Van Epp may oversee 61 acres

Dan Kulin

Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 | 10:10 a.m.

Former Howard Hughes Corp. President Dan Van Epp is talking with top Las Vegas officials about becoming the point man for overseeing development of the city's 61 acres near downtown.

Van Epp, the regional president of development company Newland Communities, met Friday with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, City Manager Doug Selby and City Office of Business Development Director Scott Adams to discuss his possible involvement in the project, Van Epp said.

Goodman said he would like Van Epp to work as an "agent" for the city, negotiating with developers interested in building on the 61 acres.

"He would be guiding us through the process," Goodman said, explaining that Van Epp's role would be similar to that of an attorney who acts on behalf of his client -- in this case the city -- but cannot commit to anything without the client's approval.

As part of a deal to bring Van Epp into the fold, his company would gain development rights for a piece of Union Park, the name for the planned 61-acre development. Goodman said the company would not get any land for free, adding that details of a potential deal probably will be worked out early next week.

The mayor said such a deal would not necessarily need to be approved by the City Council, nor would development agreements for the 61 acres.

But Goodman said if necessary, he would go the council, which he is confident would support any effort to develop the land.

Goodman envisions using the 61 acres for a signature project with an academic medical center, performing arts center, new City Hall, office and residential high rises and a sports stadium.

Van Epp has been one of several prominent businessmen advising the mayor on Union Park. In November, Van Epp joined Goodman and other city and business leaders on a trip to Florida to get a first-hand look at a development by The Related Cos.

Earlier this month, the city and Related broke off more than 10 months of negotiations on Related becoming Union Park's master developer. The potential deal fell through because the company would not agree to promise that construction of three high rises would begin within two years.

The mayor has said Related could still return to build on the property.

"He's been with me since the beginning," Goodman said, referring to Van Epp's advisory role regarding the 61 acres. "I'm hoping we'll be able to work out an arrangement with him. I can't think of anyone better to do it."

While with Howard Hughes, Van Epp oversaw the development of Summerlin, Goodman said.

Newland Communities, Van Epp said, is a San Diego-based development company. Its Web site highlights its experience as a developer of master-planned communities.

Van Epp said his involvement with Union Park would be on behalf of Newland.

Dan Kulin can be reached at 259-8826 or at dan@lasvegassun.com.