Editorial: Time to fish or cut bait

Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 | 8:56 a.m.

A year ago, in what seemed a like a hopeful step forward on developing Union Park, Las Vegas announced it would work with The Related Cos. This is a company formed 30 years ago in New York City that has grown big and impressive. It is a co-developer and partner of the World Market Center downtown. It's a co-developer of the planned Las Ramblas, a $3 billion Las Vegas residential/casino project in which actor George Clooney is an investor. It built the Time Warner Center in New York City and other premier projects around the country.

In its verbal agreement to be the developer of Union Park, which is 61 city-owned acres of former railroad land in downtown Las Vegas, Related Executive Vice President Marty Burger said, "We view the development and planning of Union Park as our company's next great challenge ..."

At the time, it was thought by the city that Related would be submitting a formal development plan within 75 days and that a written agreement would be forthcoming soon afterward. The city had sketched out its general vision -- 23 acres for high-rise residential buildings, 3 1/2 acres for an urban park, five acres for a performing arts center and 18 acres for an academic medical center, with the rest set aside for roads and other open space.

At the end of the 75 days, however, instead of there being a development plan, there was an announcement by the city that Related would have a four-month period, ending this spring, in which it would have "exclusive" rights to negotiate with the city on a design for Union Park.

Spring came and went and still there was no development plan. The city retained its confidence, however, giving Related until Sept. 7 and adding a new City Hall and possibly a baseball stadium to its dream for Union Park. But now we're into October without a plan and even the ever-optimistic Mayor Oscar Goodman is running out of patience. It was Goodman who, just months into his first term in 1999, successfully pushed for the city's purchase of the 61 acres. He said it was the best real estate in the country and began laying out his dreams for what it could become. We have always wished Goodman and City Hall success with the parcel, as downtown should have a big draw in addition to gaming.

On Thursday, Goodman said he wants to see a proposal from Related by Friday -- or else. We agree that it's either fish or cut bait for Related. A year to develop a plan is more than generous. But the "or else" that Goodman threatened is dubious. He and City Manager Doug Selby said the city would go ahead and become its own master developer for the 61 acres. Please, no. This is a job for an experienced developer. If Related doesn't come through, we're confident there are other qualified developers in the country who would jump at the chance to give downtown Las Vegas a new look.