodman said the city needs to figure out how to float about $250 million in bonds to cover its part of the project, though the rest of the center and the cost of operations would be paid for by the University of Pittsburgh.

The city has already committed about 8 acres valued at at least $16 million, Goodman said.

Goodman said he didn't specifically ask legislators for money on Tuesday, just pitched the idea.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to have first-class medicine throughout the state," he said, adding that local doctors would have training and teaching opportunities at the center.

Private donors also will pitch in a big chunk of the funds, Goodman said.