LV Council briefs for May 19, 2005

Thursday, May 19, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

McDonald, city work on land deal

Former Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald and city officials will take more time to negotiate a possible deal in which McDonald would buy city-owned land on which he wants to build a senior housing complex.

The City Council voted 5-0 to approve a 90-day extension for the negotiations between McDonald and the city.

Scott Adams, director of the Business Development Office, told the council they wanted the extension because they had just received an appraisal of the land, which is 13.4 acres on the southwest corner of Decatur Boulevard and Vegas Drive. The land was once occupied by a Wonder World shopping center that has since been demolished by the city.

McDonald, who was on the council from 1995 until June 2003, said the appraisal valued the property at $6.4 million. He initially offered $8 million for the property but would not say if that offer is still on the table.

Adams said the appraisal estimated the value of the land at slightly above $6 million.

The city has spent at least $7.6 million buying the property and demolishing buildings on it. McDonald said the taxpayers will get more than what they've invested in the land.

Councilman Michael Mack abstained from the vote, and Mayor Oscar Goodman was not present for the vote.

Action delayed on medical center

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday delayed action on an agreement that would lay the groundwork for continued negotiations for a proposed academic medical center for the city's 61 acres on the west side of downtown.

The council voted 6-0 to postpone until June 1 action on the proposed memorandum of understanding with the University of Nevada School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

City Manager Doug Selby said additional time is needed to deal with some minor word and language changes the parties are discussing, and added that no substantive changes being to the proposed agreement are being requested at this time.

The proposed memorandum of understanding would be a nonbinding agreement between the organizations, but it would signify their intention to negotiate an agreement for their collaboration on a proposed medical center. The proposed memorandum is also generally consistent with a proposal submitted by the Pittsburgh officials last month, which called for the creation of a hospital that would be run by the Pittsburgh center and overseen by a board made up of local officials and representatives from the Pittsburgh school.

Mayor Oscar Goodman was absent for the vote.